Biographical History of Pottawattmie Co., IA

. R. HOUGH, a farmer and raiser of livestock in Hazel Dell Township, was born in Oswego County, New York, August 7, 1821, the son of Joel and Sally (Stillson) Hough, natives of Connecticut, and of Irish and German ancestry. After their marriage the parents moved from Connecticut into the State of New York; in 1841 they came to Lee County, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their days, the mother dying October 19, 1842, and the father about 1844. J. R., the youngest of their children and the only one now living, was reared in his native State, and was nineteen years of age when he came to Iowa with his parents. April 5, 1842, he married Miss Cedilia P. Spinnings, who was born in Oneida County, New York, June 30, 1824, the daughter of Edward H. and Eliza (Darling) Spinnings, natives of the Empire State and of German and Irish descent. Mrs. Hough is the eldest of their three children. She has one brother and one sister, the former in Colorado and the latter in California. After his marriage Mr. Hough located in Lee County, just mentioned, and in 1848 he removed to Pottawattamie County, locating in what is now Hazel Dell Township. Two years afterward he moved into Harrison County, and two years after that again he returned to this county, residing near Council Bluffs a year, and finally he purchased a claim of about eighty acres on section 8, Hazel Dell Township. He has since entered 120 acres adjoining and purchased more, until he now has a total of 326 acres, on section 8, 9, 4, and 5. When he first settled there the only improvement was a log cabin and five acres fenced, and he has since thoroughly improved the place and made a home as attractive as any in that part of the county; but he had to undergo many hardships and suffer much and long before he reached the topmost round of the ladder. Besides thus earning his own prosperity he has also done much toward the improvement of the community. His present commodious residence, a frame 28 x 20 with an addition of fourteen feet square, was erected in 1867. Beautiful shade trees ornament the grounds, and good barns, etc. which he has erected for his stock and grain.

Politically he has been an active Democrat, taking a zealous and intelligent interest in public affairs. He has been Township Trustee, member of the School Board, etc. Not only has he witnessed the growth of the county from its primeval state to its present high stage, but he has put his own "shoulder to the wheel" and aided in the processes which have been so effectual, and thus has won for himself a large circle of friends. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He has had eight children, namely: Morris A., George R., Frances and Adalbert, all residents of Hazel Dell Township, Frances being the wife of Frederick Wright; Edgar B. and Laura Ellen, both deceased. The latter was the wife of Henry Cafferty, a resident of this township; Seraph C., also deceased, the wife of Ephraim Ross, of Harrison County; Ida A., wife of Isaac Goodwin, of Colorado.

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