|
|
|
James Wilson HOUSTON February 25, 1866 - August 14, 1947
After four girls, and one son who died in infancy, James Wilson Houston was the first son to survive childhood. Being the oldest, James had to quit school in the second grade to help his father on the farm, on which he remained for quite some time. James received 60 acres from his father, and lived in a house on that property. In 1896 James, at 30 years of age, married Dellah JOHNSON from Illinois. They worked the farm, and had a difficult time. After a couple of dry years, he drove a horse and buggy into Dallas (about 10 miles as the crow flies) and became a carpenter. Their two daughters, Jessica and Nina were born in their home there on the Houston property. James took care of his Mother Mary until she died in 1905. After that he believed business in Dallas was better and the farm was sold to George Anderson Denton, his brother and law, and the family moved to 2917 N. Haskell. Along with his younger brother, Sam, James opened a Wagon Yard next to the Jefferson Hotel, across from the Union Station. The business went broke, perhaps because of automobile was becoming the preferred mode of transportation. About 1917 he bought a grocery store on the corner of Haskell & Keating, adding a cafe later. Dellah ran the cafe. He also became a night watchman at the American Paint Company. (The grocery store and cafe were demolished for the new Central Expressway being built in the late 40's). James also became a landscaper. James was tall, probably about 6'2" and always kept his weight under control. As with all of the children, high blood pressure was a problem, and he had a stroke. His final years were spent in Terrell State Hospital where he died. His two daughters, Jessica Sanger Houston (her middle name was from the Sanger Department Store in Dallas) and Nina Birdie Houston both raised their families in Dallas. Nina married Lewis Radford and in 1929 went to work for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, where after almost 45 years she retired in December of 1974.
|
