Frederick Hamilton Gouge (1845-1927) was an American architect practicing in
Utica, New York.
Life and career
Frederick H. Gouge was born May 5, 1845, in
Trenton, New York, to Jacob and Laura (Powers) Gouge. He grew up on the family farm and was educated in the district schools and the
Rome Free Academy. In 1866 he enrolled at
Hamilton College in
Hamilton, New York, graduating in 1870 with a bachelor of arts degree. For two years he worked for a civil engineering firm, working on the Delaware and Bound Brook Railroad.[1] In 1872 he went to Ithaca, where entered the office of
Cornell University architect
William Henry Miller, also a native of Trenton.[2] They formed a partnership in 1873, and practiced together as Miller & Gouge for three years.[1] In 1876 Gouge went to Utica, where he opened his own office as an architect. For the next several decades Gouge operated his practice as a sole practitioner.[3] However, in 1913 at the age of about 68, Gouge formed a partnership with William W. Ames, forming the firm of Gouge & Ames.[4] Ames had been employed by Gouge since 1884. Gouge practiced with Ames until his death, after which Ames continued the practice of Gouge & Ames up until his own death in 1949.[5]
Gouge joined the
American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1882, and was elected to the College of Fellows in 1888.[6] He was also a member of the Western New York State Association of Architects, a chapter of the
Western Association of Architects, which organization was merged into the AIA in 1889. He twice served as president of the Central New York chapter.[5]
In addition to his professional affiliations, Gouge was a member of the Utica Chamber of Commerce and served a term as president.[2] He was also a member of the
Fort Schuyler Club and the
Royal Arcanum.[1]
Personal life
Gouge was married to Abbie Perkins Moore, a great-granddaughter of founding father
Roger Sherman, in 1881. They had three children: Julia Sherman Gouge (1886-1969), Laura Moore Gouge (1883-1945) and George Frederick Gouge (1890-1948).[2] Gouge died March 6, 1927, in Utica and was buried at the Olden Barneveld Cemetery. His son George became a successful advertising executive in New York City.[7]
Legacy
Gouge was architect of at least six buildings that have been listed on the United States
National Register of Historic Places, though one has been demolished.
^Charles Elliott Fitch, "Gouge, Frederick Hamilton," in Encyclopedia of Biography of New York, vol. 7 (Boston, New York and Chicago: American Historical Society Inc., 1924): 225-226.
^"Personal," American Contractor 34, no. 14 (April 5, 1913): 123.
^Annual Report of the Superintendent of Schools, of the City of Utica, for the School Year Ending August 20, 1889 (Utica: L. C. Childs & Son, printers, 1889).
^"Alumniana," Hamilton Literary Monthly 27, no. 4 (December 1892): 149.