Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Houston, Robert 1809 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 26, 2006, 12:00 am

Author: History Grundy County 1882

Robert Houston, retired farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born in Ireland August 14, 
1809; he is a son of John and Jane (Gibson) Houston. The father died in 
Ireland and the mother in New York; they were parents of nine children - 
Ellen, Jane, William, Robert, James, John, Mary, Alexander and Thomas; the 
parents belonged to the First Baptist Church of Ireland. Robert had but little 
chance of attending school; his father died when he was small, and, at the age 
of eleven, he had to take charge of the family; he came to America in 1831, 
settling in New York City, where he engaged in weaving, manufacturing cotton 
goods; he followed weaving for twenty years; he saved enough aside from 
keeping his family to have $1,000 left when coming to Illinois. He was 
married, in 1837, to Mrs. Elizabeth Murphey, a daughter of Thomas Shaw, which 
union blessed him with nine children - Eliza, the wife of D. Morris; John, who 
died in the late war; Robert, wounded on the Red River expedition, losing his 
right leg; Thomas, wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Shiloh, taken 
prisoner by the rebels and confined in the hospital at Mobile, Ala., and 
Andersonville for nine months; Ann, Mary, William, Ellen and Martha. Mr. H. 
bought 160 acres of land in Braceville Township on coming here, for $165, 
which he afterward traded for 160 acres in Greenfield Township, which he still 
owns; this land is located on Section 14; he has retired from the rural 
pursuits of life, being located in good property of his own in Gardner. He and 
wife are active members of the Baptist Church, in which he has always held 
office, and is now Deacon. The financial interests of said organization have 
always been blessed by the relationship of Mr. Houston, he having donated 
largely to the construction of two churches at this place, one of which was 
consumed by fire. He is an unfaltering believer in the Savior of mankind, and 
shows by his walks in faith. He votes the Republican ticket.

Additional Comments:
Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois. (1882) Chicago: O.L. Baskin & Co. 
Historical Publishers.

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