My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES GOUGAR. The subject of the following sketch can certainly look back upon a busy life, and feel that his labors have not been in vain. When success crowns any victor in a struggle, reward is his due, and Mr. Gougar receives his reward in the peace and plenty which surround his declining years, and the rest he can now take after the hard fight against disadvantageous circumstances and poverty. He was born January 28, 1815, in the town of Varick, Seneca County, but is now living in the town of Fayette.

The parents of our subject were George and Catherine (Kime) Gougar, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, and where they continued to reside for a few years. The father was a blacksmith by trade, following this business in the towns of Varick and Fayette, in which places he resided. Some time after his removal to the latter place, he purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land, which was partly cleared and improved.

George and Catherine Gougar became the parents of a large family of children, thirteen in number, nearly all of whom grew to mature years. Of this family one son makes his home in Ohio, and two in the state of Illinois. Charles, of this history, who was the fourth of the family, lived at home until attaining his eighteenth year, when he apprenticed himself to learn the carpenter’s trade. For his first year’s work he received $20, the second $30, and the third $50. After becoming thoroughly competent, he was employed by his instructor for a twelvemonth, and then worked for other parties for the following two years. At the end of that time he began contracting, and so successful was he in this line of business, that he continued thus employed until forty years of age.

In March, 1841, when twenty-six years of age, Mr. Gougar was married to Miss Elizabeth Eshenour, then a resident of the town of Fayette, but who was born in Pennsylvania. To them was granted a family of seven children, one of whom died in infancy. Another child died when twenty-six years old, and the third when in her fiftieth year. Charles is a farmer near Waterloo; William resides on the old homestead; Lewis is married, and also makes his home with his father; and Anna became the wife of William Pratz, and lives in the town of Fayette.

Mr. Gougar saved a snug little sum of money by working at his trade, which he invested in sixty-nine acres of land. He was prosperous in everything which he undertook in the way of cultivating the soil, and is now the owner of a large tract, comprising two hundred broad and well cultivated acres. It is adorned with a comfortable dwelling, and the surroundings are pleasant.

In politics Mr. Gougar was a Whig in early years, and cast his first Presidential ballot for William Henry Harrison in 1840. On the organization of the Republican party he allied himself with its supporters and has been a stanch advocate of the same ever since. He has never been an aspirant for office, being satisfied to devote his attention to his private interests and let those hold office who desire to do so.