HOUGHTON, Nellie and Trot

Nellie (abt age 8) & "Trot" Houghton,
Uncle Tom's nieces

UPDATE - these two photos are going home to Louise "Trot" Houghton's great-grandson.

These two photos of Nellie Houghton were located today at the Stone Soup Antique Mall in Ballston Spa New York. The photos were taken in Saratoga Springs circa 1885-1890.

Nellie Houghton,  at age 4?
(Mrs. George Clements)

The 1900 Census for Saratoga Springs, NY, 111 Henry Street
HOUGHTON, William O., head, 52, born Aug 1847 in NY, occupation "Mchr."
HOUGHTON, Margaret, wife, 52, born Apr 1848 in Ireland of Irish parents
HOUGHTON, Nellie L., daughter, 19, born Apr 1881 in NY, at school
HOUGHTON, Louise J., daughter, 15, born July 1884 in NY, at school
HOLLAND, Sanford, boarder, 18, born Nov 1881, occupation "laborer"
COSTELLO, James, boarder, 40, born Aug 1859 in NY of Irish parents, occupation "policeman"

Father William O. Houghton lived to age 74, passing in 1920.
Mother Margaret's maiden name was Costello, and she was likely the older sister of the boarder James Costello. She died in 1901. She had several brothers, one of whom was named Thomas, and may be the "Uncle Tom" mentioned in the caption above.

The 1905 City Directory shows that Nellie Houghton is a librarian at the local High School, and resides at 111 Henry Street. Her father, William O. works at an ice cream and confectioners' shop, also lives at 111 Henry. Louise would be around age 20 at that time, but there is no mention of her in the directory, under that name.

1930 Census, Saratoga Springs, NY, 30 York Avenue
CLEMENTS, George I., head, 51, ticket agent
CLEMENTS, Nellie H., wife, 49

I was able to locate a record on Findagrave.com for Nellie Houghton right away. She was born in 1881 and died in 1941. I was a bit curious about why she was listed there by her maiden name when the photo clearly indicated she had been married.

A bit more research at Ancestry.com revealed that her husband George Irving Clements died in Saratoga Springs NY in 1934 of a self-inflicted bullet wound to the head. He had been depressed over decreased hours at his job as a ticket agent at the Schenechtady Railway Company. This could have been reason enough for Nellie to return to her maiden name following such a tragic event.

Nellie and her parents are buried at the Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs NY.

I cannot find any reference to a "Trot" Houghton, but my guess is this person is Louise Houghton, Nellie's younger sister. She is found in the 1895 State Census as "Lulu J. Houghton."