Ole HOUG

HOUG, HANSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/16/2013 at 14:51:30

Ole Houg needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. While now engaged in merchandising at Dows, Wright county, he is one of the old settlers of Franklin county, where he still has many friends. He was born in Norway, January 11, 1867, and is a son of Aslak and Barbara Houg, also natives of the land of the midnight sun. The father brought his family to America in 1869, when his son Ole was two years of age. There were seven children, six sons and a daughter, but the latter died in infancy. The family made their way to Green county, Wisconsin, where the father secured a small farm. There the family continued to reside for many years, but after the mother's death, which occurred in that state, the father moved to Virginia, where he died in 191I2, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.

Ole Houg, who was the third child in order of birth, was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin and when eighteen years of age went to Lafayette county, that state, where he made his initial step in the business world by securing employment in a store, there remaining for four years. On the expiration of that period he left Wisconsin and made his way to Dows, Iowa, where he entered the employ of the firm of Johnson & Hanson, with whom he continued for seven years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to engage in business on his own account. He then entered into partnership with J. L. Sinclair in the conduct of a general mercantile establishment at Alexander, Franklin county. They conducted the business for six years and then dissolved partnership, Mr. Houg, however, retaining and conducting the business until 1913, when he returned to Dows, where he now conducts a store and makes his home. In 1910 he was made postmaster at Alexander and still fills the position.

In 1890 occurred the marriage of Mr. Houg and Miss Maria Hanson, of Wiota, Wisconsin, a daughter of Ole and Maren Hanson. The father was a farmer by occupation, and both he and his wife have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Houg have three children, two sons and a daughter, who in order of birth are as follows: Orville Adlai, who attends the Ellsworth College at Iowa Falls and will graduate in 1916; Myron Bert, who is attending high school at Dows; and Cora Dilia, who is also a high-school pupil.

Mr. and Mrs. Houg are members of the Lutheran church, loyal to its teachings and generous in its support. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias and a Modern Woodman and in the camp of the latter he was clerk for fifteen years. His political activity has found expression in his membership in the county central committee. He was also the first town clerk of Alexander and was a member of the school board. He is recognized in the community as a resourceful and forceful business man and citizen. In his commercial connections he is progressive and enterprising and recognizes and improves his opportunities. Wherever he is known he is popular, his many sterling traits of character winning for him the high regard of all with whom he comes in contact.

History of Franklin County, Iowa by I. L. Stuart, 1914.