Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

clerk in the Polk drug store. He con-
tinued with Mr. Polk until November 18,
1861, when, inspired with patriotic fer-
vor, he enlisted in Company H, Twelfth
Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infan-
try, Captain Joseph R. Toy, of Simsbury,
and Colonel Henry C. Demming, of Hart-
ford, commanding company and regiment.
After six months in service he was
ordered to New Orleans, and by order of
General Butler was appointed hospital
steward, his knowledge of drugs and med-
icines being such that he was of great
value to the medical department in which
he served until honorably discharged and
mustered out at the end of three years'
service in 1864. He resumed his position
in the drug store in Collinsville, and about
two years later, in November, 1867, he
with a partner bought the business which
for several years they managed under the
firm name Polk & Hough. That firm
then dissolved and a new firm arose,
Hough & Bidwell, which had but a short
life. Mr. Hough then became sole owner
of the business and ably conducted it
until his death in 1915. He prospered
abundantly, and for many years con-
ducted his store in the Harrington block
which he owned. For more than twenty
years he was postmaster of Collinsville,
was an organizer, secretary and trustee of
the Farmington Valley Agricultural So-
ciety, and was always an admirer of the
light harness horse. He was a man of
sterling worth and pleasing genial manner,
qualities which won and retained him
the friendship of all who knew him, and
who in Collinsville did not?
From 1869 forward, Mr. Hough was
treasurer of the Congregational church
from 1864 he was a member of the church
choir, and from 1870 he was chorister.
His love of music was a passion and it
was one of his pleasures to bring good
musical organizations to his section that
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76
the people might have an opportunity to
hear good music by famous companies.
He frequently brought the Boston Ideal
Opera Company to Hartford, and he
toured the large cities of Connecticut with
that well known organization. Special
trains were run so that the music lovers
of the small village might attend the per-
formance, and in that way he brought
good music to the people. At all local
happenings he was always called upon to
furnish the music. His own voice was a
deep bass and he was always ready to aid
in the musical part of the program in
church, lodge, or society. He was a member
of Village Lodge, Free and Accepted
Columbia Chapter, Royal Arch
Masons ;
Masons ; and
Knights Templar ;
Washington Commandery,
highly regarded and
beloved by his brethren of the order.
Emerson A. Hough married, May 23,
1866, at Collinsville, Sarah A. Bidwell,
daughter of Franklin A. and Lucia Ann
(Dyer) Bidwell, the latter a daughter of
Zenas and Sarah (Chidsey) Dyer, of Can-
ton, Connecticut. Franklin A. Bidwell
was a leading citizen of Collinsville, son
of Thomas (4) and Dencey (Case) Bidwell,
of Canton ; grandson of Thomas (3)
and Lavinia (Humphrey) Bidwell, of
Canton ; great-grandson of Thomas (2)
and Esther (Orton) Bidwell, of Canton
and great-great-grandson of Thomas (1)
Bidwell, the first of the name to settle in
Canton, he born in 1701 in Windsor, son
of John Bidwell. Thomas (1) Bidwell
married Ruhama Pinney. Lavinia Humphrey,
wife of Thomas (3) Bidwell, was
a daughter of Oliver and Sarah (Garret)
Humphrey, her father the first magistrate
of West Simsbury. He was the son of
Jonathan, son of Samuel, son of Michael
Humphrey, a pioneer of Simsbury. Mr.
and Mrs. Emerson A. Hough were the
parents of two sons and a daughter: 1.
Frederick J., of whom further mention
;