Russell Miles Hougen (1901-1970) was born in Valley City, North Dakota, the son of Claus Hougen (1859-1911) and Jennie (Anderson) Hougen (1867-1952). Olaus Hougen was born in Winchester, Wisconsin and moved to Alexandria, Minnesota. He then came to Northwood, Dakota Territory, where his brothers Thomas and George were in business. His wife Jennie was born in Salem, Wisconsin, and came to Northwood to visit a sister who was married to one of the Hougen brothers.
The Olaus Hougen family came to Valley City, North Dakota, in 1899 where he bought a building from Mathias Olsen and opened a general store. The Hougens had seven children: Edith (1885-1955)-Mrs. L. W. Larson; George Rudolph (1888-1897); Francis Lewis (1890-1935); Jennie Margaret (1892-1956) - Mrs. Arthur Bonhus. These children were born in Northwood, North Dakota. Ernest Anthony Griffith (18991961); Russell Miles (1901-1970); Blanche Rena (1906-1969) - Mrs. Oscar Rood. The last three children were born in Valley City.
Russell Miles Hougen received his education in Valley City, North Dakota. He graduated from Valley City High School and attended Valley City State College. He worked for the N. P. Railway for four years. In 1922 he was employed as a bookkeeper in the American National Bank and became president of the bank in 1952. He retired from the presidency in 1966 and from the Board of Directors of the same bank in 1969. He married Lila Anne Jeffrey Billmeyer at Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin in 1932. She is the daughter of Anion Francis and Mary Ann (Jeffrey) Billmeyer. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids and Chicago Art Institute. She has her master's degree from Columbia University, New York. In 1927 she came to the art department of the Valley City Normal School. Two children were born to the Russell Hougens. James Russell (1933) is an Area Systems Engineer for Motorola at San Matio, California; Lila Anne Jeffrey (1940) married Donald Gienger in 1967. They have three children: Perry Allen, Lisa Marie and Lora Jean. Russell M. Hougen was active in the community, president of the Red Cross, Community Chest Director, Boy Scouts, President of Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Elks and K.P. In August 31, 1966, the residents of Valley City and the area bankers honored him with a "Russell Hougen Day."
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 107