Hough, Arthur M. – d. 1931

HOUGH, MORGAN

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:32

Arthur M. Hough Dies Early Today
Throat Infection Closes Career of Veteran Merchant
Established First Store When City Had Population of Only 2,500
Death came suddenly and unexpectedly to A. M. Hough, one of Newton’s best known business men, at his home, 317 West Fourth street South, this morning at 7:30 o’clock. While the deceased had been suffering for about two years with a malignant throat infection he was not confined to his bed, in fact, he had seemed to be somewhat improved the last ten days. He had been enjoying the balmy spring weather by taking long automobile rides about the city and surrounding country and every trip always included a brief visit at his grocery store before returning to his residence on South Fourth street.
He was about the store a few minutes last evening talking business with his two sons, Roy and Leigh, and chatting with the clerks in whom he always took a personal interest. He seemed to be enjoying unusual comfort last evening in his home and did not tire visiting with his family and reading the papers until after 9 o’clock.
About 7:15 o’clock this morning he suffered a hemorrhage of the throat which defied the skill of physicians to check and the end came within fifteen minutes. The family physician, Mrs. Hough, the two sons and the daughter, Mrs. Walter Morgan, were at the bedside when the end came.
In Business 44 Years
The passing of Arthur M. Hough from the ranks of the businessmen of this city removes an outstanding citizen who has been a part of Newton as an active merchant for forty-four years and a little more. His span of life covered the period of Newton’s greatest growth. When he established the Hough Variety store here in 1887 Newton was a town of about 2500 population. It was a struggle to build up a business in those pioneer days. However, the industry of A. M. Hough, his expert knowledge of merchandising and his experience in handling quality groceries as a traveling salesman won out for him and for many years he has been known as one of the outstanding grocers of the state of Iowa. He weathered many financial storms in his own line of business and passed through many periods of depression in his own community.
Sound Business Methods
As a business man he was very conservative. He operated his store on a business-like basis always. Not until late in life did he make any investments outside his own stores. He was ever bent upon establishing and maintaining an institution upon a strong financial footing so that when trials and tribulations might come he could withstand the most distressing of hardships. In this he succeeded.
His surplus earnings he invested in Newton property – houses and lots – in Newton manufacturing plants, and in stocks, bonds and first mortgages on local properties. He believed in his home town and he often said that his success had been due to the fact that he kept his spare money working close to home where he could see it. He leaves to his wife and family a very comfortable estate. In a way, it might be said he was of the “old school” type of merchant because he kept close personal supervision of his business day in and day out.
Source: Newton Daily News; Thursday, April 16, 1931

To Hold Hough Rites Sunday
Fraternal Organizations to Attend – Pall Bearers Are Selected
Masons, Knights Templar and Knights of Pythias will attend funeral services for Arthur M. Hough, veteran local grocer, at the Methodist Episcopal church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, it was announced today. The Masons and Knights or Pythias will attend in a body, and the Knights Templar will act as escort.
The funeral services will be in charge of the Rev. J. Irvine Walker, and burial will be in Newton Union cemetery. Active pall bearers will be Roy Firman, Herb Brewer, Charles Bockman, Vern Shankland, Leslie Wilson and M. D. Horn, all associated with Mr. Hough in his business here. Honorary pallbearers will be W. E. Denniston, C. F. Morgan, Fred W. Jasper, W. S. Johnson, H. H. Horn, Reece Bond, C. A. Peck, Mr. R. Hammer, jr., and F. L. Maytag.
Many persons from out of the city will be here for the services.
Mr. Hough was a cousin of the late Emerson Hough, noted writer and for years looked after Emerson Hough’s property holdings locally.
Source: Newton Daily News; Friday, April 17, 1931

Hough Originator Of 5 and 10 Store Idea
Had Such an Institution in Operation Here 44 Years Ago
An occasional subject for debate during the lifetime of A. M. Hough among his intimate friends concerned whether Mr. Hough or F. W. Woolworth originated the idea of the five and ten cent store. No matter which man originated it, A. M. Hough and company’s five and ten cent store was doing business 44 years ago in the old Osborne building, where “business was fine” and the monthly rental cost the firm $20.
The small “five and ten,” where Mr. Hough’s father, William H. Hough and Fred Hough were clerks, was the forerunner of the A. M. Hough and Sons stores of today which rank among the finest of their kind in the state. The Hough grocery store especially has a wide reputation for the quality of its merchandise and the speed with which it introduces innovations in grocery lines. The store carries one of the largest grocery stocks in the state.
A. M. Hough entered the grocery business in 1892. At that time the average grocery was the community gathering place, and the cracker barrel was a familiar signpost. Early in his career, the local man found himself with a stock of tomatoes on hand – when few would touch them for fear of being poisoned; but he sold them. The same experience was repeated with bananas. Nobody knew how to eat them. For days debates raged as to whether the bananas should be peeled or eaten unpeeled, cooked, or eaten uncooked. Some persons though they were sweet potatoes.
The first Hough grocery store was started when the Willis McCollom store was purchased in 1892. It was located on the southwest corner of the square, and was one of the two stores operated by the local man at the time. The variety store was then housed in the Stevens building, and later was moved to the room now filled by the Palace market.
Then came the Hough Double Store, located in the Eyerly and Wilson rooms, and the local man, who had been a salesman for the John S. Gould company, resigned that post to devote his whole time to his business. Each of the two rooms occupied cost $400 a year rental.
Grocery business in the early nineties ran about $18,000 a year, and John Edwards and William McGregor, the clerks, were able to handle the trade. Today fifteen clerks are on the payroll.
The firm name was changed in 1908 when L. A. Hough became manager of the variety department, to Hough and Son, and in 1917, when Roy A. Hough became manager of the grocery department; the name became A. M. Hough and Sons.
Mr. Hough was the oldest merchant in the city from the standpoint of continuous service in the same line of business, and was one of the oldest active merchants in the state. He maintained close contact with the two stores here until the very day of his death.
Source: Newton Daily News; Thursday, April 16, 1931