The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
PETER A. HOUGE.
On July 24, 1908, occurred an event which was the occasion of genuine sorrow in the village of Badger as well as in the sur- rounding districts, for on that date Peter A. Houge, who had been an honored and respected citizen of the county for forty years, passed away. Mr. Houge had for many years been engaged in farming and in various business activities in the section and was mayor of Badger when he died. He was, therefore, widely and favorably known and had a wide circle of friends. He was a na- tive of Wisconsin, having been born in this state on June 26, i860, and was a son of John and Carrie (Dahl) Houge, natives of Nor- way. His parents came to America at an early date and located in Wisconsin, where the father farmed for a number of years finally coming to Iowa where he settled in Webster county. In 1868 he took up land in Badger township which he improved and operated until his death which occurred on November 11, 1892, when he was sixty-nine years of age. His wife survived him until 1905. dying in .\ugust of that year.
Mr. Houge has been a resident of Badger township since he was eight years of age. His education was received in the public schools of this section and he remained at home until he had attained his majority. When he was twenty-one years of age he jjegan active life for himself, renting one of his father's farms and operated the same for several years with gratifying success. He purchased this property and carried on general agriculture until 1890. when he moved to the village of Badger and established himself in the merchandise business, conducting a store and farm- ing at the same time for about one year. He later disposed of
his general mercantile business and conducted a hardware store which he operated successfully and along the most progressive and modern lines until iiis death which occurred in Jul}-, 1908.
In January, 1882, Air. Houge was united in marriage to Miss Elinor E. Lindberg, a daugiiter of John and Christine Lindberg, natives of Sweden. Her father came to America at an early date, settling in Illinois where he farmed for a number of years coming later to \\'ebster county where he purchased land in Harden town- ship which he operated and developed until September. 1893. Both parents were making their home with Mrs. Houge when they passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Houge had four children: Irene E., the wife of Frederick Dorheim, of Badger; Arnold E.. who is a hardware merchant in the same village; Clifford K.. who is a successful furniture dealer; and Pearl L.. who passed awav in January, 191 1.
In his political affiliations Mr. Houge was a firm republican and always actively interested in the welfare and progress of his section. He held many township oiilices and was mayor of Badger at the time of his death. He was a member of the Modern Wood- men of America and well known in the affairs of that organiza- tion. He was an active and industrious man, of a good business and political ability, being systematic and efficient in the conduct of his mercantile business, and upright, conscientious and ])ublic spirited in his official life. His prosperity was of the solid kind which is the outgrowth of merit and his business was kejit sub- servient to his duties of citizenship. His death caused widespread regret which was a genuine tribute of sorrow for the close of a worthy life.
REV.
Source: History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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