Charles Houchen was born in 1817 in Hingham and was the son of William King Houchen (1794) and Susannah George, and the grandson of Edmund Houchen (1733). He married Susan Clarke in Hingham in 1840. In 1847 he was a witness at the wedding of his sister Mary Ann. In 1851 he was a labourer living at Whittle End, North Witchford, Cambs. The family emigrated to America sometime before 1861. In 1880 he was farming in Centralia, Marion County, Illinois.

Sources
• 1. Hingham Parish Registers. Charles Howchin. Son of William and Susan Howchin. Married Susan Clarke in 1840. • 2. 1851 Census. Whittle End, North Witchford, Cambs. Charles Houchen. Age 34, Labourer. Born Hingham. • 3. Marriage Certificate. Charles Houchen. Witness at sister Mary Ann's marriage,1847. • 4. 1880 US Census. Centralia, Marion, Illinois. Charles Houchen. Head. Age 63. Farmer. Born England.