I'm not a Fouch descendant, but have a Fouch brother-in-law and have done some research on this line.
John Ervin Fouch of Ida Grove IA, father of Irven, Earl, Mearl, Stanley and Albert Fouch, was the son of Peter S. Fouch and Susannah (Long) Fouch of MD, IL and Marshalltown, Iowa. John was married in Hardin Co IA in 1877 to Mary Etta Asher (ca1861-1898). After her death he married Ola Wells at Decatur IL.
See the Fouch Family Genealogy Forum and the Long Family Genealogy Forum.
Here's a newspaper article about Mearl's brother Irven.
"Daily Review", Decatur IL, 19 Oct [1906?]. (1903 was the year cited in
the typewritten copy sent to me, but dates in the article indicate otherwise.)
WEDDING TOOK PLACE THURSDAY AFTER FIVE YEARS
Irven Fouch and Miss Vienna Youell were married Thursday at the bride's home
in Monroe City MO. The wedding was the culmination of one of the prettiest
little romances that have ever happened in Decatur. It was strictly a
railroad romance, for it was while he was selling papers at the Wabash
Station in 1901 that Irven Fouch met the little girl who was to be his
future bride. On both sides it was a case of love at first sight.
Five years ago Fouch was the right hand assistant of Lee Hull, who has
charge of the Union News stand in Wabash Station. He was 14 years as the
calendar goes, but it is generally conceded by his many Wabash friends that
he was equal of the typical youth of 20. Fouch seemed to have no thought
but to work hard and save his money.
One morning he was selling his papers as the train from St. Louis pulled in.
A woman and little girl of 13 alighted and the former asked him for a paper.
Fouch heard her not; he was looking at the daughter. The woman repeated her
request and mechanically Fouch handed her a paper and took the money. His
eyes, however, did not leave the girl's face, and hers, fascinated by the
spell, looked into his. Conversation was struck up and the two agreed to
correspond, the mother acquiescing with an indulgent smile.
Then Irven Fouch decided that the news business, while a pretty good thing,
was not so good as an independent business. He therefore started up a
little bicycle repair shop on East Cerro Gordo Street. He applied himself
and the business grew. Now hardly 19 years of age, he has a good business,
a charming wife, and many good friends who will delight at his good fortune.
Mrs. Fouch is barely 18 years old. The couple will make Decatur their home.
There is good timber in the Fouch family. Irven's younger brother, Earl,
proved a worthy successor to him at the Wabash Newsstand. Earl has decided
on a railroad career and is now calling engine crews. The men and officials
universally like him.
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Ida County Pioneer Record, Ida Grove, Iowa, 21 Oct 1886.
Mrs. G. W. Fouch started yesterday morning for Conrad, Grundy Co IA, where
Mr. Fouch has traded for his interest in Mr. Wertz's brickyard. The firm of
Wertz and Fouch owned two brickyards, one at Conrad and one in Ida Grove.
Mr. Wertz will take the Ida Grove brickyard and Mr. Fouch the one in Conrad.
As soon as he gets business straightened out Mr. Fouch will go to Conrad to
make his permanent home.
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George Wesley "Wes" Fouch was the older brother of John E. Fouch. Mr. "Wertz" was probably Aaron Wert, who married their sister, Mary Ellen Fouch.