Older Brother of Henry Houchin who also was in this unit. William Houchin was born in Illinois in 1836. He married Caroline Hedges 27 Oct 1859 in Livingston County, Illinois recorded in Book C., page 163. William and Caroline are in the 1860 census for Newtown Twp. with no children.

Record Source: Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls

Name: William R Houchins Rank: Private Company G 129th Illinois Infantry

Height: 5' 10 Hair: DARK Eyes: BLUE Complexion: DARK

Marital status: Married Occupation: Farmer

Birth Date: Abt 1836 Birth Place: Newtown, Livingston CO, IL

Service Entry Age: 26 Date: 12 Aug 1862 Place: Pontiac, IL

Joined By Whom: A J CROPSY Period: 3 YRS

Muster In Date: 8 Sep 1862 Muster In Place: Pontiac, IL

Remarks: DIED DEC 17, 1862 AT BOWLING GREEN KY OF DISEASE

Residence Place: Newtown, Livingston CO, IL

William died at Bowling Green, Kentucky 17 Dec 1862.

William is listed in the widow's pension records of Fold 3. There you will see proof of service, his marriage record, and multiple papers saying he died of measles. Most of the records though center on his wife and children. Wm. and Caroline had 3 children, Albert , b. 30 August 1860, Ida b. 23 Feb 1862 and later married a Mr. Shyrer, and Rilie Anna or Rileianna b. 13 May 1863. Poor William never saw this baby as he had died before she was born. The pension also shows that the widow Caroline married for a 2nd time to George N. Arterbern in Livingston County, IL on 2 Nov. 1869. They moved to Butler County, Kansas. After George died around 1889, Caroline is able once again to apply for a pension. She died ca 1907.