Adam Huston Biography Contributed by Jan Cortez

Adam Huston, one of the earliest settlers of Oceana County, was born at Sanford, York Co., Maine, Dec. 1, 1816. He was one of a family of eight children, only one of whom is now living, Frances, widow of Benjamin Linscott, who now lives at Flower Creek, this county. Mr. Huston's early life was spent with his parents upon their farm. In 1852 he first came to Oceana County and located on Sec. 27, Claybanks. It is needless to call attention to the fact that at any time this county was an almost unbroken wilderness and that it fell to his lot to endure his share of the trials and privations of those pioneer days. He continued to reside there until his death, which occurred June 6, 1886, on the farm he located and cleared. He died of heart disease, from which he had suffered for several years. That old pioneer preacher, Rev. A.A. Darling, preached the funeral sermon from II Timothy, 4:7, and his remains now rest in Mount Hope cemetery, Claybanks. He was a member of the Methodist Church and a conscientious Christian. In politics he affiliated with the republicans. Mr. Huston cut and put in the first logs that were ever run down White River. He was known as a hard working man, public spirited and enterprising. He took a great interest in the establishment and maintenance of good schools and similar concerns. Dec. 8, 1836, Mr. Huston was married to Miss Eliza A. Lord, at Boston, Mass. Mrs. Huston was born at POrtland, Maine, Nov. 8, 1814. She came to this Co. with her husband and shared with him in making a home for themselves and family in the woods. Among the incidents of those times one is especially remembered, not because of the harm that came of it, but because of the fact that harm was escaped where dangers were all around. In 1854 while out berrying she became lost in the woods where now is the northeast corner of Grant, and remained out all night, the woods being full of wolves, bears, and even panthers. At the breaking out of the war the love of her country ruled her and she said to three brave boys, "go". Alas! only one returned. She still lives, at present residing with her daughter, Mrs. H. Myers, at Cranston. Mr. and Mrs. Huston were the parents of seven children, Lucy E., now Mrs. Buell, residing at Muskegon; William H., John, Phebe E., Orin E., Chas. F., and Julia O., now Mrs. Myers, residing at Cranston. Orin E. and Chas. F. reside at Flower Creek, and Wm. H. and John sleep on Southern battle fields. Such is a very brief sketch of the lives of tow of Ocean County's pioneers. Though they never trod the halls of princes or tickled the ears of a vain world with fine speeches, yet their lives are eloquent. Eloquent with good works and good results of honest labor; and when we look around us and behold the material prosperity we enjoy, let us not foget that to such as these we owe it.