Representative from Taylor county, was born February 24, 1847, in Atchison county, Missouri, of American parentage. Moved to Madison county, Iowa, in 1848, to Cass county in 1852 and to Taylor county in 1855, where he has since resided. Enlisted in 1863 in the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry and in the Eighth Cavalry, but was rejected in both on account of youth. Enlisted January 1, 1864, in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry and was discharged July 5, 1865. Became a plainsman and later returned and went to school at different times for several years. Married December 22, 1866. Has been farmer, stock raiser, horticulturist, nursery man and was for twenty-five years secretary of the Southwestern Iowa Horticultural Society and at two different times secretary of the State Horticultural Society and for several years each time, and, later, for three years was Secretary of Agriculture of Iowa. Was local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church and later went to Alaska as special agent of the treasury department, and for more than two years was in the revenue service in Alaska, and after returning spent some time in the Canadian country. Has traveled extensively and at different times lectured on travels and other subjects. At various times has been engaged in newspaper work and is now engaged in editorial work and real estate and exchange business at Lenox, near which place he settled many years before Lenox was started. In 1891 was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant-Governor. Elected Representative in 1895and re-elected in 1897, serving during the Twenty-sixth, Twenty-sixth extra and Twenty-seventh General Assemblies. Elected Representative again in 1906. A Republican in politics.

He was born in Atchison county, Missouri, February 24, 1847. He moved to Madison county, Iowa, in 1848, and to Cass county about four years later. He has lived in Taylor county since April, 1855. He enlisted in the 29th Iowa Infantry, in 1863, but was rejected. Enlisted in 8th Cavalry, but was rejected. January 1, 1864, enlisted at Otterville, Missouri, in Company E, 4th Missouri State Mounted Cavalry, and was mustered and came out July 5, 1865, at St. Louis. He returned home and then went west. He then returned home and went to school. In 1866 he went to the territory then recently acquired of the Indians, now part of Kansas, returning through Missouri. He was married to Miss Selina A. Jenks, December 23, 1866. Seven daughters and five sons have blessed the union; all are living. Mr. Van Houten has been engaged in farming, teaching school and stock-raising. He has been engaged in newspaper work several times, and has been a correspondent and contributor for the press for many years, writing on many subjects. He was appointed treasurer of Taylor county in 1884. Had served as deputy for Mr. King, who defaulted, and was appointed to succeed him. He was nominated to fill vacancy, but defeated in the election by his competitor in late contest for member of the Legislature. He was a candidate for lieutenant-governor in 1891, with Mr. Wheeler, and advocated the principles of Republicanism throughout that campaign, generally speaking twice a day. He has generally taken part in other campaigns for many years, except one year when not in the United States. He has always been a Republican. He has attained to the council degrees in Masonry and has held the office of W. M. and most others below. He belongs to the O. E. S. In Odd Fellowship he has held the rank of C. P. and K. G. and lower offices. He is also a member of the Grange and has held most elective offices in the subordinate organization. He is a member of the G. A. R. and S. of V., and was colonel of the Iowa Division in 1891-2. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and other organizations. Mr. Van Houten is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and holds a local preacher's license.

He was born in Atchison county, Missouri, February 24, 1847. He moved to Madison county, Iowa, in 1848, and to Cass county about four years later. He has lived in Taylor county since April, 1855. He enlisted in the 29th Iowa Infantry, in 1863, but was rejected. Enlisted in 8th Cavalry, but was rejected. January 1, 1864, enlisted at Otterville, Missouri, in Company E, 4th Missouri State Mounted Cavalry, and was mustered and came out July 5, 1865, at St. Louis. He returned home and then went west. He then returned home and went to school. In 1866 he went to the territory then recently acquired of the Indians, now part of Kansas, returning through Missouri. He was married to Miss Selina A. Jenks, December 23, 1866. Seven daughters and five sons have blessed the union; all are living. Mr. Van Houten has been engaged in farming, teaching school and stock-raising. He has been engaged in newspaper work several times, and has been a correspondent and contributor for the press for many years, writing on many subjects. He was appointed treasurer of Taylor county in 1884. Had served as deputy for Mr. King, who defaulted, and was appointed to succeed him. He was nominated to fill vacancy, but defeated in the election by his competitor in late contest for member of the Legislature. He was a candidate for lieutenant-governor in 1891, with Mr. Wheeler, and advocated the principles of Republicanism throughout that campaign, generally speaking twice a day. He has generally taken part in other campaigns for many years, except one year when not in the United States. He has always been a Republican. He has attained to the council degrees in Masonry and has held the office of W. M. and most others below. He belongs to the O. E. S. In Odd Fellowship he has held the rank of C. P. and K. G. and lower offices. He is also a member of the Grange and has held most elective offices in the subordinate organization. He is a member of the G. A. R. and S. of V., and was colonel of the Iowa Division in 1891-2. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and other organizations. Mr. Van Houten is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and holds a local preacher's license.