Catherine Houston

Brief Life History of Catherine

When Catherine Houston was born on 12 March 1831, in Canton Township, Stark, Ohio, United States, her father, James Houston, was 52 and her mother, Mary Magdalena Ettleman, was 45. She married Horace Martin Alexander on 15 February 1849, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 8 daughters. She lived in Parowan, Iron, Utah, United States in 1860 and Provo, Utah, Utah, United States for about 10 years. She died on 22 March 1900, in Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah, United States, at the age of 69, and was buried in Springville City Cemetery, Springville, Utah, Utah, United States.

Photos and Memories (16)

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Family Time Line

Horace Martin Alexander
1812–1881
Catherine Houston
1831–1900
Marriage: 15 February 1849
William Denton Alexander
1851–1931
Mary Helen Alexander
1854–1935
Eliza Fredonia Alexander
1855–1917
Franklin David Alexander
1858–1954
Flora Adalea Alexander
1859–1942
Heber Martin Alexander
1860–1861
Susan Adelia Alexander
1862–1893
Ophelia Leonia Alexander
1864–1924
Lucy Jane Alexander Collett
1866–1908
Charles Alexander
1869–
Blanche A Alexander
1870–1886
Maud Alexander
1875–1924

Sources (31)

  • Catharine Alexander in household of Horace Alexander, "United States Census, 1880"
  • Catherine Houston Alexander, "Find A Grave Index"
  • Catherine Huston, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Record of Members (Worldwide), 1836-1970"

World Events (8)

1832 · The Black Hawk War

Convinced that a group of Native American tribes were hostile, The United States formed a frontier militia to stop them in their tracks. Even though Black Hawk was hoping to avoid bloodshed while trying to resettle on tribal land, U.S. officials opened fire on the Native Americans. Black Hawk then responded to this confrontation by successfully attacking the militia at the Battle of Stillman's Run and then left northward. After a few months the militia caught up with Black Hawk and his men and defeated them at the Battle of Wisconsin Heights. While being weakened by hunger, injuries and desertion, Black Hawk and the rest of the many native survivors retreated towards the Mississippi. Unfortunately, Black Hawk and other leaders were later captured when they surrendered to the US forces and were then imprisoned for a year.

1839 · Nauvoo is Settled

After the Saints had been chased out of Missouri they moved to a swampy area located next to the Mississippi River. Here they settled and named the place Nauvoo which translates into the city beautiful.

1850 · Tornado Finishes off the Temple

On May 27, 1850, a tornado came through Nauvoo and took the remaining outer walls of the temple. It was the most frightful thing the city had witnessed. Not just a tornado but also lightening, thunder, wind, hail and rain assailed the spot. Over time what was not destroyed by the storm crumbled until only a small amount was left.

Name Meaning

Scottish: habitational name from the barony of Houston (Renfrewshire), from the genitive case of the personal name Hugh + Middle English, Older Scots ton ‘town, village, settlement’ (Old English tūn ‘enclosure, settlement’). The landlord in question was a certain Hugo de Paduinan, who held the place c. 1160. The Scottish surname is also common in Ulster.

Irish: variant of McCutcheon from Mac Uisdein or Mac Uistein.

History: In 1836 the newly founded city of Houston, TX, was named in honor of Sam Houston (1793–1863), soldier and statesman. As commander in chief of the Texan army he achieved Texas independence from Mexico by routing the army of the Mexican general Santa Anna. His ancestors were Ulster Scots who had emigrated to Philadelphia, PA, in the 18th century.

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

Possible Related Names

Story Highlight

Life Sketch of Catherine Houston Alexander

By Helen Alexander Harvey “Mary Helen Alexander Harvey” My Mother, Catherine Houston Alexander was born in Stark County Ohio on March 18, 1831. Her parents, James Houston and Nancy Ettleman Hou …

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