Erick A. and Gilbert A. Houg

HOUG, OLESDATER, HERMUNDPLADSEN, JOHNSON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/29/2010 at 05:25:11

ERICK A. AND GILBERT A. HOUG

Erick A. and Gilbert A. Houg, composing the firm of Houg Brothers, are successfully engaged in the automobile business at Thompson, Iowa, where they own a fine modern garage on Main street. They handle the Chevrolet cars and do a general repairing business, both members of the firm being expert mechanics and men of good business ability.

Natives of Green county, Wisconsin, Erick A. Houg was born May 19, 1872, and his brother Gilbert A., was born on the 14th of January, 1878. Their parents were Isaac and Barbara (Olesdater) Houg, who came to this country from Norway in 1869 and took up their abode in Green county, Wisconsin, where the father worked as a farm hand until 1877. He then purchased forty acres of land, which he improved and cultivated until 1890, when he sold the place to his son, although he built another house on the land and continued to reside there a few years longer. In 1904, however, he went to Virginia and made his home in that state up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1913 when he was about eighty-two years of age, for he was born in Norway on the 26th of February, 1831. In that country he was married June 29, 1860, to Miss Barbara Olesdater Hermundpladsen, who was born there March 3, 1835, and died November 25, 1881. By that union there were seven children, namely: Ole, born April 28, 1861; Dorothy, who was born June 27, 1864, and died February 18, 1871; Ole, born January 11, 1867; Andrew, born March 15, 1870; Erick A., born May 19, 1872; Martin, who was born February 14, 1875, and died in the spring of 1910; and Gilbert A., born January 14, 1878.

Erick A. Houg was reared and educated in Wisconsin and at the early age of twelve years began work as a farm hand. In the spring of 1892 he went to Callender, Webster county, Iowa, where he worked until the following fall, and then began learning the blacksmith's trade at Dows, where he spent two years. At the end of that time he returned to Wisconsin but after working at his trade there for one summer again came to Dows, Iowa. Shortly afterward, however, he came to Thompson, Winnebago county, where he followed blacksmithing two years, after which we again find him in Dows, where he worked at his trade until the spring of 1900. Mr. Houg then formed a partnership with Henry Erickson and engaged in general blacksmithing at Thompson under the firm name of Erickson & Houg for one year, at the end of which time our subject sold out and returned to Wisconsin. On the 1st of August, 1901, he went to Bricelyn, Minnesota, where he worked at blacksmithing for C. K. Sabo until January, 1902, at which time he returned to Thompson, Iowa, and forming a partnership with his brother Gilbert A. leased and operated a blacksmith shop for one year. They then purchased the same and continued to carry on blacksmithing until the spring of 15)13, when they rented the shop and turned their attention to the automobile business. They erected a good up-to-date garage on Main street, where they do general repairing as well as take care of cars, and they act as agents for the Chevrolet automobile.

Gilbert A. Houg also attended the public schools of his native state and in early life began earning his own livelihood as a farm hand. Like his brother he learned the blacksmith's trade under the direction of L. J. Rude at Dows, Iowa, and he continued to work at that occupation until he embarked in the automobile business as a member of the firm of Houg Brothers. They are both stockholders of the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers and Town Mutual Switchboard Company and are numbered among the leading business men of the community.

On the 5th of March, 1903, Erick A. Houg was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda S. Johnson, a daughter of Stephen and Martha Johnson, pioneers of Faribault county, Minnesota, now living in Bricelyn. Mr. Houg and his wife have adopted two of her sister's children, namely: Mabel Overlee, born March 15, 1905; and Sanford Overlee, born February 20, 1911. Gilbert A. Houg was married November 26, 1903, to Miss Cynthia Olson, a daughter of Michael and Thona Olson, who were early settlers of Dows, Wright county, Iowa. Mrs. Houg died September 25, 1910, after a short illness, leaving a little son, Merrill A., who was born April 27, 1907.

Both brothers are Lutherans in religious faith and cast their ballots with the republican party. They take a commendable interest in public affairs and Erick is now serving as a member of the town council. He is also treasurer of the switchboard company of which he and his brother are stockholders. They stand high in the esteem of their fellow citizens and well merit the success they have achieved in life, as it is due entirely to their own enterprise, good management and untiring industry.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 174-175.