BIOGRAPHY: David J. HOUGH, Mifflin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by P. S. Barr Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/mifflin/ _______________________________________________ The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, page 680. DAVID J. HOUGH, Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., a resident of Granville township, was born in Milford township, Juniata county, Pa., October 21, 1848, son of David and Eliza (Davault) Hough. David Hough, generally known as Major Hough, was born in Wayne county, O., in March, 1805. He was educated in Ohio, and studied the art of surveying, which he practised after coming to Mifflin county, for the rest of his life. He was an accurate and reliable measurer of land, just and conscientious in his business, as he was in all the affairs of life. He was a Democrat, and zealous in the support of his opinions. Major Hough was a consistent member of the Baptist church; he was widely known, as he practised his profession not only in Mifflin, but in the surrounding counties, and everywhere there was but one opinion as to his ability and integrity. Mrs. David Hough was a daughter of Joel and Mary (Shuster) Davault. Joel Davault came from the State of Delaware to Juniata county, Pa. He constructed a section of one mile of the Pennsylvania Canal. In his later years he became an agriculturist, cultivating his farm near Lewistown, Mifflin county. The children of Major and Mrs. Hough, besides David J., are: Joel; Mary (Mrs. William Shimp), has seven children; Ann (Mrs. Robert Van Noomer), has seven children; Ellen (Mrs. David Holtzapfel), has five children; Rachel (Mrs. Albert Sweeton); Margaret (Mrs. George Craig), has two children; and Mercy (Mrs. Charles Scott), has one child. Mrs. Hough died at the age of sixty-nine years, seven months and twelve days. Her husband attained the age of seventy- nine years, eleven months and twenty-one days. David J. Hough was educated in the public schools of Juniata county. He resided with his father until 1876, the year of his marriage, when he removed to the homestead farm, which he cultivates, and which has been his home ever since that time. While strictly attentive to the business of his calling, in which his abundant success proves his ability and good judgment, he is also actively interested in local affairs. His fellow citizens have called him to look after one of their highest interests, the education of their children, and for three years he has served as school director. Like his father, Mr. Hough is an ardent Democrat. David J. Hough was married, November 20, 1876, to May, daughter of William W. and Rachel (Mann) Johnson. Their children are: Nellie; Clarence; Frank; William; and Esther. Mr. Hough and his family attend the Lutheran church at Lewistown.