For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 632
JAMES AND ISABEL TOUGH....One of the best improved farms in Fulton township is the old Tough homestead, which for more than fifty years was the home of the family. The first to reside there were James and Isabel ( McConach ) Tough, both natives of Scotland. The father was born in June, 1823, and the mother on the 12th of August, 1827. In 1854 they emigrated to the United States and located in Ohio but after one year's rsidence in that state decided to come farther west and removed to Muscatine county, Iowa. Here they settled upon a farm which they rented, continuing to cultivate leased land for ten years, but at the expiration of that period they had by means of thrift, careful management and much self-denial accumulated sufficient capital to enable them to buy eighty acres of land in Fulton township. They were both industrious and persevering and were able to add to their original purchase from time to time until at their deaths they had accumulated four hundred acres of valuable land.They were the parents of eleven children, who are as follows : Margaret, who was born in Scotland on the 21st of January,1848, is living with her brothers, John and Charles. James, born on the 12th of December, 1854,is living in Jasper county, Iowa. John, born the 10th of March, 1860, and Charles, born the 21st of June 1866, are now residents of Muscatine. David, born the 31st of May, 1871, resides in Earlham, Iowa. Sarah I., born on the 4th of May, 1872, is the wife of Abraham Eis, of Muscatine county. George died at the age of seven years. William died in infancy. Edwin and Irwin, twins, are both deceased. Samuel died in infancy. The children all received common-school educations.
The family always attended the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the parents were life-long members. The father passed away in 1886 and the mother two years later, both being laid to rest in Blue Grass cemetery, Scott county, Iowa. Mr. Tough always voted the republican ticket but was never an office seeker. He and his wife were held in high esteem in the community where they lived for so many years.
The two sons John and Charles Tough, remained at home with their parents and after the death of the mother they bought the interests of the other heirs and together with their sister Margaret continued to reside on the old homestead until the 1st of March, 1911, when they removed to Muscatine. They now rent the farm, which is located on sections 20 and 21, Fulton township, and contains four hundred acres of most fertile and valuable land. In addition to their agricultural pursuits the brothers made a specialty of raising stock of all kinds, in which they have met with success.
Ever since they attained their majority they have been identified with the republican party, and although they do not take an active interest in politics, not aspiring to public office, at the same time they are at the polls on election day to fulfill their responsibility as citizens by casting their votes for the candidates of their party. They are highly regarded in the community where they have spent their entire lives.
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