of the cows had been taken and sold for beef. In the end, Houston was paid a small amount for his loss, but he continued his challenge and prepared a bill of damages, demanding full compensation. He attempted multiple lawsuits through the Wisconsin courts, failing at the circuit court and the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He personally lobbied the governor, Edward Scofield, and the Legislature, but was still unsuccessful. The legal fight cost most of what remained of his fortune. Personal life and family Robert S. Houston was the third of six children born to David Houston and his wife Therza ( Upton). His paternal grandfather, John Houston, served in the New Hampshire militia during the American Revolutionary War. Robert Houston married twice. He first married widow Lucy M. Stone ( Smith) of Whately, Massachusetts, on January 24, 1849. She died in 1894, and Houston subsequently married Isabella Smith, a niece of his first wife. He had two adopted daughters. He died of edema in Milwaukee on January 5, 1902. Electoral history Wisconsin Assembly (1873) | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General Election, November 4, 1873 Wisconsin Assembly (1876) | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General Election, November 7, 1876 Wisconsin Assembly (1890) | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General Election, November 4, 1890 References External links 1820 births Dairy farmers Farmers from Wisconsin Democratic Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly People from Charlemont, Massachusetts People from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin American stonemasons Wisconsin Reformers (19th century) 19th-century American politicians 1902 deaths