Joshua Houston

The Handbook of Texas dates his public offices. Huntsville appointed Joshua Houston alderman in 1867 and again in 1870, and voters elected him a Walker County commissioner in 1878 and 1882. In 1888 he was in the Texas delegation to the Republican National Convention. In 1867 he served on the board of the Union Church, the town's first Black church, and he later served as a deacon at First Baptist, organized in 1869. He also promoted Bishop Ward College, opened in 1883, and was buried beside his wife Sylvester a few yards from Sam Houston.

What the plaque says

Joshua Houston (c. 1822-January 8, 1902) Born a slave and reared on the Alabama plantation of the Lea family, Joshua Houston was brought to Texas in 1840 by Margaret Lea and Sam Houston. During the years after the Civil War, he became a prominent businessman and respected community leader. He served as a Huntsville city alderman, Walker County commissioner and delegate to the Republican National Convention. Houston was a devoted supporter of education for African Americans. Married three times, he was the father of eight children. At his death he was interred near General Sam Houston. RECORDED-2000

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site — 31 mi
  A cedar-log dogtrot cabin of 1834 on the road through Anderson that grew into a seventeen-room inn and post office for travelers of the Republic, kept by one family until 1976.

More markers nearby

• Baker, James Addison — steps away
• Besser, General John Slater — steps away
• Ball, The Rev. Thomas H. — steps away
• Pleasant Williams Kittrell — steps away