My Genealogy Hound

MAJ. WILLIAM T. HOUGH. As one of the early pioneers of Clark County, Mr. Hough deserves more than a passing notice. He came to this section of country during the period of its early development and has contributed his full quota toward its subsequent growth and prosperity. He makes his headquarters at a well-regulated farm on section 13, Moorefield Township, where by a course of industry and prudence, he has surrounded himself and his family with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

A native of Loudoun County, Va., the subject of this notice was born December 25, about 1811, and is the son of John and Jane (Braden) Hough, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. His paternal ancestors are believed to have been of English origin. Grandfather Hough settled in Virginia at an early day, prior to the Revolutionary War, and spent his last days there. To John Hough and his estimable wife there was born a family of nine children and William T. is the only survivor. The Hough family as far back as the records go have been Quakers in religious belief. William T. was reared to farming pursuits and spent his boyhood and youth in his native State, remaining under the parental roof. His father died when he was a lad of eleven years and being the eldest son, he naturally assumed many of the labors belonging to older years. He assisted his mother and gradually assumed the principal labors on the farm to the neglect of his education, but grew up healthful in mind and body and availed himself of the opportunity of reading whenever the occasion permitted, thus keeping himself posted upon current events.

Mr. Hough was married in Fauquier County, in January, 1831, to Miss Louisa Bowersett and to them was born a family of nine children of whom only four are living. John is a farmer by occupation and one of the Trustees of Moorefield Township; George, makes his home in Tenn.; Annie, the wife of Francis Farel, and Elizabeth, Mrs. Heffebower, a widow, are both residents of Springfield. In the fall of 1833 Mr. Hough with his wife and one child, left the Old Dominion and coming to Ohio located upon the land which constitutes his present farm. It bore but little resemblance then to its present condition, being principally wild and uncultivated, and it required the labor of years and the outlay of thousands of dollars to bring about the present improvements. The home farm comprises one hundred and forty acres while Mr. Hough has nineteen and seventy one-hundredth acres elsewhere in the township. As an example of a man commencing in life without other resources than his own industry and perseverance, he certainly presents in his life and surroundings an admirable illustration of that which may be accomplished by a resolute will and good management. His well-tilled acres yield annually handsome returns and he has a prospect of a competence for his declining years.

Mrs. Louisa Hough departed this life at the homestead some years since. Mr. Hough contracted a second marriage February 14, 1882, with Mrs. Caroline Chester and there has been born to them one daughter, Addie. Mr. Hough cast his first Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson and remains a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. He has served as Justice of the Peace of Moorefield Township. During his younger years he took an active interest in military affairs and at one time served in the Ohio militia as the Aid-de-camp of Gen. Kiefer during the Mexican War.

The present wife of our subject was born in Clark County, November 16, 1843, and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (House) Sheeder. Her parents were natives of Chester County, Pa., whence they emigrated to Ohio in 1835, settling in Moorefield Township, Clark County, among its earliest pioneers. The father occupied himself as a farmer and wagon-maker. They brought with them their three children and three more were subsequently added to the household circle. Five are now living, viz: John, a resident of Springfield; Ambrose living in Bird City, Kan.; Joseph, of Dallas, Tex; Isaac in Dakota aud Mrs. Hough. One daughter, Margaret, died March 10, 1866, in Indiana aged thirty-five years. Both parents are deceased. They were people greatly respected in their community and members in good standing of the Lutheran Church. They traced their ancestry to Germany Mrs. Hough belongs to the Methodist Church.

The deceased children of Mr. Hough by his first wife are — Nannie S. C., Marietta, William, Sarah and Ellen.