Thomas Houghton  

A prosperous farmer, stock-raiser and landowner in Union township, Marshall County, Thomas Houghton is a native of Rush County, Indiana, born on the 4th of January 1829.

James Houghton, his father, was a pioneer of the township named. He was born in England in 1797, came to the United States when a young man, and locating on a farm in Rush county continued the avocation to which he had been trained, also as a good wagon maker. Here he was married to Miss Hannah Morris, who was born in Ohio, December 8, 1800, and there were nine children of this union, as follows: Phoebe, John, Thomas, Clarissa, Rachael, William, Elvira, Edward and Jefferson, all born in Indiana. The elder Mr. Houghton located in Union township in 1836, when he entered 160 acres of government land; and at once entered upon its improvement. After clearing and putting under the plow a large portion of this tract, he sold the property and purchased a farm near Culver, which remained his homestead until his death; In early life he was a wagon maker, following that trade also while a resident of Rush ounty. For many years he was a member of the Christian church and was altogether a useful, moral and valued member of the community.

Thomas Houghton received his education primarily in the district schools of Union township, although his father took much interest in his mental improvement and taught him how to read. While still a boy he was apprenticed to a harness maker at Plymouth, and after completing his term returned to his father's farm, of which he assumed the management.

His marriage occurred March 27, 1851, to Miss Nancy McCormick Mitchell, daughter of James Mitchell, a Marshall county farmer. Mrs. Houghton died March 18, 1854, leaving two children - Lorenzo and James Egbert. In 1855 Mr. Houghton married Miss Mary Ellen Byrd, a native of Marshall County, and to their union were born four sons - Charles E., Thomas E., John C., and William N. The second Mrs. Houghton passed away April 9, 1875, and on December 13, 1876, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Myers, who was born in Ohio, May 22, 1856, and reared in Marshall county, Indiana.

The present wife is a daughter of Chris Myers, a farmer of Union Township, who was born in Germany and came to Ohio with his parents when he was but two years of age. He was reared and married in that state, his wife being Elizabeth Pontias, a native of Ohio. Mrs. Houghton was reared in Union Township, and received her education in the public schools of that section. The following six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Houghton: Orlando M.; Luther P., deceased; Dennis Ralph; Bertha E.; Effie Leola, deceased; and Cloe Viola, all of whom were born on the old homestead.

Following his first marriage Mr. Houghton removed to the farm upon which he now resides, which at that time consisted of 160 acres, but which now comprises 327 acres, scientifically cultivated and thoroughly improved. He is also the owner of two other farms of 166 acres, all in Union Township. As to his fine homestead, it may be said the Mr. Houghton has cleared about 320 acres of it and made the improvements, which have made it so valuable and attractive as a country home. He is also a valued citizen in his civic relations to the community, having served for seven years as a trustee of Union Township. He is identified with the Masonic order and the I.O.O.F. in Union Township, and he and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Culver, having been heavy contributors in the erection of the beautiful church in Culver.

A Twentieth Century History of Marshall County, Indiana. Chicago: (The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908). McDonald, Daniel. pg. 434-5