Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Gougar, Joseph E 1834 - 
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Author: Portrait & Biographical Album, 1890

JOSEPH E. GOUGAR. 

This is one of the most worthy representatives of the well-known Gougar 
family, who have since the pioneer days been closely identified with the 
interests of New Lenox Township. The father of him of whom we write was the 
late William Gougar, who with others of the family is written of on other 
pages of this volume. They have uniformly followed agricultural pursuits, and 
have obtained the reputation of being the most thorough and skillful 
agriculturists, as well as being numbered among the leading business men of 
Will County. The subject of this notice was the youngest child of his parents, 
and was born at the old homestead in New Lenox Township, March 21, 1834. He 
spent his boyhood and youth at the farm, becoming familiar with the various 
employments of rural life, and pursuing his early studies in the district 
school. Later he was a student one year at Beloit (Wis.) College, and  also 
pursued his studies for the same length of time in the State University at 
Madison. His education was completed in T. J. Sloan's Commercial College at 
Chicago, from which he was duly graduated. This last-named institution was 
instituted and conducted by Col. T. J. Sloan, who during the Civil War 
commanded the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry. For eight 
months after leaving college Mr. Gougar was employed as book-keeper for the 
firm of Reynolds & Willis in Chicago. With that exception he has spent the 
most of his life in his native township. During the Civil War he was an active 
Union man, and raised two companies of troops, these being assigned to the One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He also visited the South, and 
relieved the wants of many of his old friends whom he found in need. For three 
years Mr. Gougar bought grain at the village of New Lenox, and operated the 
warehouse at that point. For nearly one year he taught school in the township. 
Afterward he turned his attention to farming, in which he has since been 
engaged. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of choice land, upon 
which he has made good improvements, including a fine set of buildings, 
besides planting fruit and shade trees, building substantial fences and 
gathering together all the necessary machinery for the successful prosecution 
of agriculture. There is an air of thrift and prosperity about the place, 
which invariably attracts the eye of the passing traveler, and is indicative 
of the progressive spirit and industry of the proprietor. Mr. Gougar remained 
a bachelor until thirty years of age, and on the 24th of November, 1864, was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Hattie Perkins, the ceremony taking place at the 
bride's home in Minooka, Grundy County, this State. Mrs. Gougar is the only 
daughter of her parents, William and Elizabeth (VanDalson) Perkins, and was 
born in Grundy County, December 28, 1841. She was carefulty trained and 
educated, and for some time prior to her marriage followed the profession of a 
teacher. Her father, the late William Perkins, was one of the pioneer settlers 
of Grundy County, and departed this life at his home June 17, 1887. He was a 
man of more than ordinary intelligence, liberal and progressive in his ideas, 
and when his children were of suitable years removed from his farm to Joliet 
for the purpose of giving them the education he desired them to have. This 
accomplished, he returned to the old homestead. To Mr. and Mrs. Perkins was 
born a family of three children, two sons and one daughter. The eldest son, 
Van Dalson Perkins, was a non commissioned officer, serving in the late Civil 
War, and met his death on the battlefield of Chickamauga. The other son, 
Charles E., is farming in Kendall County, this State. Mr. and Mrs. Gougar are 
the parents of six children, two of whom—Ella and Florence—died at the ages 
respectively of three years and sixteen months. The survivors are: Charles, 
Hattie M., Harlow W. and Eva A. Mr. Gougar since early manhood has taken an 
active part in local politics, and is a stanch supporter of the Democratic 
party. For the past eighteen years he has been connected with the School Board 
of his district, has held the office of Township Assessor four years, and 
Collector one year. Both he and his estimable wife are prominently connected 
with the Episcopal Church, attending services at New Lenox. They have one of 
the most pleasant homes in the county, and occupy a  high position in the 
social circles of their community.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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