john houston was born to samuel j. and sarah h. (nieves) houston on a farm near the small town of formoso in jewell county, kansas, in september 1890. his father was a wealthy businessman who owned a lumber yard. he attended public school in wichita, kansas, from the first to fifth grade. he then entered st. john's military school in salina, kansas, graduating in 1905 after two years. he graduated fairmount college (now known as wichita state university) in wichita, kansas, in 1906, having focused on business administration.