William A. Hough, one of the leading members of the bar of the hancock circuit court, a practicing attorney at Greenfield since 1888 and for years one of the best-known lawyers in central Indiana, is a native son of Greenfield and has lived there all his life. He was born on June 7, 1865, the son of Hon. William R. and Matilda (McDowell) Hough, the former a native of Indiana, born in Wayne County, and the latter of Edinburgh, Scotland, of whom the former is still living at Greenfield, honored and highly esteemed in that communty; the latter died on April 6, 1900. Further reference to the father is made in a biographical sketch relating to the Hon. William R. Hough, presented elsewhere in this volume.

William A. Hough was reared in his native town and was graduated from the Greenfield high school in 1882, after which he entered DePauw University at Greencastle, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1886, having earned the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1889 received from the university the degree of Master of Arts. During his school days Mr. Hough had been giving close study to the law, under the careful direction of his father, for years one of the leaders of the bar at Greenfield, and upon leaving the university continued his law studies in his father's office and in 1888 was admitted to the bar. Thus equipped for the practice of his profession he was admitted to partnership by his father and was thus associated in practice until the latter's retirement from practice in 1890. Mr. Hough then remained alone in practice until 1895, in which year he formed a partnership with Charles Downing, which continued until Mr. Downing's election to the office of secretary of the Indiana state board of agriculture some time later, after which Mr. Hough again practiced alone and was thus situated until he formed his present professional connection with Samuel J. Offutt, March 1, 1916, under the firm name of Hough & Offutt.

Mr. Hough is a Republican and for years has taken an earnest interest in the political affairs of his home county and the state in general. In 1900 he was elected Presidential elector for his district and has long been an active campaigner, not only throughout Hancock county but throughout the district.

In additon to his extensive law practice, Mr. Hough is largely interested in various business enterprises and is regarded as one of Greenfield's most substantial citizens. He is a stockholder in the Greenfield Banking Company, a stockholder in the Indiana National Bank and the National City Bank, of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Street Railway Company and numerous other Indianapolis corporations, while fo eleven years he served very efficiently as president of the S. Morrison Telephone Company at Greenfield and in other ways has done his part in promoting the industrial and other interest of this section of the state. Mr. Hough is a Scottish Rite mason and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with the consistory at Indianapolis and Murat Temple in that city, and takes a warm interest in masonic affairs. He is also affiliated with the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, in the affairs of which he has continued to take an active interest ever since his college days.

On June 5, 1895, William A. Hough was united in marriage to Ellen Ruth Marsh, daughter of Ephraim and Matilda J. Marsh, of Greenfield, and to this union have been born two children, Helen Louise, born on July 2, 1896, who died on December 30, 1911, and Marcia McDowell, June 28, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Hough take an earnest interest in the various social and cultural activities of their home town and are recognized as among the leaders in all movements having to do with the advancement of the best interests of this community.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Pages 855-857.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI September 12, 2001.

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