Tough, James

TOUGH, MCCONNA, ICE, MILNE, FAWNS, GUESSFORD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 10/23/2009 at 06:30:13

Tough, James

The gentleman whose name introduces this brief review is a native of Ohio, born near Mansfield, that state, on December 12, 1854, and is the son of James and Isabella (McConna) Tough, both natives of the Highlands of Scotland. The family came to America in 1853, and settled in Ohio, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits for two years, at the expiration of which time, in 1855, they came to Iowa, the family consisting of six children, namely: Maggie, John and Charles, none of whom ever married, all living together in Muscatine County, Iowa; Henry is married and lives at Earlham; Belle, wife of Abraham Ice, lives in Muscatine County, Iowa, and is the mother of one child, a son, who answers to the name of Lester. The father departed this life in Muscatine County, Iowa, in 1886, at the age of sixty-three years, and the mother died a year or so later at the age of sixty-two.

On February 8, 1882, James Tough was united in marriage with Ella Milne, at Davenport, Iowa, who was born in Arbroath, Scotland, on August 9, 1851, the daughter of Stewart and Jessie (Fawns) Milne, both natives of Scotland. The father and mother never left their native country, both dying in Scotland, the father at the age of seventy, in the year 1870, and the mother in 1875; at the age of sixty. Mrs. Tough's father was a blacksmith by trade, and was twice married. By his first marriage there is now living but one child, a son, Stewart, who lives in Oregon. By his second marriage he was the father of four children, namely: James and Charles, who both died in Scotland; David, living in Aurora, Illinois; and Ella, wife of the subject of this review. Mrs. Tough was born and lived about forty miles north of Edinburgh, Scotland. She came to the United States in June 1879, with a brother, David, mentioned above, who had come to this country about five years previous to that date, and who had returned to his home intending to remain there, but his health failing him, the doctors advised that he return to America, the climate being too damp for him along the North Sea, and in the year indicated above he returned to this country, bringing his sister with him. They set sail from Glasgow and were twelve days on the water. David Milne was a linen weaver by trade in Scotland, but after coming to this country followed the trade of miller principally. They lived in Davenport, Iowa, where the sister kept house for him. When she came to America it was not her intention to remain here permanently, but she met and married James Tough, a young farmer, and settled down contentedly to remain on this side of the water.

Three years after their marriage, they came to Jasper County, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Buena Vista Township, of a man by the name of McCauley, who had entered the land from the government many years before, and this is the only time this land has ever changed ownership. They have since added eighty acres to it and have built an elegant home on the place, which is located about three miles north of Killduff.

To Mr. and Mrs. Tough have been born eight children, namely: James and David, twins, born October 12, 1887. David died in infancy; James is unmarried and lives at home with his parents; Earl, born June 21, 1887; Roy, born February 2, 1889; Edward, born December 4, 1891; Charles, born October 2, 1895, all living at home with their parents; Cora, born November 21, 1883, wife of Elmer Guessford, lives in Cambridge, Wayne County, Iowa, has one child, a son, Harold by name; Hattie, born June 13, 1885, is still at home with her parents.

Besides the fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in Buena Vista Township, Mr. Tough also owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Dawes County, Nebraska. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World of Kellogg. Politically, he is a Republican, but has never aspired to public office, although he has served for several years as school director. In addition to general farming, he raises stock quite extensively for the market.

Mrs. Tough is a woman of rare sweetness of character, much beloved and respected by all who know her. She is a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church at Kellogg. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 795.