- FRANKLIN GOULD, a retired farmer now residing in Lima Center,
is numbered among Rock
- County's best citizens. He was born in Jefferson County,
N.Y., on the 13th day of March, 1825, and was there reared to
manhood. His educational advantages were limited to such opportunities
as the common schools afforded. He assisted his father in the
cultivation of the home farm until attaining his majority, when
for his services he began receiving a compensation, remaining
with his father two and a half years. He came to Wisconsin in
September, 1848, and on the 27th of that month he led to the
marriage altar Miss Mary A. FRASIER, who was born in Lower Canada
Oct. 8, 1829, and is a daughter of Jeremiah and Amy (WOOD) FRASIER.
Her parents were natives of New York, whence they removed to
Canada, but in 1833 returned to the Empire State, and became
residents of St. Lawrence County, where they made their home
for twenty years. At the expiration of that time, in 1853, following
the course of emigration which was steadily flowing westward,
they landed in Rock County, Wis., but after one year's residence
removed to Marquette County. While there residing, the angel
of death summoned the loving wife to her final rest, and her
remains were interred in the cemetery at Oxford, and afterward
removed to the Lima Cemetery. In 1872 Mr. FRASIER came to Rock
County on a visit to his daughters, Mrs. Diantha M. BROWN and
Mrs. GOULD, and while at the home of the latter his death occurred,
on the 13th day of November, 1873. they were consistent members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and their family was conscientiously
reared. Unto them were born eleven children, all of whom grew
to maturity, while nine of that number, five sons and four daughters,
are yet living: Oliver E., the eldest, a resident of Canada;
Mrs. Rhoda M. CHILD, Mrs. Diantha BROWN, Mrs. GOULD, Mrs. Elvira
SAXE, Lorenzo, Mrs. Martha VISGAR, Loren, Lewis, Cynthia, and
Byron.
- In the spring of 1860 Mr. GOULD and his family returned to
Rock County, and the following
- spring he acquired his brother's interest in the store of
general merchandise which he carried on for two years. In 1862
he purchased a house and eight acres of land near Lima Center,
where he continued to reside until June, 1864, at which time
he removed to the farm of Asa PRATT, comprising 172 acres of
land. For fifteen years he engaged in its cultivation, until
February, 1879, when he took up his residence in his present
comfortable home in the village of Lima Center. For the past
few years, on account of failing health, Mr. GOULD has been living,
a retired life, having by his efforts of industry, economy, and
good management of former years, accumulated a comfortable competence.
Possessed of good business ability, his ventures in the various
lines which he has pursued have been quite successful, and he
is recognized as one of the leading citizens of the community.
To all public enterprises he has contributed his support, and
lent his influence to their promotion. Both Mr. GOULD and his
wife are members of the United Brethren in Christ, and the active
part which they have taken in the work of that denomination has
been productive of much good. The life of Mr. GOULD is full of
encouragement to young men who have an earnest desire to succeed,
and are possessed of the necessary qualifications. On beginning
life, his capital consisted of a good constitution, temperate
and frugal habits, industry, and unquestioned integrity of character,
together with unbounded pluck and perseverance. From humble beginnings
he rose to the prominent position which he has held in the community
for many years, and no man stands higher in the estimation of
his fellow-citizens. His life has been strictly temperate, not
only as regards the use of intoxicating liquors, but the use
of tobacco as well. Surely his example is worthy of emulation,
and his record such an one as any citizen might be proud to own.
He regards the liquor traffic as the darkest blot upon the page
of America's history since the days of human slavery, and with
all his strength he will fight it to the bitter end.
- To Mr. and Mrs. GOULD three children have been born, two
sons and a daughter: Amos F.,
- born April 8, 1853, wedded Miss Lelia J. SPANGLE, by whom
he has two children, Nora E. and Charles J.; Martin F., the second
son, was born July 8, 1855; Cynthia A., born Oct. 17, 1856, is
the wife of Eldredge L. LOWE, a resident farmer of Lenawee County,
Mich., formerly for nearly ten years a telegraph operator in
Wisconsin, and of their union one child has been born, Nina M.
The children were all born in Jefferson County, N.Y., and no
pains were spared in giving them good educations. The GOULD household
is noted for hospitality, and every one receives a kindly welcome.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 629-630.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|