To all those volunteers that have provided the information to my inquiry, MANY, MANY thanks. You folks are absolutely great.

If you find you have a little extra time on your hands, ha, ha, there is also the question of George Houston's siblings, James, born NY, Robert, Mary and Arvilla.

Story has it that Mary cared for Thomas Houston till his death and then was sent to a mental assylum.

I have photos of James and his wife Alice, Robert and Mary but none of Arvilla.

Would like to know if these relatives remained in the area.

Again many thanks,

Bill Marshall

WHL,

Many thanks for the great work you've done on my inquiry. Your answers have prompted another question; Ella M. Beebe, GeorgeHouston's first wife, gave birth to Claud Ross, Blanche and Ida. Family story has it that Claud Ross(my grand father) had two 1/2 brothers. We had assumed that they would have been Cora and George's offspring, but records now show that Cora had no children. Is it possible that Ella M. was married either before or after George to a man named Haynes. The half brothers would have been named Floyd and Earl.

Many thanks,

Bill Marshall

Bill, I will try to sort this out on Friday, when we go to "work"-at least as close as I get to a job. Is your grandfather still alive and did any of these folks marry or die in Kalamazoo County? I found a death for an Alice who I thought might be Thomas' wife, but doubt it. I also found James, Robert in 1924 and Anson in 1952. There are quite a few Houstons and I will see what I can find. I just ran out of time with other queries and projects last Friday. If you can put some info on marriages and deaths in Kalamazoo Co. together, send them to me at my email address. I don't need exact dates, unless you have them, but ballpark guestimates would be nice. WHL

HOUSTON Births from the Birth Records of the Kalamazoo County Clerk:
Book 3, page 156. Blanch HOUSTON; DOB 30 June, 1886; POB Kalamazoo; father George HOUSTON, clerk, born Portage Michigan; mother Ella HOUSTON, born Schoolcraft.

Book 3, page 47. Claud Ross HOUSTON; DOB 4 Sept 1883; POB 132 Cedar Str, Kalamazoo, Michigan; father George HOUSTON of 132 Cedar Str., insurance agent, born Michigan; mother Ella May Beebe born Michigan.

Book 2, pages 318 & 319. Ida L. HOUSTON; DOB pg 318, 18 Feb 1881 and pg 319 1 Nov 1881; POB Schoolcraft Twp; res Schoolcraft; father George HUSTON(sic), farmer; mother Ella HUSTON(sic). (POSTER'S NOTE: Ida is entered twice in the book and all of the information is the same except for the two dates of birth) (Posted by a volunteer-no family connection)

WHL,

Super job! Thats more info on the Houston's than any living family member has in their possession. Never did have the birth days for Ida and Blanche. Family stories have it that Ida became a wild young woman and Blanche became a nurse.

Still looking for Robert Houston info. He was born about 1855. He was the second son of Thomas Houston and Ann Stewart.

I know you folks are busy but if you get the chance, would appreciate anything on Robert.

Thanks,
Bill

Kalamazoo County Clerk’s Marriage Record Book 5, page 326, doc. no. 3862. Groom James HOUSTON; age 44; occ Real estate agent; res Kalamazoo, Michigan; prev. marriages 0; POB N.Y.; father Thomas HOUSTON; mother Ann STUART(sic). Bride Alice VORENKAMP; age 38; res Kalamazoo, Michigan; prev marriages 0; POB Holland, Michigan; father Ripen VORENKAMP; mother Lydia VANZONALUVENBERG(?). DOM 7 Apr 1897; POM Kalamazoo, Michigan; official L. N. Pattison, Pastor of East Ave. M.E. Church; wits Mrs. Luand VORENKAMP & Edward VORENKAMP. (Posted by a volunteer-no family connection)

Kalamazoo County Clerk’s Marriage Record Book 6, page 83, doc. no. 5413. Groom William C. PETTET; age 37; occ Salesman; res Chicago, Ill; prev. marriages 1; POB Greenbush, Wisconsin; father Ozias PETTET; mother Nancy RUSSELL. Bride Ida E. HOUSTON; age 20; occ Dressmaker; res Kalamazoo, Michigan; prev marriages 0; POB Kalamazoo, Michigan; father George HOUSTON; mother Ella BEEBE. DOM 11 Oct 1900; POM Kalamazoo, Michigan; official A. M. Gould, Pastor M.E. Church; wits George HOUSTON & MRS. Cora HOUSTON both of Kalamazoo.(Posted by a volunteer-no family connection)

Kalamazoo County Clerk’s Marriage Record Book 4, page 345, doc. no. 5285. Groom Edward Albert HAYNES; age 22; occ Farmer; res Texas, Kalamazoo Co; POB Texas, Kalamazoo Coo. Bride Arvilla J. HOUSTON; age 18; res Portage, Kalamazoo Co; POB Portage, Kalamazoo Coo. DOM 27 March 1883; POM Kalamazoo, Michigan; official Kendall Brooks, Minister; wits Thomas HOUSTON & Anna HOUSTON both of Kalamazoo.
(Posted by a volunteer-no family connection)

WHL,

I never cease to be amazed at the talent and determination of you volunteers. More questions have been answered.

Ann Stewart is now "Stuart" which is the spelling my grandmother insisted upon being correct. And shes alive in 1883 for Arvilla's wedding. I had thought she had passed away in the late 1860's as she does not appear in the census's of 1870 and 1880.

Absolutely wonderful.

Bill