- G. A. HOUSTON, Superintendent MERRILL & HOUSTON Iron
Works; came to Beloit from
- New Hampshire, his native State, in October, 1838; his father,
John P. HOUSTON, came to Beloit in 1837, but did not bring his
family here until 1838; he was a wagon-maker and millwright;
the first wagon, buggy and plow manufactured here were made by
him, and he was engaged as millwright in the construction of
the first flouring-mill in this section; he still survives to
see extensive manufactories in place of the primitive shops and
mills which in an early day supplied the wants of the people.
G. A. HOUSTON was for several years extensively engaged in bridge-building,
principally for railway companies; for about ten years carried
on flouring mills; for two years engaged in lumbering; in 1869,
he designed the turbine water-wheel, now being extensively manufactured
by the MERRILL & HOUSTON Iron Works; this is one of the most
popular wheels manufactured; it is used at the Rock Island Arsenal,
and the sales extend throughout North and South America, Europe,
etc.; since 1869, Mr. HOUSTON has devoted his attention almost
exclusively to manufacturing business.
-
- Taken from "The History of Rock County, Wis."
(c)1879, p. 753.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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