John H. Houssels, proprietor of the Linden Trade Palace, was born November 23, 1861, in Perry County, Tenn., and is one of seven children born to Robert and Docia (Young) Houssels. The parents, who are both still living, were born in Germany, and Perry County, Tenn., respectively. The father came to Tennessee when about twenty years old, and worked as a day laborer. By frugality, industry and good business management he has amassed considerable property. He built up and now controls the tanning industry of the county, owning the large steam tanneries near Mouse Tail Landing, in Perry County. At the age of sixteen our subject accepted a clerkship in a Linden store, in which his father had an interest, and there continued until 1880. He dealt in stock about one year, and then engaged in the wholesale hide and heather business in Evansville, Ind., under the firm name of Houssels & Klein. They disposed of their business at the end of about one year, and our subject returned to Linden and purchased Houssels & Webb's stock of general merchandise, but a year hater sold to G. L. Harris & Son, after which he engaged in the peanut and live stock trade until the fall of 1884. He visited Texas during the winter of that year and the summer of 1885, then returned, and again embarked in merchandising, moving into his present commodious business room in January, 1886. His stock amounts to about $8,000. June 20, 1881, Mr. Houssels wedded Gussie Humphreys, of Franklin County, Ark., and two children have blessed their union: Robert Clyde and Claud McIlroy. In 1886 he became a candidate for trustee of Perry County against J. P. Beasley, who had served two terms, having no opposition in his election. It was generally conceded it would be impossible to defeat him, as he had made a strictly first-class officer; therefore our subject's entering the lists against him was quite an undertaking for a boy like himself. The race was quite exciting and resulted in the election of Mr. Houssels by fifty-five majority.