W. H. Houpt 53 rd anniversary in Texas 1949
This might interest someone--not related and no other information.
ontague County Newspaper Clipping Scrapbooks at the Bowie Public Library
Nocona News or the Bowie newspaper
Friday, July 8, 1949
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. HOUPT
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. HOUPT will celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary today July 8 with open house for their many friends at their home 5 ½ miles southeast of Nocona.
Mr. Houpt and his wife, 90 and 70 years of age respectively, have lived on their 408 acre farm since 1915. Their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. AYRES, reside with them and have for many years. Mr. Ayres is overseer of the farm.
Mr. Houpt came to Montague County in 1879 from Randolph County, Arkansas. He first located north of Bonita, later moved to a farm south of present location. He lived there 7 years then moved to the present farm.
Mr. Houpt married in 1889 to MISS MARY DOSHIER at Sandy Mound east of Nocona. Mrs. Houpt lived only two years after their marriage. They had one son, WILL HOUPT, who resides five miles east of Nocona.
In 1896, Mr. Houpt and MISS LILIAN RAYLS of Tennesee were married at the Fox community 6 miles southeast of Nocona. They lost their first child, a son, infancy then another son, JAMES ARTHUR HOUPT, passed away 6 years ago.
They recall many incidents in changes since they settled in the community. Mr. Houpt helped build the MKT Railroad through this section and stated when he first came, there was only open prairie and in place, large oak trees with no undergrowth. In those days Saint Jo was the busiest town in the county and was known as “The Head of the Elm.”
Cotton and all farm products were taken by wagon to Gainesville and marketed. Many men were killed here then, a man’s best friend was his gun, which he always carried with him for protection. It was something to talk about if Christmas passed and no one was killed at Spanish Fort.
Mr. Houpt told of hardships that he encountered as a boy in Arkansas during and after the Civil War.
Some of their neighbors in the early days whom he mentioned with pride were CASH LANGFORD, JOSH HOWARD, ANCE HOWARD, ANDY PARSONS, JOHN PARSONS, JAMES WELLS (with whom Mr. Houpt came from Cooke County to Montague County), JOHN BURROUGHS / BURROWS, J. W. DOSHIER, JOHN SIMMONS and J. W. CRENSHAW, all deceased.
Mr. Houpt engaged many years in raising cotton and corn and stated the average yield for cotton was ½ to ¾ bale to the ace and on good bottom land, he raised a bale per acre.
When he first came to Bonita, he worked for JAMES WELLS splitting rails to fence the farms since they had no barbed wire in those days. He worked for $13.00 per month and his room and board and fared well.
Mr. and Mrs. HOUPT are members of the Missionary Baptist Church and have been since early life. He has been a deacon in their church for 40 years. They attend church regularly at Starkey one mile south of their home.
When asked what their hobbies were, Mrs. Houpt laughed and stated that Mr. Houpt had rather go than do anything else. She said it didn’t matter in which direction, he was always ready. Her health will not permit her accompanying her husband on many trips. They visit their neighbors and spend much time listening to the radio. She raises many varieties of flowers and enjoys doing needlework.
These two wholesome people deserve a gala celebration today when 53 years of wedded bliss will be observed in their home with relatives and friends calling to offer congratulations.
(There is a photo of the couple on the page.)