My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE ANGHOUSE, a farmer residing on section 28, Degognia Township, Jackson County, where he owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of fine bottom land, was born in Cincinnati about the year 1841 or 1842. His mother dying at his birth, and his father when he was only four years old, the record of his birth is forever lost. To have some day by which to count his years, he has chosen November 22 as the anniversary of his birth. This is one of the few instances known in which a man has chosen his own birthday.

After the death of his parents, our subject was taken into a family to be reared, but being ill-treated, an uncle, Henry Plump, took compassion on the child and took him into his own family. About the time George was four years old, the family removed to Indiana and settled near Evansville, where the uncle died four years later. The orphaned lad continued to reside with the family until his nineteenth year, when he started out in life for himself. His schooling was very limited, and the information he has gained upon topics of current or historical importance has been acquired through self-culture.

The first work to occupy the mind and energy of Mr. Anghouse was in a brick yard in Evansville, where he was employed during the season of 1860. Spending the following winter at home, the spring found him at work on a farm opposite Henderson, Ky., where he remained until the late autumn. The next year he was again employed in the brick yard in which he had previously been at work, and was advanced to a better position than he had previously held. The following four years were spent in working on the farm upon which he had been formerly employed, followed by a winter season in a sawmill. The next year he took charge of the engine of the sawmill, in which occupation he continued for the four ensuing years. In the meantime he moved to Jackson County, Ill., and has at various times since been similarly employed.

February 14, 1871, Mr. Anghouse was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of David and Parmelia (Tindal) Rigs, natives respectively of Tennessee and Chester, Ill. Mrs. Anghouse was born in Chester November 5, 1854, and was the fourth in a family of eight children born to her parents. There were also two children born to her father of a former marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Anghouse have had eleven children, four of whom survive: Amy E., Fred, Mary and August. Of those deceased, one died unnamed in infancy. The others were Annabelle, Barbara, George E., John H., Parmelia M. and Emma.

For a number of years Mr. Anghouse engaged in farming on rented land, but in 1889 he purchased his present holding and began to improve it and make a home for his declining years. His residence is a comfortable two-story frame house, and the necessary barns and outbuildings on his place are conveniently arranged, making in all a fine homestead. In religious belief Mr. Anghouse is a member of the Lutheran Church, his nearest place of worship being Fountain Bluff. It was by a minister of this church that those of his children that have received the ordinance were baptized. In politics he is a Republican and gives that party his earnest support.