Transcription contributed by Arne H Trelvik 29 Jun 2005

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859

JOSIAH HOUGH, tile manufacturer, Raysville; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Oct. 5, 1823; is a son of Townsend and Catharine Hough; he was a native of Peach Bottom, Penn., and was a descendent of John Hough and his wife Hannah Janney. Townsend Hough married Catherine McCurdy, and came to Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, June 23, 1838. His paternal grandparents were Jonathan Hough, of New Jersey, and Ann Michner, his wife. Jonathan Hough's great-grandfather was the John Hough above mentioned of Penn's Colony, who was drowned in attempting to swim the Delaware, to meet the Provincial Assembly, of which he was a member. The subject of this sketch was in his 15th year, when his father's family came to Warren Co., Ohio; here he grew to maturity; was married Oct. 1, 1843, to Miss Phebe, daughter of Amos and Margaret (Blackford) Kelsey, natives of Kentucky, but who came among the early settlers of this county; the Kelsey family located near the north line of Clear Creek Township, and the Blackford family near Ridgeville. Amos Kelsey was a son of Daniel Kelsey. Margaret Blackford was a daughter of Nathaniel Blackford, who settled near Ridgeville about 1797, one of the first pioneers. Amos and Margaret Kelsey were parents of eleven children; five now survive - Phebe, Amos, Albert, Jane and Mollie. Mr. Hough and wife have had twelve children; six now survive - Amos, Catherine (now Mrs. Thomas Johns), William, Charles, Ida (now Mrs. Charles Hosier), and Nettie. Mr. Hough first located in Clear Creek Township, and engaged for several years in farming. About 1869, he removed to Raysville and engaged in the mercantile trade, till the spring of 1874, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Edwin Sweny in the manufacture of tile, which business he has since followed. They are devoting their whole attention to this business, and are doing an extrensive [sic] trade. They manufacture the best of tile, and have a sale for all they can make. Mr. Hough is a very active, industrious man, and takes great interest in all public improvements and progress of his community. He has been Assessor and Trustee of his township, and is one of the substantial citizens of this community.