Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Gougar, Lewis F 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 3, 2007, 4:51 pm

Author: Genealogical/Biographical Publishing Co

LEWIS F. GOUGAR, a prominent farmer of New Lenox Township, was born November 
15, 1852, upon the farm where he still lives. He is a son of John Gougar, who 
was born in Montour County, Pa., March 20, 1810, a son of William and 
Catherine (Abel) Gougar, reference to whom is made in the sketch of William 
Gougar on another page of this volume. The family were pioneers of Ohio, 
where, in 1818, the grandfather in one day, beginning before sunrise and 
finishing about four o'clock in the afternoon, cut and shocked forty acres 
with a hand sickle. The great-great-grandmother was killed by Indians in 
Pennsylvania and her two daughters were taken prisoners. Several years later 
one of the daughters returned home, but the other was never heard of again.

At the time the family moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio John Gougar was eight 
years of age. September 10, 1830, he came to Illinois and settled in what is 
now New Lenox Township, Will County (then Cook County), where he purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of government land at $1.25 an acre. Building a log 
cabin, he began the task of clearing and improving the land. In 1831 his 
parents joined him here. Throughout his entire active life he continued to 
manage the same property. During the Black Hawk war he was a member of the 
home guard, which was subject to call at any time. He is still living on the 
old homestead, but for years has been retired from active labors. In spite of 
his advanced years he takes an intelligent interest in public affairs and 
retains his mental and physical faculties to a large degree. All of his active 
life was passed on the frontier. When he went to Ohio in 1818 that state was 
still undeveloped and comparatively unsettled, and for many years after he 
came to Illinois the surroundings were those of the frontier. In an early day, 
when he was cutting wheat with an old-fashioned hand sickle, by some accident 
he cut the little finger of his left hand, and the scar may still be seen. On 
the site of the farm was at one time an Indian cemetery, on which was to be 
seen a pole bearing a white flag. His son, Lewis F., found many Indian relics 
on the farm, and to these he has added by purchase till now he has a fine 
collection. 

When the treaty was made by which the Indians were removed from this locality, 
before departing they came to the cemetery for the last time and observed in 
due form all of their ceremonies of mourning. In 1883, when a barn was built 
on the farm, several Indian relics were found.

John Gougar is a Democrat in national political issues, but in his township 
affairs he votes for the best man, regardless of party. He is a pioneer of the 
old type and will long be remembered by the descendants of the pioneers as a 
kind-hearted, honest man. To-day he is one of the few surviving members of the 
early pioneers who laid the foundation for the great state of Illinois.

In 1849 John Gougar married Mary Ann Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania and 
died on the homestead January 29, 1896, at the age of eighty-three years. Her 
sister, Mrs. Polly Williams, who resided with her, died at the age of eighty-
eight. Lewis F. Gougar, who was the only child of his parents, has been a 
lifelong resident of this county, and was educated in the common schools here 
and in Englewood high school. When his father, owing to advancing years, 
retired from the active management of the home place, he succeeded to it, and 
has since made a number of important improvements. He is the owner of three 
hundred and forty acres, on which he engages in raising stock and farm 
produce. Politically he is a Democrat in national issues and in local matters 
is independent. For several years he has served as school director and road 
master. In religion he is an Episcopalian. His marriage, May 14, 1891, united 
him with Miss Gertrude Richards, daughter of Daniel and Almira (Cooley) 
Richards, now of Jackson Township, this county. They have two children, Davis 
R. and Mary Almira, the latter named after her two grandmothers.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present

Biographical Publishing Company; Chicago 1900

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