Dougan, Richard F.

Richard F. Dougan, the well known proprietor of Dougan's Garage, at Butler, Pennsylvania, was born in that city, August 4, 1894, the son of Joseph A. and Molly O. (Schaffer) Dougan.

James A. Dougan was born at Great Belt, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools and when a young man learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for a time. Later he learned the electrical business and was employed by the U. S. Electric Company. Following that employment he was a salesman for the Artificial Limb Company of Pittsburgh, with which firm he remained until his death. He was the inventor of a crutch which was manufactured by the company. He died in 1904 and is buried in North Cemetery, Butler, Pennsylvania. He was a Democrat, a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, and belonged to the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. His wife was born in Oil City, Pennsylvania, and is now living in Butler. To James A. and Molly O. (Schaffer) Dougan three children were born: Antoinette, married John F. Dougherty, a painting contractor, Butler, and they have two children, John, Jr., and Gladys ; Richard F., the subject of this sketch ; and Inez, the widow of Wade Edwards. She is a graduate of Slippery Rock (Pennsylvania) Normal School and is now engaged in teaching in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Richard F. Dougan attended the parochial and public schools of Butler, after which he went to Coalinga, California, and conducted a laundry agency. He returned to Butler and learned the machinist's trade at the Standard Steel Car Company. He was later employed as a mechanic of the Atwell Auto Company, and in 1915 he went to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he operated a car service for the United States government doing border duty. In July, 1916, he returned to Butler, and was employed by A. F. Eisler, servicing cars. He was with the Spang Company in charge of the skin and facing operations on the 155 MM. shells, six inch. He remained with that firm until the close of the war. In 1919 he was with the Liberty Service Auto Company and in 1920 purchased the business which he has since conducted. He has managed his business successfully and has a large and growing patronage. He does all kinds of automobile repair work.

On April 10, 1924, Mr. Dougan was married to Miss Margaret Evelyn Scowden, a daughter of Leon D. and Eva (Miller) Scowden. Mr. Scowden was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in the oil business. He died in 1926 and is buried at Smethport, Pennsylvania. His widow, who was born in Iowa, resides at Farmer's Valley, McKean County, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Dougan have one son, Richard Francis, born March 6, 1926.

Mr. Dougan is a member of Grace Lutheran Church and belongs to the Isaac Walton League. He is one of the capable and farsighted young business men of the county.