George S. Houston

George Smith Houston (* January 17, 1811 in Williamson County, Tennessee, † December 31, 1879 in Athens, Alabama ) was an American politician (Democratic Party), who represented the state of Alabama in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. He was also the 24th governor.

Early years and political rise

1811 Houston family moved to Lauderdale County, Alabama, where he attended the Lauderdale County Academy. He studied with the late Judge George Colater law in Florence and then completed his studies at the Boyle 's Law School in Harrodsburg in Kentucky. He was admitted as an attorney 1831st Houston began his political career in 1832 with the election to the House of Representatives of Alabama. After he was elected Solicitor, an office which he held until 1841. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives then, where he worked from 1841 to 1849 and from 1851 to 1861. Due to the secession of Alabama, he resigned in 1861. After the American Civil War he was in 1866 elected to the U.S. Senate, but Alabama was denied representation. He was also in 1866 a delegate to the National Union Convention.

Governor of Alabama

On November 3, 1874 Houston was elected the 24th Governor of Alabama, and sworn in on 24 November 1874. He was subsequently re-elected in 1876 and was the full term until 1878 in office. During his tenure, the new Constitution of Alabama in 1875 ratified the public school system was reorganized and Alabama Health Authority (Alabama State Board of Health) was founded. At the end of his tenure, he initiated a tax rebate and brought government spending under control.

Further CV

Houston was elected in August 1878 in the U.S. Senate, where he served until his death on December 31, 1879. He was buried in the cemetery of Athens. He was married twice and that with Mary I. Beatty, as well as with Ellen Irvine. The result of these compounds were ten children.