Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers. "An Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties") Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1905. p. 1043. JOHN V. HOUSTON proprietor of a thriving restaurant and the Houston opera house in Klamath Falls, is one of the prominent and well known business men who have achieved a marked success here. He was born in a little log cabin near South English, formerly Houston's Point in Keokuk county, Iowa. His father, James H. Houston, was born in Indiana, married in Iowa and settled in Keokuk county and in very early day, came to Oregon. He participated in the Rogue river Indian war and later returned east and followed the hotel business in South English, Iowa. Then he came west and bought an interest with his sons in the business in Klamath Falls, where he continued until his death. He had married Miss Elizabeth J. Tate, a native of Indiana. Our subject accompanied his parents to Nodaway county, Missouri where his mother died, then he came with his father to Leadville, Colorado in 1878 where the former engaged in mining. Our subject had received a line common school education, and then he began to learn the newspaper business, serving first on the Leadville Herald. For eight years he was engaged on that paper, then with his partner, Hon. James Little, established the Meeker Herald, at Meeker, Colorado, the year being 1885. They built up a good circulation and made the sheet very prosperous, then he sold to his partner and was appointed postmaster at Meeker. Later, he engaged in the printing business, but owing to ill health, sold his entire interest and came west. He finally landed in Klamath Falls and here engaged in business with his brother, Jabe A., under the firm name of Houston Brothers. This was in 1894. His father came on west, afterwards bought the brother's interest and the firm was changed to J. H. Houston and Son. In 1897, they erected the Houston Opera House and on the death of his father, on December 18, 1901, he took entire charge of the business and has successfully continued it since. He has a fine large property well located in the center of the town and owns other property, including the opera house recently erected at Merrill, Oregon. He is one of the prominent citizens here and has been a very faithful laborer in building up the country and bringing in me prosperity that is enjoyed here at this time. Mr. Houston is a public spirited man and takes a keen interest in politics and everything that tends to build up and forward the country. On December 24, 1882, in Leadville, Colorado, Mr. Houston married Miss Mae McClarren, a native of Ohio. Three children have been born to this union, Thomas Merle, Edna May and Elizabeth Ellen. Mr. Houston has one sister, Mrs. Celia B. Roberts, of Mullan, Idaho. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.