[from an address upon his induction into the Agricultural Hall
of Fame,
courtesy of the Lloydminster Regional Archives]
Kenneth Whitney Hougham was born in Manhattan, Kansas, on August 5th, 1894 and immigrated to Canada in 1911, joining his brother Robert Hougham at "Yankee Bend", now called the North Bend District. He later took up a homestead in the Hillmond area.
Ken Hougham married Miss Vera May Guy on April 16, 1924. He bought land and moved back to the North Bend district where six children were born: Robert Jr., Edith, Sarah, Winston and Tom.
He operated a successful mixed farming operation, raising purebred Hereford cattle and, most notably, registered Yorkshire swine, which he has shown all over Western Canada, consistently winning many prizes and awards.
Ken Hougham was always involved in the life of the community in which he made his home. At Hillmond, he helped organize the first School board, and spent many years as Trustee and Secretary of the North Bend School District. He led the organizing of the Frenchman Butte High School, where all of his children graduated. In 1926, he was one of a committee formed to get the CNR Branch Line built into Frenchman Butte. His efforts in establishing the Frenchman Butte Rural Telephone Company resulted in his serving as its president for 25 years.
Mr. Hougham holds the outstanding record of having shown livestock at he Lloydminster Exhibition Association every year since 1928. He was also a Director of the Lloydminster Exhibition Association for 19 years. In 1977, this Association presented him with a plaque recognizing 50 years of continual and dedicated service as a exhibitor and a Director.
Mr. Hougham was a member of the Alberta Swine Breeders’ Association for many years, participating in the National Record of Performance Program. He was also a Director of the Saskatchewan Swine Breeders’ Association and the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. Many of his associates and friends have recognized his contributions to the community and the Agricultural Industry. In 1960, the Hougham family won the Lloydminster and District Chamber of Commerce Award for good farming. Mr. Hougham was also active in the 4-H movement, helping to organize the first Beef Club at Frenchman Butte, and he was its leader for three years.
While a Director of the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association, Mr. Hougham was responsible for and brought about two important projects: The Bull Sale Bingo, which proved so successful that it helped finance the building of a new barn. The Bingo continued to prove beneficial for a number of years. His other "brainchild" was the Old Timers’ Log Cabin which cost less than $1,000 to erect, and provides Senior Citizens and tourists with a place to sit and rest and visit during Exhibition Activities.
One thing that shows itself many times through these biographies in the actual deeds of these men, is the fact that though they led busy, sometimes hard lives, they did find time to champion a cause or a dream. One can only imagine what it was like after a hard day’s work to eat, get cleaned up and attend a meeting that took place miles away, and to remain faithful to this process year after year. So must we honour Ken Hougham for many things, not the least of which is dedication to purpose.