University of Virginia Library

JOHN ELLIOTT HOUGH

Among those who came to Roanoke when it was but
a village may be mentioned the subject of this sketch.
John Elliott Hough was born in Clarke County, Virginia,
February 25th,
1852, and his early education
was acquired in
the private schools of
his native county. He
is a son of Armistead
and Harriett (Elliott)
Hough and at the age of
sixteen with his parents
removed to Jefferson
County, West Virginia,
where he served an
apprenticeship to the
blacksmith trade. He
accepted a position in
the blacksmith department
of the shops of the
Shenandoah Valley Railroad
Company at
Shenandoah, Virginia, in
1881 and was transferred to Roanoke one year later.
He entered the shops of the Norfolk & Western Railway
Company of this city the day they were opened, and in
point of service is the oldest man in that department.
He has been continuously in the service of the Norfolk
and Western Railway for the past twenty-nine years,
with the exception of two years, which time he was connected
with the American Bridge and Iron Company.

Mr. Hough has always taken an active interest in
municipal matters, and affairs pertaining to the welfare
of the city. He represented the old Fourth Ward in
the City Council in 1892 and in 1893 and 1894 was appointed
to fill out the unexpired term of J. B. Levy.
Mr. Hough was Chairman of the Light Committee and
it was under his direct supervision that the electric
light system of Roanoke was installed. He was also
a member of the Finance and other committees, and
his record in that body was clean and above reproach.
He served his constituents and the people of this city
with that same earnestness and zeal that has characterized
his every act in life.

In 1880 he was married to Rebecca Woody, daughter
of James and Ellen Woody, of Charlestown, West Virginia,
and as a result of that union they have eight
children, as follows: Arthur, Ellen, Maggie, John,
Randolph, Leonard, Hazletine, and Eldridge Hough.

Religiously he is a member of the Calvary Baptist
Church.

Politically he is a Democrat and resides at No. 917
Tazewell Avenue, Southeast.