Gougar, Helen (1843–1907)

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Gougar, Helen (1843–1907)

American suffragist and temperance reformer. Born Helen Mar Jackson, July 18, 1843, in Litchfield, Hillsdale Co., Michigan; died June 6, 1907, in Lafayette, Indiana; dau. of William Jackson and Clarissa (Dresser) Jackson; m. John D. Gougar (lawyer), Dec 10, 1863.

Known for eloquent speaking style, sarcasm, and wit, lobbied Indiana state legislature to pass amendments on woman suffrage and prohibition (1881); embarked on national lecture tour for suffrage and testified before committee of US Senate; served as president of Indiana state suffrage association; attempted to vote in 1894 election and, when denied, sued election board; unsuccessfully argued her own case against board, fter gaining admission to Indiana state bar (1895); after leaving Republican Party, joined National Prohibition Party (1888); became leader member of "broad gauge" faction (1896) which formed Nationalist Party; addressed national conventions of the Populist and National Silver parties and campaigned for presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan; published Forty Thousand Miles of World Wandering (1905), based on 10-month trip around world.

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