My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM R. ROUGH. One of the best-known and most prosperous of the manufacturing firms of Berrien County is that of Rough Bros., of which William R. and Solomon Rough are the individual members. The prominence attained by their wagon works among the business enterprises of Buchanan is due in a large measure to the perfect system with which they conduct business and their excellent judgment. Since the inception of the enterprise in 1879, the firm has enjoyed a steady increase of trade, and the merit of their stock and the close attention paid by them to all details of the business have caused their enterprise to become a successful one.

The senior member of the firm is a native of Juniata County, Pa., and was born on the 8th of December, 1832. His father, David, and his grandfather, John Rough, were also natives of Pennsylvania, and the latter, who was a farmer by occupation, came to Berrien County in 1848, and located in Buchanan. Here he died at the age of seventy-two years. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna Rhoads and was born in Pennsylvania, of German descent. They were the parents of five children, namely: William R., of this sketch; Solomon; George H.; Sarah, wife of Peter Womer; and Eliza, Mrs. A. C. House.

At the time Mr. Rough came to Berrien County he was seventeen years old. He was reared on a farm and enjoyed common-school advantages. From boyhood he was interested in farming and made it his occupation until 1879, when he embarked in business as a wagon manufacturer. From the first, as has already been stated, he was successful in his efforts, and now enjoys a well-earned reputation as a prosperous business man. One hundred men are given steady employment in the wagon works, in addition to which the firm has a large number of traveling men throughout the Mississippi Valley.

Politically Mr. Rough is a Democrat. He has served as Justice of the Peace for twenty years and as Treasurer of Bertrand Township for one year. In 1890 he was elected to the position of President of the village and was re-elected for three consecutive terms. Religiously he is a member of the Evangelical Association in Buchanan and is one of the Trustees of the church. His property interests are extensive, and he is the owner of considerable real estate in Berrien County. His landed possessions aggregate six hundred acres, all under cultivation, and sub-divided into farms, from the rental of which he derives a fair income.

In 1853 Mr. Rough married Miss Mary A. Rough and they became the parents of two children. Both the children and the mother are deceased. The second marriage of our subject took place December 8, 1892, and united him with Miss Kate J. Barnhart. This estimable lady was born in Pennsylvania and was there reared to womanhood. She is a lady of great worth of character and is highly regarded by her acquaintances.