The Princeton union., 1915-08-26
Hon. William H. Houlton

mic to be no exception.
Hon. William H. Houlton.
Hon. W. H. Houlton, for almost
fifty years leading citizen of Elk
River and Sherburne county, died
rather suddenly OH Monday after
noon. Although his health had
been failing for years his friends did
not imagine that the end was so
near. He had been out riding at
noon on the day of his death. >~~
Mr.. Houlton was a man of positive
convictions. and strong likes and dis
likes, had many warm and devoted
friends and, naturally enough, some
who were not his friends. Those
who knew him best liked him best.
But all must admit that he was
straightforward, progressive busi-
ness man, and contributed great
deal to the upbuilding of Elk River
and ,Sherburne county.
To the Star-News we are indebted
for the following biographical sketch
of Mr.. Houlton
"Born in Houlton, Maine, March
29th, 1910, Mr.. Houlton was reared
in agricultural pursuits, receiving
good common school education. His
mother died when he was three years
old, and in 1854 he moved with his
father to Illinois, and two years later
came to Monticello, Minn., remain
ing there until he was of age.
"Mr. Houlton enlisted in the
Eighth Minnesota Volunteer In
fantry in 1862, and spent three
years fighting the Indians in the Bad
Lands of North Dakota. After the
Indian war he went south with the
regiment and participated in num-
ber of engagements, his enlistment
expiring with the end of the war.
He later wrote a narrative of the
Eighth Minnesota for the volume,
Minnesota in the Civil and Indian
Wars, published by the state under
an act of the legislature Of 1889.
Mr.. Houlron was member of
Rogers Post G.. A. r., and always
maintained a lively interest in that
organization. -~
Returning to Monticello in
August: 1865, Mr.. Houlton was soon
after elected register of deeds, but
resigned the next spring and came
to Elk River where he engaged in
the mercantile business with his
brother, Horatio Houlton. He later
became interested in the -four and
saw mills at upper town and was Che
active manager of these enterprises
for many years. About fifteen years
ago he founded Houlton's Bank which
later became the First National
Bank, of which he has served as
president. Mr.. Houlton built sever
al of the fine business blocks of
which Elk River has reason to be
proud and they stand as monuments
to his energy and patriotic pride in
his home town.
''Always taking an active interest
in public affairs Mr.. Houlton served
as county treasurer for six years
during the seventies, and in 1878 he
was elected to the state senate from
the 30th district, composed of Sher-
burne, Benton. Morrison, Grow Wing
and Mile Lacs counties. and served
in the 30th legislative session. In
1883 he was again elected to- the
senate from the 33rd district, COM
posed of Sherburne and Wright
counties. In later years he was at
st. Cloud as superintendent of the
state reformatory, but aside from
that he always made Elk River his
home. While in the legislature he
was chairman of the temperanc COM
mittee that passed the local option
law, and was largely responsible for
its passage. .--. :-'- 49,"
'Mr. Houlton was married on the
3rd day of March, 1870, to Miss
Freddie Lewis of Monticello, and
she survives him, together with
three children. Sam R., Ruth and
Lewis, all residing at Elk River"
Beware of Patent Cholera Remedies.
s h@os -. IL l.