From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 211-212
 
SAMUEL W. DOUGAN.  This thrifty farmer resides on a fine farm of 131 acres in Elby Township, 
Dodge County, Wis., but owes his nativity to Johnsburg, Warren County, N.Y., where he was 
born November 26, 1832.  His father, John DOUGAN, came from the Emerald Isle to the United 
States about 1820, and cleared and opened up a fine farm in Warren County, but at the same 
time was engaged in teaching school, having obtained a fine education in the land of his nativity.  
He was married in New York to Elizabeth McGIBNEY, a native of New York State, but of Scotch 
parentage.  Mr. DOUGAN was engaged in farming in New York for a number of years, but about 
1844 came West to Wisconsin and located in Dodge County on a 160 acre tract of Government 
land.  He built a log house in which he resided for about five years, then erected the first frame 
house in Elby Township.  He became the owner of a large amount of land, which he afterward 
divided up among his sons.  He died in July 1873, at the advanced age of seventy-five years.  His 
wife survived him three years, dying also at the age of seventy-five years.  Samuel W. DOUGAN 
was the fourth in order of birth in a family of three sons and four daughters: Mariah, who died at 
the age of twenty-two years and seven months; Arthur, who died in 1887; John M. is a retired 
farmer in the vicinity of Mason City, Iowa; Samuel W.; Sarah, wife of Charles L. PEASE, in 
Minnesota Lake, Minn.; Jane, who was the previous wife of Charles PEASE, and died at the age 
of twenty-two years, and Hannah Agnes, who became the wife of L. D. SWEET, of Minnesota.  
Samuel W. has resided in Dodge County ever since he was twelve years old, and here and in the 
State of New York he received somewhat meager educational advantages, and is mainly self-
educated. He remained with his father until 1854, then located in Freeborn County, Minn., near 
Albert Lea, where he entered 240 acres of land, on which he made some improvements.  In 1862 
he enlisted from Freeborn County in the Fifth Minnesota Infantry, with which he served until the 
close of the war,  when he received his discharge at Fort Snelling in September 1865.  He was 
first in the engagement at Fort Ridgley, Minn., where the Indians numbered 3,000 and the Union 
soldiers 100.  His command was then sent South, and he was in the engagement at Vicksburg, 
the Red River Expedition, and at Pleasant Hill, Nashville, Spanish Fort and others.  He was 
slightly wounded three times, and today carries honorable scars which he obtained in defense of 
the "stars and stripes."  After receiving his discharge, he returned to Dodge County, and was here 
married in November 1865, to Miss Ettie HAMM, a native of Germany, who was reared and 
educated in Dodge County.  After his marriage, he bought forty acres adjoining the old 
homestead and, after the death of his father, succeeded to the old place, on which he now 
resides . He has erected a fine residence, raised and rebuilt the barn, made numerous other 
improvements, and now has a desirable and valuable place.  Although he was brought up a 
Democrat, he has been identified with the Republican party since he cast his first presidential 
vote for John C. Fremont in 1856.  He is a member of the I.O.O.F., in which he holds the office of 
past grand, and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State.  He and his wife are 
the parents of the following children: Gertrude Elizabeth is the wife of Joseph S. GIBSON, an 
express messenger of St. Paul, Minn.; Eliza Luella is the wife of E. E. WILLIAMS, a farmer of 
Dodge County and vice-president of the Dodge County Fair Association; John assists his father in 
carrying on the farm; Leonora is a young lady at home; Viola M.; Erwin L.; and William H., who 
died at the age of five months.  Mr. and Mrs. DOUGAN have many friends in this section and are 
substantial, law-abiding citizens.
 
Submitted by Carol