Jesse Houchin was born November 10, 1825 in Pike County, Ohio to Jesse and Mary Allisson Houchin. In 1830, his parents moved him to Highland Township, Indiana, then to Warren County where they remained for almost 20 years. He married Elizabeth Jackson April 9, 1846 in Ohio. In 1851 they moved to Helt Township where the remaining 5 of their 8 children were born. They were the parents of Martha S., John S., Mary M., Jessie E., Alice C., Daniel V., William E. and Lawrence B. He was a farmer by trade, but also was interested in promoting the material welfare of his township and county. He donated the land for the cemetery where he is buried, as he stated it was not good farm land with the hill. He died September 17, 1905 in Indiana. He is buried in Pisgah Cemetery.
He is of Scotch and Welsh ancestry, but for three generations prceding him, his paternal ancestors were natives of Virginia. His father, Jesse Houchin, was born in Amherst county, Virginia, June 10, 1770. His grandfather, William Houchin, was born in Buckingham county, as was his grandfather, John Houchin. His mother was Mary Allison, daughter of Thomas Allison, of New York state. Five of his uncles were soldiers in the War of 1812. Moses and Charles Houchin, and Jesse, James, and Daniel Allison. His parents emigrated from Virginia to Pike county about 1820, and in 1830 emigrated from Pike county, Ohio and settled in Vermillion county, Indiana, and then to Warren county, Indiana, and lived there twenty years.
Jesse Houchin remained with his parents until manhood. When not employed at work on the farm, he attended the subscription schools. In February, 1851, he moved to Helt Township, Vermillion county and there improved a farm on which he now lives.
He was married April 9, 1846, to Elizabeth Jackson, daughter of John and Lydia (Short) Jackson. They have raised eight children to man and womanhood: Martha S., John S., Mary M., Jessie E., Alice C., Daniel V., William E., and Lawrence Bruce. Daniel, William, Martha, and Jessie are now deceased.
Martha married William Malone, and has nine children. John S. married Endora Johnson, no children. Mary M. is the wife of Silas Davis and has thirteen children. Jessie E. married James M. Morgan and has one child. Alice is the wife of Frank P. Thorn and has one child. Daniel V. married Alice S. Earls and has one child. Lawrence Bruce married Pearl Smith and has three children.
Mr. Houchin has been a citizen of Warren and Vermillion Counties for over sixty-five years. In politics he is a Democrat; no one need ask how he votes.
Jesse & Elizabeth (Jackson) Houchin 50th Anniversary Invitation
February 1896, Hillsdale, Indiana
Invitation - You are cordially invited to attend the Fiftieth Anniversary of Our Marriage, Which will occur April 9, 1896.
I wish to send my relatives at a distance traditions and my recollections of the Houchin family. In order to make it more plain I will copy from the Vermillion County Historical Record.
I now say to all my relatives that I have a good many promises from my relatives at a distance, that they will be here on the ninth of next April. All come that receive this notice.
Free livery from Hillsdale to my residence.
/s/ Jesse Houchin
75th Birthday Invitation
Nov 10, 1825 - Nov 10, 1900
Jesse Houchin requests the pleasure of your company at his home
Nov 10, 1900, for Dinner
In honor of his 75th birthday anniversary