Biographical Sketch of

Charles Houghton

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 516 - 517


Nature and her phenomena make every man a student, but it is only those who follow agriculture as a pursuit who are 
closely linked with her many forms.  They have the opportunity to observe her every change, and take advantage of the 
more propitious ones.  In the pursuit of this calling the gentleman above named has met with success, and only through 
keen observance and earnest efforts.  He has been a resident of Adams township, Adams county, for thirty years and in 
that time has witnessed the growth and development of that region and assisted it to its present high plane.  He had 
naught with which to begin, aside from a courageous heart and willing mind, and a good physique, and is now one of the 
substantial men of his community.  Mr. Houghton was born at Lyndon, Caledonia county, Vermont, January 26, 1833, and 
was the son of Horace and Adeline (Balch) Houghton, natives of Vermont.  His father was a carpenter by trade, and went 
to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, in 1839, where he remained until his death in 1849.  The mother died in 1884 and is 
buried in Kenosha.

Our subject came to Wisconsin with his parents when six years of age, going with teams from Vermont to St. Joe, 
Michigan, thence by boat to Chicago.  He attended the public schools and received a good education.  At the age of 
twenty he learned the trade of iron molder at Kenosha and worked there until 1861.  In that year he enlisted in 
Company A,  McClellan Dragoons,  and served as body guard for General McClellan.  He later enlisted in the Twelfth 
Illinois Cavalry, and became a member of Company H.  He saw service at Gettysburg, and was under Burnside, Hooker and 
Meade.  He was discharged in 1866, his being the last regiment mustered out of service.  For about three years after 
he left the service he worked at his trade in Kenosha, and in 1869 came to Adams township, Adams county, and purchased 
two hundred acres of land.  It was almost all wild land, and the only dwelling was a log cabin.  He now has seventy 
acres under cultivation, and has erected a comfortable house and good barns, and engages in general farming.  For a 
number of years after he took up his residence in Adams county, he went to the city to work at his trade during the 
winter months.  For three years he worked for the Esterly Harvester Works, at Whitewater, Wisconsin, which furnished 
him lucrative employment for the winter and early spring and permitted him to work the farm during the farming season.

Mr. Houghton was married in 1866 to Elizabeth Park, daughter of Elisha Park, of Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Mrs. Houghton 
died November 20, 1894, and rests at Friendship, Wisconsin.  Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Houghton as 
follows: Jennie and Horace H., residing at home.  The son was married September 30, 1894, to Lena Iveson, Daughter of 
Henry and Cynthia Iveson, of Adams township.

Mr. Houghton is a member of Badger Post, No. 122, G. A. R., at Friendship.  He is a Republican in political sentiment, 
but does not take an active part in politics.  He is interested in the welfare of his township and county, and is one 
of the loyal men of Wisconsin, and enjoys the respect of his entire community.


Transcribed by Robert Schieber






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