PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
pg 444
JOHN HOUGH.
A retired farmer, formerly a resident of Silver Creek Township,
removed in 1882, to Jamestown, where he has a pleasant home on Washington Street
and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. He built his present residence
since the removal and besides this is the owner of seventy-five acres of choice
farming land, which is the source of a handsome income annually.
The subject of this notice, a native of
Greene County, was born in Silver Creek Township, April 22, 1822 and pursued his
early studies in the log school house during the pioneer days, while at the same
time he was taught to make himself useful about his father’s homestead. He
remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, but after his
marriage went to Fayette County. There he engaged in the mercantile business and
also built a steam sawmill near Main Point, which he and his partner, Mr.
CLEMENS operated together for five years. He then took in a new partner, Mr.
SHEELEY and under the name of HOUGH & SHEELEY, they operated for another
five years, when they sold out and Mr. HOUGH returned to Silver Creek Township.
Next, in company with his brother-in-law,
Mr. HOUGH began operating the old MERCER farm, upon which he lived until the
removal to Jamestown. He was married April 15, 1853, to Miss Eveline MERCER.
This lady was a native of Ross Township, Greene County and was born August 15,
1830. After the birth of seven children, they in 1826, removed to Ohio with
their family making the journey overland to Ohio with teams. After living two
years in the vicinity of Jamestown, they settled on a new farm in Ross Township
and there the father died, June 28, 1880, when nearly ninety-one years old,
having been born September 14, 1789. Mrs. MERCER was born October 27, 1795 and
died at the old homestead in Ross Township June 7, 1873. Both were active
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which Mr. MERCER for many years
officiated as a Class-Leader and was in other ways prominent in church affairs.
Mrs. HOUGH was reared and educated in Ross Township remaining under the home roof until her marriage. She was one of fifteen children, eight of whom are living. She received careful home training and a fair education in the common school and developed into an intelligent and attractive womanhood. To Mr. and Mrs. HOUGH were born no children. They are regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Jamestown of which Mrs. HOUGH has been a member for many years. In former years Mr. HOUGH affiliated with the Republican Party, but he is now a lively Prohibitionist, totally opposed to the manufacture and sale of intoxicating drinks. He has never sought office, but keeps himself well posted upon current events and endeavors to give his support to the enterprises best calculated for the welfare and advancement of his fellowmen.
transcribed by Jean Hehn
25 Mar 2002