John W. Houston Explained

John W. Houston
State:Delaware
District:at-large
Term Start:March 4, 1845
Term End:March 3, 1851
Predecessor:George B. Rodney
Successor:George R. Riddle
Birth Date:4 May 1814
Birth Place:Concord, Delaware
Death Place:Georgetown, Delaware
Party:Whig
Democratic
Residence:Georgetown, Delaware
Alma Mater:Yale College
Profession:Lawyer

John Wallace Houston (May 4, 1814 – April 26, 1896) was an American lawyer and politician from Georgetown, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party and the Democratic Party, and served as U.S. Representative from Delaware and a Justice of Delaware Superior Court.

Early life and family

Houston was born on May 4, 1814, in Concord, Delaware, attended the country schools and Newark Academy, and graduated from Yale College in 1834. While at Yale he was initiated into one of the earliest gatherings of the Skull and Bones society.[1] He studied law in Dover, Delaware, and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1837. He then moved to Georgetown, Delaware, in 1839 and commenced the practice of law. He was a slaveholder.[2]

Professional and political career

Houston was Secretary of State of Delaware from 1841 to 1844, and was elected as a Whig to the 29th, 30th, and 31st Congress, serving from March 4, 1845, to March 3, 1851. While in the House he was chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds for the 30th Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1850, and was appointed associate judge of the Delaware Superior Court on May 4, 1855, retiring in 1893. Houston was a member of the Peace Conference of 1861, held in Washington, D.C., in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending Civil War.

Death and legacy

Houston died at Georgetown, and is buried in the Lewes Presbyterian Church cemetery at Lewes, Delaware. His nephew, Robert G. Houston, was also a U.S. Representative from Delaware.

See also

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.

Public offices
OfficeTypeLocationBegan officeEnded officeNotes
U.S. RepresentativeLegislatureWashingtonMarch 4, 1845March 3, 1851
Associate JusticeJudiciaryGeorgetownMay 4, 18551893Delaware
United States congressional service
DatesCongressChamberMajorityPresidentCommitteesClass/District
1845–184729thU.S. HouseDemocraticJames K. Polkat-large
1847–184930thU.S. HouseWhigJames K. PolkPublic Buildings and Groundsat-large
1849–185131stU.S. HouseDemocraticZachary Taylor
Millard Fillmore
at-large
Election results
YearOfficeSubjectPartyVotes%OpponentPartyVotes%
1844U.S. RepresentativeJohn W. HoustonWhig6,22951%George R. RiddleDemocratic6,02349%
1846U.S. RepresentativeJohn W. HoustonWhig6,25451%John I. DilworthDemocratic6,00749%
1848U.S. RepresentativeJohn W. HoustonWhig6,63050%William G. WhiteleyDemocratic6,02649%
1852U.S. RepresentativeJohn W. HoustonWhig6,36044%George R. RiddleDemocratic6,69250%

References

Places with more information

website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161.
Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Fleshing Out Skull and Bones: Investigations into America's Most Powerful Secret Society . Trine Day . Millegan, Kris . 2003 . Walterville, OR . 597–690 . 0-9720207-2-1 . The Skeleton Crew. "This list is compiled from material from the Order of Skull and Bones membership books at Sterling Library, Yale University and other public records. The latest books available are the 1971 Living members and the 1973 Deceased Members books. The last year the members were published in the Yale Banner is 1969."
  2. News: Weil . Julie Zauzmer . Blanco . Adrian . Dominguez . Leo . More than 1,800 congressmen once enslaved Black people. This is who they were, and how they shaped the nation. . April 16, 2022 . Washington Post . January 10, 2022. Updated April 12, 2022.