Roster Page - 180

Frank Edward Houghton

• Father: Silas Houghton b. 18 Jan 1810, d. 10 Jul 1882
• Mother: Susan B. Coffran b. 7 Aug 1815, d. 1896

• Company: C

• Frank Edward Houghton was born on 28 Oct 1843 at Berlin, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Silas Houghton and Susan B. Coffran, grandson of Silas and Lucy (Farnsworth) Houghton, and a descendant of John Houghton, of Lancaster (1624 - 1684).
• Frank Edward Houghton was enumerated in the household of Silas Houghton and Susan B. Coffran in the 1860 US Federal Census on 28 Jul 1860 at Harvard P. O., Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Silas HOUGHTON, 50, butcher, $2000 real estate, $700 personal estate, b. MA
  Susan, 45, b. NH
  **Frank, 17, winder, b. MA
  Joseph, 8, b. MA
  (Note: Silas Houghton appears to own a boarding house in addition to his butcher occupation. He is in the head-of-household position in the enumeration, and after his family there are some 20 young women enumerated between the ages of 19 and 25, born either in MA or Ireland. They all have various jobs in the fabric mill. Two younger men are enumerated, William Merrill, 20, and George Wood, 19, who also appear to work in the mill. There is an older man, Richard Cowen, 45, who is a painter, and a Margaret Dewyer, 45, who is a servant, b. in Ireland.).
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Frank gave his occupation as butcher.
• In 1861 Frank was living at Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 Frank mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 17 years, 8 months and 14 days old.
• On 12 Nov 1862 Frank ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts to reenlist in Battery I of the 1st U. S. Light Artillery for the balance of his contracted term with the 15th Massachusetts.
  
  
• He died on 24 Jun 1864 at St. Mary's Church, Virginia, killed in action. He was 20 years, 7 months and 27 days old.
• He was buried in 1864 at West Cemetery, Bolton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• On 5 Jun 1877, Frank Edward Houghton, his nephew and son of Joseph C. Houghton, was named for Frank Edward Houghton, his uncle who had died in the war.
• On 10 Jul 1882 his father, Silas Houghton, died at Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 72.
• On 1 Nov 1886 Susan B. Coffran received a pension to surviving family member based on Frank's service; his mother, received certificate number 204163.
• In 1896, Frank was included in "The History of Clinton, Massachusetts" as follows:

  Frank E. Houghton, who had been transferred to Rickett's Battery, U. S. A., was killed at St. Mary's Church, June 24th, and it should here be noted that Rickett's Battery, to which he and his two comrades (Henry A. Putnam, p. 639, and James O. Howard, p. 641) of the Fifteenth had been transferred, had been continually with the Army of the Potomac and had participated in it's battles.

• Last Edited: 29 Jul 2009

Henry Houghton

• Father: Philip Houghton
• Mother: Alice [--?--] b. 1820

• Company: D

• Henry Houghton was born between 1839 - 1840 at England, son of Philip Houghton and Alice [--?--].
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Henry gave his occupation as machinist.
  
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 Henry mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• On 21 Oct 1861 Henry was taken prisoner at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia.
• On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Houghton was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
• On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Houghton was listed as a prisoner at Richmond.
• On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Houghton was listed among the prisoners taken at Ball's Bluff.
• In 1862, Henry was released from prison.
• He was declared missing in action on 3 Jul 1863 at The Battle of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
• On 22 Jul 1863 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Houghton was reported as missing at Gettysburg.
• On 15 Jan 1864 Henry was promoted to Sergeant.
• On 5 Feb 1864, Henry was reenlisted as a Sergeant, having received a bounty of $325.
• On 12 May 1864 Henry Houghton was wounded at The Battle of Spotsylvania, Virginia.
• On 25 May 1864 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Houghton was mentioned among the casualties.
• On 1 Jun 1864 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Houghton was mentioned in Volume 93 # 22, Worcester Spy, June 1, 1864

  We found men who were suffering terrible pain, and the boats were so crowded it was almost suffocating. Many have been neglected, as was readily seen by a glance at their wounds, and numbers tell woeful stories regarding the treatment received. Some had to be moved beds and all, as it was dangerous to transfer them to stretchers. We made it our particular aim to attend personally to the movement of some, and much to their gratification.

  The color bearer of the 15th Sergt. Lafayette Warden, Sergt Henry J. Ball, and private Henry R. Dawson of Co. D, 15th, all badly wounded, were attended by us. sergt. Henry Houghton of Co. D, from Worcester, was badly wounded in three places---right thigh broken, and had to be handled very carefully. We learn from the latter that Lieut. Hastings and 1st Sergt Barnard, were all right at last accounts, and spoken of in the highest terms. Sergt McFarland of Co. I was unhurt and called a perfect salamander against bullets.

• On 27 Jul 1864 Henry ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by administrative transfer to the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as absent wounded.
  
  
• Starting 28 Jul 1864, Henry also served in the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company "G."
• He ended his service by discharge for disability on 10 Jul 1865.
• He made application for a veteran's pension on 14 Aug 1865, and received certificate number 62525.
• On 18 Aug 1866 Henry Houghton married Margaret O'Connor, 20, daughter of James O'Connor and Mary [--?--], at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
• Henry Houghton and Margaret O'Connor were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 11 Aug 1870 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Houghton, Henry, 30, grocer ret., b. England
  ---, Margaret, 26, b. Ireland
  ---, Philip J., 3, b. MA
  ---, James N., 1, b. MA.
• On 21 Mar 1875 Margaret O'Connor, his wife, died at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of pleurisy at age 29.
• In 1878 Henry Houghton was a grocer.
• On 3 Nov 1878 Henry Houghton married Catharine J. Williams, daughter of Michael Williams and Mary [--?--], at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in his second marriage and her first.
• Henry Houghton and Catharine J. Williams were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 3 Jun 1880 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Henry Houghton, 39, grocer and meat, b. England (of Eng. parents)
  Kate J., 19, wife, b. MA (of Irish parents)
  Philip J., 12, son, b. MA (fath b. Eng, mor b. Ireland)
  James H., 11, son, b. MA (fath b. Eng, mor b. Ireland)
  William R., 9, son, b. MA (fath b. Eng, mor b. Ireland)
  Alice, 6, dau, b. MA (fath b. Eng, mor b. Ireland).
• In 1889 Henry Houghton was pension agent.
• He died on 5 Jan 1889 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of pneumonia.
• He was buried in Jan 1889 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.

• Last Edited: 16 Jan 2012

Joseph Richardson Houghton

• Father: Elbridge Houghton b. 5 Jun 1813, d. 29 Apr 1871
• Mother: Emily Richardson b. 22 Sep 1812, d. 1 Sep 1849

• Company: B

• Joseph Richardson Houghton was born on 6 Aug 1844 at Stow, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, son of Elbridge Houghton and Emily Richardson, grandson of Jabez and Rebecca (Smith) Houghton, and a descendant of John Houghton, of Lancaster (1624 - 1684).
• On 1 Sep 1849 his mother, Emily Richardson, died at Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 36.
• Joseph Richardson Houghton was enumerated in the household of Elbridge Houghton in the 1850 US Federal Census on 17 Sep 1850 at Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Joseph and his father are living with an uncle/brother, as:
  Obed (?) HOUGHTON, 33, laborer, (all b. in MA) [Elbridge's younger brother]
  Martha ---, 24
  Elbridge --- , 35, laborer
  **Joseph --- , 6, (attended school)
  Levi REED, Junr. 51, clerk, realestate value $1800
  Sally --- , 44
  Charlotte --- , 16
  Warren DAVIS, 21, merchant
  William DAVIS, 21, merchant.
• Joseph's widowed father, Elbridge Houghton, remarried to Mary Louisa Maynard.
• Joseph Richardson Houghton was enumerated in the household of Luther Maynard and Prudence Randall Brown in the 1860 US Federal Census on 18 Jun 1860 at Westminster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, with his step-grandparents, as:
  Luther MAYNARD, 52, runs hotel, b. MA (as were all in house)
  Prudence, 49, F
  Charlott M., 19
  Henrietta , 18
  Lucretia F., 16
  Emma F., 11
  xxx E., 8, F
  Lucia C., 6, F
  Elbridge Houghton, 43, "Gentleman", personal estate $3000
  Mary L. Houghton, 23, F (his step-mother)
  **Joseph R., 16, clerk
  Frank P., 4
  Emma F., 3
  Annie L., 1.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Joseph gave his occupation as clerk.
• In 1861 Joseph was living at Westminster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 Joseph mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Westminster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 16 years, 11 months and 6 days old.
• On 2 Nov 1862 Henry Augustus Putnam and Joseph Richardson Houghton, together with Joseph Richardson Houghton, ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts to reenlist in Battery I of the 1st U. S. Light Artillery, Rickett's Battery, with his friends, according to the History of Clinton, Massachusetts.
• On 13 Nov 1862 Joseph ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts to reenlist in Battery I, 1st U. S. Light Artillery.
  
  
• Starting 14 Nov 1862, Joseph also served in the Battery I, 1st U. S. Light Artillery (Regular Army).
• He ended his service by discharge on 12 Jul 1864.
• On 29 Apr 1871 his father, Elbridge Houghton, died at Westminster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of typhoid fever at age 57.
• He is included in "Richardson Memorial" as follows: Joseph Richardson (Houghton), born 1844. He went to California several years ago.
• Joseph Richardson Houghton was enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census in Jun 1880 at Chico, Butte County, California, as:
  Joseph HOUGHTON, single, 35, b. MA (as were his parents), farmer, who lives in what looks like some kind of boarding house where an Irish-Canadian named Henry STACY is enumerated as the head. There are 15 other single men from all over, enumerated as laborers, and three Chinese cooks.
• On 12 Jun 1884 at "The Fitchburg Sentinel", Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Joseph R. Houghton was mentioned as a member of the Westminster contingent of Company B, the Fitchburg Fusiliers.
• In Jun 1886 Joseph was living at California.
• In 1893, Joseph was included in the "History of Westminster", p. 408, as follows:
  "Houghton, Joseph R., s. of Elbridge and Emily, b. Stowe, Aug. 6, 1844; farmer, unm. Enl. for 3 years July 12 1861, in Co. B., 15th Regt. Captured at Ball's Bluff and held prisoner 4 mos. Nov. 12, 1862 he was transferred to Co. I, 1st Art. and Nov. 13th was discharged to join the regular army. Serving his full time, he was must. out July 28, 1864."
• On 11 May 1898 at "The Fitchburg Sentinel", Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Joseph Richardson Houghton was mentioned in an article as an original member of the Fitchburg Fusiliers. (click icon to read article).
• He was enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 12 Jun 1900 at San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, as:
  Houghton, Joseph, boarder, b. Aug 1844, 55, single, b. MA (as were his parents), farmer, fully employed in the last 12 months (apparently a boarding house or hotel).
• He made application for a veteran's pension on 29 Oct 1914, and received certificate number 1176524.
• He was enumerated in the 1920 US Federal Census on 12 Jan 1920 at 2nd Street, Chico, Butte County, California, as:
  HOUGHTON, Joseph, head, 74, single, living in rented accomodation, b. MA (as were his parents), occupation as "none."
• He died on 9 Jan 1921 at San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, unmarried. He was 76 years, 5 months and 3 days old.
• An obituary for Joseph Richardson Houghton was published as follows: in an unknown newspaper.
• He was buried on 11 Jan 1921 at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California, after cremation.
• On 22 Oct 1926 at "The Webster Evening Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Joseph R. Houghton was remembered at the 60th reunion of Company I as among those who had died within the previous year. (click icon to read).
• Researcher: Mark Landry, a local researcher, who compiled much of this biographical information.

• Last Edited: 23 Mar 2012

Benjamin D. House

Benjamin D. House

• Father: Albert H. House b. 1813
• Mother: Ursula S. [--?--] b. 1817

• Company: D

• Benjamin D. House was born about in 1843 at Vermont, son of Albert H. House and Ursula S. [--?--], (or in Canada).
• Benjamin D. House was enumerated in the household of Albert H. House and Ursula S. [--?--] in the 1860 US Federal Census on 23 Jul 1860 at Barnet, Caledonia County, Vermont, as:
  A H House, 48, Bapt Clergy, b. Canada
  Urtula, 43, b. Canada
  Frances L, 22, b. VT
  Martha R., 21, b. Canada
  **Benj D., 18, b. Canada
  Fred, 16, b. VT
  Edwin, 10, b. NH
  Pamelia, 6, b. VT.
• In 1861 Benjamin was living at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Benjamin gave his occupation as clerk and student.
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 Benjamin mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 18 years old.
• On 31 May 1862 Benjamin D. House was wounded at Fair Oaks, Henrico County, Virginia, in the jaw.
• On 18 Sep 1862 Benjamin ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to disability from wounds received in action.
  
  
• He made application for a veteran's pension on 9 Nov 1866, and received certificate number 80581.
• On 5 Jan 1869 at Indiana Ben D. House signed as a witness, along with one Thos E. Johnson, for a patent on a kind of plow, made by one Jas. W. Monical, of Mooresville, Indiana.
• He was enumerated in the household of John S. Sharpe and Clarissa R. [--?--] in the 1870 US Federal Census on 2 Feb 1870 at Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, with his future in-laws, as:
  Sharpe, John S., 65, retired, b. CT
  ---, Clarissa, 53, b. MA
  ---, Andrew W., 33, tobcconist, b. RI
  ---, Josephine, 22 boarding, b. OH
  ---, Clara N., 28, b. RI
  ---, Calvin S., 22, salesman (tobacco), b. RI
  **---, Mary A., 20, newspaper reporter, b. RI (his future wife)
  Leander W., 18, paper hanger, b. RI
  **House, Ben D., 26, no occupation b. MA.
• On 27 Jan 1873 Benjamin D. House married Mary A. Sharpe, 23, daughter of John S. Sharpe and Clarissa R. [--?--], at Marion County, Indiana.
• Benjamin D. House was enumerated in the household of John S. Sharpe and Clarissa R. [--?--] in the 1880 US Federal Census on on 12 Jun 1880 at at Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, with his in-laws, as:
  John S. Sharp, 75, retired merchant, b. CT
  Calrisa R., 63, wife, b. MA
  Andrew W., 42, son, married, liquor manifacture, b. RI
  Josie J., 32, daur-in-law, b. OH
  Clara M., 38, daur, single, b. RI
  Calvin L., 32, son, single, travel for ?? house, b. RI(
  Mary A. House, 30, daur, married, b. RI
  **Ben D., 36, son-in-law, clerk in store, b. MA (as were his parents)
  Lottie Sharp, 9, g-daur, b. Ind (fath b. RI, mor b. OH)
  Hellen Sharp, 4, g-daur, b. Ind (fath b. RI, mor b. OH).
• In Jul 1883 at Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, "The Grand Army Guard" was started as the organ of the great patriotic body from which it takes its name. It is edited by Ben D. House, long connected with the city, and known all over the state as one of its first poets.
• Benjamin D. House died on 4 Jul 1887 at Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. He was 44 years old.
• He was buried on 6 Jul 1887 at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, Sec: 25, Lot: 152, with much of his wife's family.
• An obituary for Benjamin D. House was published on 6 Jul 1887 as follows: in the Elkhart Daily Review -
  "Ben D. House died Monday at Indianapolis. He was aged forty-three and was well known throughout the state not only as a journalist and a poet, the latter of no small ability, but as a member of the G. A. R., serving altogether six years as assistant adjutant general of Indiana, and by this means making himself personally known to every subordinate post in the state."
• Mary made application for a widow's pension his wife, received certificate number 238612.
• In 1900, Benjamin was included in "The Hoosiers," by Meredith Nicholson (New York: Macmillan), p. 265, as follows:
  "Ben D. House, who had served in the Federal armies, wrote with truth and spirit. He ran away from his home in Vermont when he was seventeen, and entered the army from Massachusetts. He saw hard service, and received wounds which were a constant menace for the remainder of his life. He was mustered out finally at Indianapolis, and lived there almost continuously until his death in 1887.

  His idiosyncrasies and affectations were many, and included the wearing of a great cloak, in which he sombrely wrapped himself in cold weather. His poems were printed privately by his friends in 1892. He had fair luck with the sonnet, and wrote, on the occasion of Grant's death, "Appomattox," which follows: --

  To peace-white ashes sunk war's lurid flame;
  The drums had ceased to growl, and died away
  The bark of guns, where fronting armies lay,
  And for the day the dogs of war were tame,
  And resting on the field of blood-fought fame,
  For peace at last o'er horrid war held sway
  On her won field, a score of years to-day,
  Where to her champion forth a white flag came.
  O nation's chief, thine eyes have seen again
  A whiter flag come forth to summon thee
  Than that pale scarf which gleamed above war's stain,
  To parley o'er the end of its red reigh --
  The truce of God that sets from battle free
  Thy dauntless soul, and they work life from pain."
• He's surviving family was enumerated in the household of Mary A. Sharpe in the 1900 US Federal Census on 12 Jun 1900 at Center, Marion County, Indiana, as:
  Hause, Mary A., head, b. Oct 1849, widow, no children, b. RI (fat b. CT, mor b. MA)
  and three lodgers.
• Credits: Portrait photo courtesy of Patrick A. Schroeder.

• Last Edited: 9 Mar 2012

H. I. Hoverty

• Company: I

• H. I. Hoverty died on 11 Mar 1862.
• He was buried in Mar 1862 at US Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery (Military Asylum Cemetery), Washington, DC, as one of the 15th MVI, but cannot be confirmed in Ford or MASSCW.

• Last Edited: 19 Apr 2012