His father, Michael Gouse, was a native of Germany, and born 24 Feb 1828. he came in his childhood to America with his mother, who was a widow, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he was employed as a labourer. His mother in the meantime was married a second time to Gottlieb Scheibley, a tailor by trade, and now a resident of Hanover, this County.
From Pennsylvania, Mr Scheibley and his family removed to Hannibal, Missouri where they lived one year, then came back to this county and purchased a farm in Derinda Township, where they lived for many years. After his children were grown up he sold the farm and took up his residence in Savanna, Illinois, but finally came back to Derindda Township, and after the death of his wife lived with his step-son Michael for a time. Upon going to Missouri, he located a colony, in which he served as a tailor.
The father of our subject accompanied his mother and stepfather to Hannibal, Missouri, and later to Galena, finally settling with them in Derinda Township, where he employed himself as a farm labourer until his marriage in 1850. His wife, the mother of our subject, was Margaret A Ewing, who was born in Wayne County, Illinois, 25 Feb 1827. They were married in Derinda Township where she spent the remainder of her life, dying 22 March 1876. Of the seven children born to them only two are living. Margaret Jane, the sister of our subject, makes her home with him. After the death of his his first wife, Michael Gouse was married a second time to the widow of George Miller of Derinda Township. She is still living on a farm in Nebraska with one of her sons.
After his marriage Michael Gouse purchased forty acres of land and commenced building up a home for himself and his family. He was prospered in his labours and a year later purchased another forty acres. he thus invested his surplus capital until he had 130 acres, upon which he made good improvements and brought the whole to a productive condition. Later, he engaged quite extensively in the raising of grain and stock. Politically he was a staunch Democrat and in his religious views he was a liberal.
The subject of this sketch received a fair education, although only attending the common school. He was reared to farm pursuits and seemed admirably adapted to these in which he has been quite prosperous. Upon reaching manhood he was married on 20 November 1878 to Miss Sarah Viola, daughter of Timothy L and Sarah (Johnson) O'Keefe of Davis County, Missouri. Of her Union with our subject there are two children - Maggie Louemma and Marcus Wesley, aged respectively nine and seven years.
Mr Gouse, like his father before him, gives his attention to the raising of grain and stock. Politically, he decided Democrat, and has held the local offices. He was one time Collector, at another time Deputy Sheriff, and is at present the Collector of Derinda Township. He is not connected to any religious organisation, although his estimable wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a reliable and efficient business man and the Secretary of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a township association formed for the benefit of the farmers of Derinda Township and Vicinity. Mr Gouse is a man of decided ideas and one whose opinion is generally held in respect by his neighbours.