My Genealogy Hound

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 schoolhouse 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. Her parents were John and Rebecca (Dalby) Mercer, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, and who were reared and married in Frederick County, the latter State. After the birth of seven children, they, in 1826, removed to Ohio with their family, making the journey overland 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.