Clipping from Steven Point Weekly Journal 19March1892 Submitted by Rick Campen Mrs. F.R. HOUSTON The death of Mrs. F. R. Houston occurred at the family residence on Main Street at 5:45 o'clock last Saturday morning. Mrs. Houston had been taken with a very severe chill during the previous Sunday night, and although a physician was immediately summoned and everything was done for her that loving hearts and willing hands could suggest her illness rapidly developed into pneumonia, and she quietly and peacefully passed Into her last long sleep at the hour above stated. Her illness came on very suddenly and unexpectedly to her husband and family. In fact, during the day preceding the commencement of her fatal illness, she felt unusually active and made the remark that she had not felt so well for a long time. Mrs. Houston was born In Barron county, Kentucky, February 22, 1826, and therefore had passed her 65th birthday but a few days before her death. Her maiden name was Mary P. Barbee, and on the 2nd of November, 1843, nearly 48 years ago, in Pike county, Mo., she was united In marriage to F. R. Houston. In 1848 they removed from Missouri to the lead regions of Wisconsin. Settling at Schulsburg, in this State, they remained there until 1849, and then came to Stevens Point, where they have ever since resided. In 1849 Stevens Point, now a prosperous city of 8,000 Inhabitants, was only a small settlement. There were not to exceed fifteen women who were the heads of families in the place. There was not a church in the place, and the only school house was a little cheap 12x16 building that stood on the corner afterwards occupied by the Mansion House. In those days the cemetery was "away out of town" on the little knoll where Dr. Rood's residence now stands. We only mention these facts to convey to the minds of our readers of to-day some ilea of the wonderful transformations and improvements that have gone on under the eye of this respected pioneer woman who has now been tenderly conveyed to her last resting place, and laid by the side of her three children who had gone before. Mrs. Houston was the mother of two sons and three daughters, of which only two, Mrs. James Gardiner and Mrs. A. F. Redfield, survive her, both of whom live here. In her death a devoted wife, a loving mother and a kindly neighbor and friend has passed away. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, and the last summons did not find her unprepared. Indeed, she said it was better that it was so. In the last conversation she had with her aged husband, to whom she had always been a helpmate, in deed as well as in name, she said it was better that she go first, and she died as she had lived, a true Christian woman. The funeral was held ' from the house at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, with interment in the Episcopal cemetery. Rev. E. P. Rankin of the Presbyterian church and Rev. L. 0. Carr of the Baptist church officiated. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. The pall wearers were M. Wadleigh, J. A. Walker, W. L. Arnott, W. J. Clifford, E. McGlachlin and John Finch. Clipping from Steven Point Weekly Journal 19March1892 (c) 2004 All Rights Reserved - Rick Campen ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Rick Campen ==========================================================================