Farm Days Gone By

This picture was taken around 1890 based on age of Doug Gougar's grandfather, Harlow Gougar, who is standing next to the dog. He was born in 1878. This picture shows his great grandfather, Joseph Emerson Gougar, at the left behind the tree. He was born in 1834 and was the 11th child (and a twin) of William Gougar Sr. who settled at the Gougar Crossing (Route 30 and Gougar Road) in 1830. He was one of the first five settlers in the area, which later became Will County. Joseph Emerson bought 160 acres off a dirt path 1 3/4 miles south of the original homestead in 1860. That dirt path later became Gougar Road, where the Gougar Farm is now. Standing to the right and behind Joseph Emerson is daughter Eva Agnes Gougar, a son, Harlow Webster Gougar (Doug's) grandfather), another daughter Harriet May Gougar, and wife, Hattie Gougar (sitting). They had two other daughters who died in infancy. They also had another son, Charlie Gougar, who passed away at a young age. The house pictured still stands today much the same as it was when built in 1864, and is still home to the existing Gougar family who maintains and runs the farm.