GOUGH, Willard - Putnam

In looking over the list of Putnam County's most representative citizens the name of Willard GOUGH should not be left out owing to the fact that he has always been interested in the general progress of the county and has done what he could toward the development of the same while carrying on the affairs of his farm. He is a native of Franklin Twp, this county where he was born Oct 6, 1857 son of John and Eliza CARPENTER Gough. Philip Gough, his paternal grandfather, was a native of VA and fine old pioneer. The father, John Gough was a farmer and saw mill man, and he was killed when his son Willard was less than 2. The mother was married a second time and Willard was reared by his step father on the home farm, which he began working when a mere lad. He attended the district schools during the winter months and received a very serviceable education. He took charge of the farm upon the death of his stepfather and successfully managed the same until he was 21. Willard Gough was married in September 1878 to Mary ROGERS who was born in 1855, daughter of a highly respected family. Five children were born to this union: Nellie, wife of Cortland C. Gilliam, an attorney at Greencastle, Indiana, is a graduate of the common schools; Nettie, wife of AP Underwood, lives at Fincastle, this county; Grover is single and is living at Roachdale, this county; John B, who graduated from the common schools was a teacher and he married Lulu Pyle; Vernie V is the wife of Otha Fowler. The mother of these children passed to her rest Oct 22, 1900 and Mr. Gough was again married in August 1907 to Mrs. Laura RETTINGER, a native of Monroe Twp, Putnam County having been born Sept 8, 1866, daughter of John W. and Mary EVERSON HANKS. She was educated in the common schools of Montgomery County, Indiana. Her father was a Kentuckian and her mother was a native of Montgomery County, this state where they still live. Mrs. Gough was first married to David P. Rettinger. Mrs. Gough is a member of the Christian Church and both she and Mr. Gough are members of the Eastern Star, the latter also being a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, Roachdale Lodge No. 602. Politically he is a Democrat and he served very acceptably as trustee of Franklin Twp in 1904 and in January 1905; he took office and served until January 1909. During his term of office he did many things that will always be gratefully remembered by his fellow citizens, having somewhat consolidated the township schools and he turned over the township to his successor free from debt. Philip C. Carpenter, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Gough came to this state from VA and settled in Franklin Twp, Putnam Co and the town of Carpentersville now stands on the land he settled. He established a tannery here which was largely patronized and he remained here until his death. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Eliza, Alexander, Ephriam, Rufus, Elizabeth, Sarah and Lucy. Mr. Carpenter was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he was known as an honest and upright man. Stephen Hanks, grandfather of Mrs. Gough was an old settler in Putnam Co. He married Eliza KETCHEN by whom he had 6 children. Mr. Gough has a neat and well kept farm on 80 acres in Sec 16 Franklin Twp which he manages in a manner that yields a comfortable income year to year. He was formerly engaged in the drug business and managed a general store in Carpentersville, and later at Raccoon, this county, continuing in that line for about 6 years, having moved to his present farm in 1889.