He was born on 10 March 1837, in Vermont--perhaps in Pawlet, Rutland County, Vermont, apparently to Charles and Eliza Houghton. [sources: date: 11, 12, 20 (72 in 1910), 33, 3-6 (1837); 7 (43 in 1880), 8 (25 in 1861), 13 (23 in 1860), 14 (32 in 1870), 37 (63 in 1900), 31 (13 in 1850), 43 (82 in 1917), 44 (25 in 1863). place: 7, 13, 20, 30, 31, 33, 43, 44. parents: 31]
In 1850, he was living in Bennington, Bennington, Vermont. He was living with Charles and Eliza Houghton (presumably his parents), and with Sarah and Susan (presumably his sisters). [source: 31]
He moved to Philadelphia in 1855. [source: 33]
In 1859, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical Department. [sources: 33, 36]
In 1860, he was an M.D., living in the 19th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (presumed) parents Charles and Houghton, and a servant. [source: 13]
When he enlisted, he was living in Philadelphia. [source: 8]
He enlisted on 21 October 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was mustered into service as assistant surgeon on 6 November 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was an assistant surgeon. [sources: 1, 2 (4 Nov), 3, 5, 8 (4 Nov), 17 (Sep 61), 19 (Sep 61), 26 (4 Nov), 27 (4 Nov), 28 (4 Nov), 33, 39]
On 29 December 1861, he signed the death certificate for John Walters. [source: 25]
On 29 June 1862, he, along with the other commissioned officers in the regiment (except Colonel Gregory), signed a statement denying accusations that they were on the verge of open mutiny, that the regiment had been reduced to 400 men, and that Colonel Gregory was too lenient to Confederates and too harsh to men in the regiment. [source: 21]
He was discharged for promotion on 11 September 1862. He was transferred and promoted on 12 September 1862 to Major and Surgeon of the 124th Pennsylvania infantry. [sources: 1 (15 Sep), 2 (has 24th PA), 4, 5, 8 (18 Sep), 15 (15 Sep), 26 (12 Sep), 27 (12 Sep), 28 (12 Sep)]
He was mustered into service in the 124th Pennsylvania Infantry on 12 September 1862. [sources: 6, 15 (lists the date of his muster into the 91st PA), 39]
On 28 January 1863, he certified various facts about the death of John Walters (H). [source: 35]
He was mustered out with the regiment on 16 May 1863, when their term of service expired. [sources: 6, 15 (17 May 63--but the narrative has 16 May 63), 27 (17 May), 28 (17 May)]
In May/June 1863, he was registered for the draft. He was living on Frankford Road above York Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a surgeon. [source: 44]
On 3 February 1864, he was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was unable to provide any information about James Kiernan. He was able to provide an address for Isaac D Knight. [source: 32]
On 16 December 1864, he certified various facts about the death of John Walters (H). [source: 35]
He was mustered into service as surgeon in the 214th Pennsylvania Infantry on 21 March 1865. The 214th Pennsylvania served in guard and provost duty in the Shenendoah Valley until July 1865. It was then ordered to Washington, where it garrisoned the city. This is presumably when he was surgeon-in-chief of the garrison of Washington DC. A detachment was sent to Annapolis, Maryland, in November. He was mustered out with the regiment, at Washington DC, on 21 March 1866. [sources: 16, 17, 19, 24, 26, 27, 28, 33]
In 1865/66, he married Emeline [unknown family name]. She was born in 1839/40, in Pennsylvania. They apparently had two children:
[sources: 7, 14, 30 (both living in 1900)]
On 24 April 1869, he testified in support of the application for pension by Eliza Ann Scott, mother of Thomas B Scott. He was living at 1513 North 7th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 38]
In 1870, Charles Houghton (32, born in Vermont) was a physician, living in the 20th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He owned $1500 in personal property. He was living with his wife Emma, his son Horrace, and two domestic servants. [source: 14]
On 7 October 1871, he signed the death certificate for Anna Hebding, whose father Charles Hebding had served in the 91st. [source: 37]
In 1880, he was living at 1528 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Emeline, his children Horace and Frank, his mother, and two servants. He was a medical doctor. [source: 7]
On 3 May 1882, he was elected to the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He had insignia number 2435. [sources: 24, 26, 27, 28, 29]
According to the 1906 and 1909 American Medical Directories, he graduated in 1892 from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the 1912 and 1914 American Medical Directories, he graduated in 1860 or 1859 from the Pennsylvania Medical College at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. [sources: 9, 10, 11, 12]
In 1890, he was living at 1528 North 7th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a physician. He reported one disability: "Ruptured". [sources: 17, 18]
He applied successfully for a pension on 3 June 1891 from Pennsylvania, under the Act of 27 June 1890. [sources: 2, 40, 41]
In 1900, he was living at 1578 North 7th Street, ward 20, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Emeline, son Horace and Horace's wife Ethel, son Frank, and a servant. He was a physician. [source: 30]
He was included in a 1904 Who's who in Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He was then living at 1528 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 24]
He retired in 1905. [source: 33]
In 1906, he was practicing at 2031 North Front Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By 1909, he had joined the American Medical Association. He was then practicing at Broad and Girard Avenue. [sources: 9, 10]
On 2 December 1907, his pension certificate was reissued. Effective 20 March 1907, he received $15 per month, under the Act of 6 February 1907. [sources: 2, 40, 41]
In 1910, he was living at 855 [North?] Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a physician. He was widowed. [source: 20]
He probably moved to Narberth, Pennsylvania, in 1911. In 1912, he was no longer practicing, and was living in Narberth, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In 1914, he was living in Wynnewood, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, apparently having moved there in October 1912. [sources: 11, 12, 36]
Effective 19 March 1912, his pension was increased to $20 per month. The pension certificate was issued on 30 March 1912. [source: 41]
On 15 July 1912, his pension certificate was reissued. Effective 17 May 1912, he received $30 per month, under the Act of 11 May 1912. [source: 41]
He died on 6 June 1917, at 1709 Green Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of uremia and chronic myocarditis, with gangrene of the left leg contributing. He was a member, among other organizations, of Integrity, 187 [?], St. John's Lodge of the Masonic Fraternity, the Odd Fellows, Loyal Legion Club, Medical Club, Physicians' Club, Columbia Club, and was surgeon of Meade Post, No. 1, Grand Army of the Republic. On 11 June 1917, he was buried at Westminster Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 2, 33, 34, 41, 42, 43]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 pension index, by regiment [the pension index by name (entry 40 below) makes clear '24' should be '124'] (Charles W Houghton)
3 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Volume 1 (1914), pages 500-507: 'Dedication of monument: 91st regiment infantry', by Joseph Welch. At page 501.
6 Official army register, volume 3, page 962 (124th PA) (Charles W Houghton)
7 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 23rd division, 20th ward, microfilm series T9, film 1179, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 404, page 281 B = 14 handwritten (Chas Houghton)
8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 18 May 2004 (C W Houghton)
9 American Medical Directory. First edition, 1906. Page 827 (Chas W Houghton)
10 American Medical Directory. Second edition, 1909. Page 1015 (Chas W Houghton)
11 American Medical Directory. Third edition, 1912. Page 1065 (Chas W Houghton)
12 American Medical Directory. Fourth edition, 1914. Page 1326 (Chas W Houghton)
13 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, film 1170, page 647 = 177 handwritten (FamilySearch)] (Chas Houghton Jr)
14 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 20, district 66, page 430 recto = 9 handwritten (Charles Houghton)
15 Bates (see #1 above), volume 4, page 1863 (C W Houghton) (In the roster)
16 Bates (see #1 above), volume 5, page 819 (roster and narrative) (Chas W Houghton [214th PA Infantry])
17 1890 US census, veterans' schedules, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 23rd division 20th ward, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 422, page 3, line 27 (Charles W Houghton)
18 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory, transcribed on Ancestry (searched Dec 2004) (Charles Houghton)
19 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia 23rd division 20th ward, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 422, page 3 (Charles W Houghton)
20 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 14th ward, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 209 [?], microfilm series T624, film 1391, page 134 = 5A handwritten (Charles W Houghton)
21 'Ninety-first Pennsylvania Regiment'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 July 1862, page 2 (Chas W Houghton)
22 'Camp Chase', Philadelphia Inquirer 30 November 1861 (Charles Hough [sic])
23 'Departure of Col. Gregory's regiment', Philadelphia Inquirer 22 January 1862 page 2 (Chas Hough)
24 Who's who in Pennsylvania. Containing authentic biographies of Pennsylvanians who are leaders and representatives in various departments of worthy human achievement. Edited by Lewis R Hamersly. First edition. New York: L R Hamersly Co., 1904. Page 344. (Charles Woodman Houghton)
25 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 27 December 1861 (Charles Houghton)
26 Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Register of the Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania from April 15 1865 to May 5 1887. Philadelphia, 1887. (Charles Woodman Houghton)
27 Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Register of the Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania. From April 15, 1865, to July 1, 1882. Philadelphia: 1882. (Charles Woodman Houghton)
28 Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Register of the Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania April 15, 1865--September 1, 1902. Philadelphia, 1902. (Charles Woodman Houghton)
29 Register of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Compiled from the Registers and Circulars of the Various Commanderies by J. Harris Aubin. Boston: Published under the Auspices of the Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, 1 January 1906. (Charles W Houghton)
30 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 20, microfilm series T623, film 1462, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 429, page 136 = 8 B handwritten (Chas H Houghton)
31 1850 US census, Vermont, Bennington County, Bennington, microfilm series M432, film 921, pp.202 verso - 203 recto = 384-385 handwritten (Charles W [??] Houghton)
32 widow's pension certificate file, NARA, RC 15, certificate 51729 (Catherine widow of James Kiernan) (Chas W Houghton)
33 'Dr Charles W. Houghton', Philadelphia Inquirer 9 June 1917, page 6 (Charles W Houghton)
34 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer 9 June 1917, page 7 (Charles W Houghton)
35 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, widow's certificate number 37,102, Catharine McCarty widow of John Walters (Charles W Houghton)
36 deceased physician file (American Medical Association) 1864-1968 (Chas W Houghton)
37 [not transcribed] death certificate, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 7 Oct 1871, Anna Hebding (daughter of Chas and Elizabeth Hebding), available on FamilySearch (Chas W Houghton)
38 abstract of dependent's pension certificate file, WC 135,801, 19 May 1869, Eliza A Scott, mother of Thomas B Scott (Charles W Houghton)
39 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Charles W Houghton)
40 pension index, by name (Charles W Houghton)
41 Veterans Administration pension payment cards, 1907-1933 (Charles W Houghton)
42 Find a grave, memorial 94573073, created by Margaret Orthodox, 31 July 2012, accessed 12 July 2015 (Charles Woodman Houghton)
43 death certificate, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County, 6 June 1917, file number 70854 (Chas W Houghton)
44 Consolidated lists of Civil War draft registration records, from NARA, record group 110 (Charles W Houghton)
45 * muster-out roll, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, record group 19, series 19.11, records of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs ()
| line | 41 | 42 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Dwellings visited | 334 | ||||
| Families visited | 340 | ||||
| Name | Chs Houghton | Eliza | Sarah D | Susan E | Charles W [??] |
| Age | 45 | 41 | 19 | 16 | 13 |
| Sex | M | F | F | do | M |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Physician | ||||
| Real estate owned | |||||
| Birthplace | do [sc. Vt] | do | Vt | do | do |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | |||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| Dwelling number | 1312 | |||
| Family number | 1435 | |||
| Name | Charles Houghton | Eliza " | Chas W " | Jane McGoulan [?] |
| Age | 56 | 52 | 23 | 20 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F |
| Color | ||||
| Occupation | M.D. | M.D. | Servant | |
| Value of real estate owned | ||||
| Value of personal estate | 1600 | |||
| Place of birth | Vermont | N.H | Vermont | Phil |
| Married within year | ||||
| Attended school within year | ||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| Dwelling-house number | 56 | ||||
| Family number | 60 | ||||
| Name | Houghton Charles | - Emma C [?] | - Horrace | Rogers Annie | Morgan Rose |
| Age | 32 | 30 | 9/12 | 22 | 35 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | F |
| Color | W | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Physician | Keeping house | At home | Domestic servant | Domestic servant |
| Real estate value | |||||
| Personal estate value | 1,500 | ||||
| Birthplace | Vermont | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Ireland | Ireland |
| Father foreign born | 1 | 1 | |||
| Mother foreign born | 1 | 1 | |||
| Birth month if born within year | Oct | ||||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||||
| Attended school past year | |||||
| Can't read | |||||
| Can't write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | ||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| street name | North Seventh St | ||||||
| house number | 1528 | ||||||
| dwelling visit # | 116 | ||||||
| family visit # | 117 | ||||||
| name | Houghton Chas | " Emeline | " Horace | " Frank | " Eliza | McGulley Kate | Kinney Michael |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M | M | F | F | M |
| age | 43 | 40 | 10 | 8 | 70 | 23 | 15 |
| month born if born in year | |||||||
| relationship | Wife | Son | Son | Mother | Servant | Servant | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| married | 1 | 1 | |||||
| widowed/divorced | 1 | ||||||
| married during year | |||||||
| occupation | Medical Doctor | Keeping House | At Home | At Home | Servant | Servant | |
| months unemployed | |||||||
| currently ill? | |||||||
| blind | |||||||
| deaf/dumb | |||||||
| idiotic | |||||||
| insane | |||||||
| disabled | |||||||
| school this year | |||||||
| can't read | |||||||
| can't write | |||||||
| birthplace | Vermont | Penna | Penna | Vermont | Vermont | Penna | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Vermont | Penna | Vermont | Vermont | Vermont | Penna | Ireland |
| mother's birthplace | Vermont | Penna | Penna | Penna | Vermont | Penna [?] | Penna |
| line | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 |
| street | North 7th St | |||||
| house number | 1578 | |||||
| dwelling number | 137 | |||||
| family number | 154 | |||||
| name | Houghton Chas H [?] | - Emeline C | - Horace D | - Ethel | - Frank D | Morse, Nettie |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Son | D in law | Son | Servant |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | B |
| sex | M | F | M | F | M | F |
| birth date | Mch 1837 | May [?] 1835 | Oct 1869 | Jun 1875 | Mch 1872 | Nov 1875 |
| age | 63 | 65 | 30 | 24 | 28 | 24 |
| married? | M | M | M | M | S | S |
| # years married | 34 | 34 | 4 | 4 | ||
| mother of how many children? | 2 | 1 | ||||
| # of children living | 2 | 0 | ||||
| birthplace | Vermont | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | New York | Pennsylvania | Virginia |
| father's birthplace | Vermont | Pennsylvania | Vermont | New York | Vermont | Virginia |
| mother's birthplace | Vermont | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | New York | Pennsylvania | Virginia |
| immigration year | ||||||
| # years in USA | ||||||
| naturalized citizen? | ||||||
| occupation | Physician | Bookkeeper | Clerk auditing | Servant | ||
| # months not employed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| # months in school | ||||||
| can read | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| can write | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| speaks English | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| owned/rented | R | |||||
| free or mortgaged | ||||||
| farm/house | H | |||||
| # of farm schedule | ||||||
| line | 32 |
| street | Broad Street |
| house nr | 855 |
| dwelling nr | [82] |
| family nr | [94] |
| name | Houghton Charles W. |
| relationship | boarder |
| sex | M |
| color | W |
| age | 72 |
| marital status | Wd |
| #years present marriage | |
| mother of # children | |
| mother of # living children | |
| birthplace | Vermont |
| father's birthplace | Vermont |
| mother's birthplace | Vermont |
| immigrated | |
| naturalized/alien | |
| speaks English | English |
| occupation | Physician |
| nature of industry etc. | Medicine |
| employer etc. | OA |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | |
| # weeks out of work 1909 | |
| can read | yes |
| can write | yes |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | |
| owned/rented | |
| owned free or mortagaged | |
| farm/house | [house] |
| nr on farm schedule | |
| civil war vet | [illegible] |
| blind | |
| deaf & dumb |
| NUMBER OF EACH GRADE. | |||
| NAMES. PRESENT AND ABSENT. | |||
| RANK. | |||
| AGE. | |||
| JOINED FOR SERVICE AND ENROLLED AT GENERAL RENDEZVOUS--COMMENCEMENT OF FIRST PAYMENT BY TIME. | WHEN. | ||
| WHERE. | |||
| BY WHOM. | |||
| PERIOD. | |||
| MUSTERED INTO SERVICE. | WHEN. | ||
| WHERE. | |||
| BY WHOM. | |||
| LAST PAID. | BY PAYMASTER. | ||
| TO WHAT TIME. | |||
| TRAVELING. | To place of rendezvous, No. of miles. | ||
| From place of discharge home, No. of miles. | |||
| Clothing Act | Due U.S | ||
| Due Soldier | |||
| AMOUNT for clothing in kind, or in money advanced. | |||
| VALUE OF equipments, arms &c., received from the United States, to be paid for if lost or destroyed. | |||
| Bounty | Paid | ||
| Due | |||
| REMARKS | |||
| CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. |
| REISSUE | 15 | Mch. 20 /07 | Dec. 2 /07 |
| INCREASE | 20 | Mch. 19 /12 | Mch. 30 /12 |
| REISSUE | 30 | May 17 /12 | July 15/12 |
Member of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. First Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon Ninety-first Pennsylvania Infantry Nov. 4, 1861; discharged for promotion Sept. 11, 1862; Major and Surgeon 124th Pennsylvania Infantry Sept. 12, 1862; honorably mustered out May 17, 1863; Major and Surgeon 214th Pennsylvania Infantry March 21, 1865; honorably mustered out March 21, 1866. Elected May 3, 1882. Address: 1528 North 7th St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Dr. Charles W. Houghton, retired physician and former United States Army surgeon, who died last Tuesday at his home, 1809 Green street, will be buried on Monday. Services will be held at a funeral establishment in the central part of the city.
Dr. Houghton was eighty years old. He was born March 10, 1837, in Pawbt [sic; perhaps 'Pawlet'?], Vermont, and spent his boyhood in Bennington, in the same State. He came to Philadelphia in 1855 and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical Department in 1859.
In 1861 he enlisted in the army as a surgeon and was mustered out in 1866 after performing services of the highest value. For a time he was medical director of a department and later was surgeon-in-chief of the garrison of the city of Washington.
After being released from service in the army he established a private practice in medicine and surgery. He retired to private life in 1905 because of failing health.
He was a member of many medical societies, a Fellow of the American Medical Association, a member of the board of managers of the American Stomach Hospital, member of Integrity, 187 [?], St. John's Lodge of the Masonic Fraternity, the Odd Fellows, Loyal Legion Club, Medical Club, Physicians' Club, Columbia Club and surgeon of Meade Post, No. 1, of this city. He also was a member of the New England Society of Philadelphia.
HOUGHTON.--June 6. Dr. CHARLES W. HOUGHTON. Relatives and friends, also General George G. Meade Post, No. 1, G.A.R., and members of Loyal Legion, are invited to services, Mon., 10 A.M. at Oliver H. Bair Bldg, 1829 Chestnut st. Int. Westminster Cem.
| (5) (a) [blank] | Philadelphia Pa | (e) a 6/13 | Wynnewood, Pa |
| (b) D 8-6/26/11 | Narberth, Pa. | (f) [blank] | [blank] |
| (c) 10/12/12 | Wynnewood, Pa | (g) [blank] | [blank] |
| (d) 12/14/12 | Philadelphia, Pa | (h) [blank] | [blank] |