Biography - J. M. Housh

J. M. HOUSH, living on a beautiful farm of one hundred six acres on section 1, Flat Branch Township, Shelby County, is one of the thrifty and prominent general farmers and breeders of stock of this township. The property of which he is the happy possessor, was accumulated by his own efforts and industry. He has greatly beautified the place by keeping it in perfect order and erecting thereon an attractive home and a fine and modernly constructed barn, with other outbuildings that bespeak the care and attention bestowed by the owner.

Our subject began his successful financial career in 1874, since which time he has accomplished all that so evidently marks him to be a man with practical ideas of agriculture. He has not only improved his place and erected the buildings thereon, but has also freed it from debt and stocked it with fine grades of horses, sheep, swine and cattle. Yet young, his energy and ambition destine him to be a rich man and a prominent figure in his community.

The original of our sketch has spent his entire life in this county, with the exception of four years during which he was in the Golden state, and on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. He was not, however, engaged there as a miner, although he was an eager searcher for the precious metal bearing the Government stamp, and this he acquired by honest labor, being variously engaged, but spending the greater part of his time in teaming, which commanded at that time, the best prices. He went West in the fall of 1869, and returned four years later; his journey out was made by the overland route, and while the privations and discomfort of traveling in that way were many, it offered unsurpassed opportunity of seeing the country and observing its various features.

Mr. Housh was born May 25, 1849, on the farm which he now owns, and near where his own house now stands. As he grew up he early learned the necessity of hard labor, and realized the truth in the expression, the "survival of the fittest" and thus determined to show himself as strong as any in the struggle for a livelihood. As soon as he developed into manhood he began to better his condition. He is the second son of John and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Housh, the former having died near Hastings, Neb., in 1888, at the age of seventy-four years. He was a native of Virginia, and came to Illinois while young, being then a single man. He first located in Shelby County, and was one of the early settlers in Flat Branch Township, helping with the general improvements at the same time, making a good farm and home for himself, and was fairly successful in his career. His wife was a native of this State, having been born in Madison County, although reared from childhood in Shelby County, near Pickaway Township. She is yet living and owns a neat little farm of her own on section 1, Flat Branch Township, and at the age of sixty-seven, her faculties are undimned, and she is as bright and energetic as ever. She is now recognized as the oldest settler of Pickaway Township now living, she has a large circle of friends who are the comfort and pleasure she promises her declining years. For many years she has been a prominent member of the Old School Baptist Church.

Our subject was married in 1871 to Miss Rebecca Lord, who was born in Macon County, Ill., in 1857. There she was reared to womanhood. She was a daughter of Andrew and Mary Lord, both still living and prominent farmers of Macon County. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Housh, one, the first born, died young. The little one had been christened Nora N. The living children are: Lottie N., Gid., Nellie, Earl, Luella and Jessie. All of the children live at home, and are at the same time the joy and care of their devoted parents.

Extracted 05 Feb 2020 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 660-661.

Templates in Time