Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 4. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 7.
 
J. G. HOUSER

     Modern agriculture requires for its development an efficiency and a
thorough knowledge which amounts almost to a science. It is becoming recognized
as an occupation in which practical methods result in a high degree of
prosperity. J. G. Houser in the cultivation of forty acres of land on the middle
fork of the Coquille river, Coos county, Oregon, exemplifies the truth of this
statement. He was born in North Carolina in 1871 and is the son of Evander and
Sarah (Potter) Houser, both natives of South Carolina. They moved to the state
in which their son was born at an early date and their marriage occurred there.
They made North Carolina their place of residence until they came to Oregon in
1879, settling on the site where the village of Bridge now stands. Their
original location was made on the middle fork of the Coquille river and here the
father proved up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres and was
successful in the cultivation and improvement of the soil for six years. He
later moved to Coos county, where he spent twelve years in ranching,
subsequently re-purchasing his old farm at Bridge. and bringing it to a high
state of cultivation before he disposed of his property. He bought the Jinkins
ranch in the same vicinity and this is still his home. His wife died in 1910.
The elder Mr. Houser is one of the representative and flourishing agriculturists
of Coos county and carries on his farming along modern and progressive
principles. He became the father of nine children: Mrs. Mary Machado, of Myrtle
Point; J. G., the subject of this review; Maggie, who is deceased; Mrs. Florence
Warner of Myrtle Creek, Oregon; Laura, the widow of Thomas Rookard of Myrtle
Creek; Finas and Inez, twins, the latter of whom resides in Bridge, Oregon;
Edna, who has passed away; and Josie, who lives at home.
     Mr. Houser received his education in Coos county and remained at home until
his marriage, at the age of twenty-four years. At that time he obtained
employment in a logging camp and worked at lumbering until 1910. During this
time he invested in Coos county farm lands, buying forty acres upon the middle
fork of the Coquille river near bridge. He has now abandoned all connection with
the logging industry and is giving his entire attention to his farm and is one
of the representative and enterprising agriculturists of Coos county.
     Mr. Houser's marriage occurred on the 27th of April, 1895, when he wedded
Miss Josie Pierce. Her father was one of the early settlers of Oregon, living
practically all his life on Coos bay, where he died in 1906. He was survived by
his wife until 1912, when her death occurred. They were the parents of eight
children: Eva, who is married and lives in Portland, Oregon; Frank, now residing
on his father's homestead in Coos county; Emmett, who makes his home in
Marshfield, Oregon; Josie, the wife of our subject; Mrs. Edna Duckett, who lives
on the north fork of the Coos river; Mrs. Bertha Parks, of California; and Katie
and Clevie, deceased.  Mrs. Houser is a member of the Christian church.  She is
the mother of six children:  Harry, whose birth occurred in 1898; Edith, born in
1900; Archie, who passed away when he was four years of age; Olis, who died when
he was three years old; Virgie, whose birth occurred in 1904; and Clara, who
died in infancy.
     In his political affiliations Mr. Houser is a consistent republican and
always votes the party ticket. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America,
holding membership in the lodge at Marshfield, Oregon. He was one of the
organizers of the Myrtle Point Lodge of Woodmen but has transferred his
membership. He is one of the many farmers in Coos county who are carrying on
agriculture along practical lines and has met with fair success.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.