| Bio on Mason Ormand Goss Part of this family comes from Portage County. Submitted by Claudette Rogers. M. O. Goss.- Some of the most successful farmer of Van Buren county, Michigan, are those of the younger generation, who are now profiting form the sacrifices made for them by their ancestors who came here during the early settlement of the county and braved the hardships and privations of pioneer life in order to establish homes for those who should come after. One of the old and honored families of Bangor township is that of Goss, a worthy and representative of which is found in the person of M. O. Goss, who was born on the old family homestead in section 6, Bangor township, August 11, 1872. Ormond Goss, the grandfather of M. O. Goss, was born in Pennsylvania, form whence he went to Ohio, and was there married to Roby Haven, a native of Vermont. They came to Michigan in 1853, settling in Bangor township, where O. Goss acquired eight hundred and thirty acres of land, and at the time of his death was one of the prominent and influential citizens of his district. He died April 28, 1873, and his wife, November 6, 1890. Their six children were: Henry, Ruth, Anson, Frederick, Polly and John P., the latter being the father of M. O. and the only survivor of the six children of his parents. For three years O. Goss was also a hotel keeper in Paw Paw, his hostelry being well and favorably known throughout this part of the country. John P. Goss was born in Portage county, Ohio, May 29, 1841, and began farming for himself at the age of eighteen years. On September 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Third Michigan Cavalry, with which he served until February, 12, 1866, and on being mustered out of the service at Kalamazoo, Michigan, he returned to Bangor township, purchased eighty acres of land, and until 1899 was engaged in farming and stock raising, but since that year has lived retired in the village of Bangor. He became one of the prominent and influential farmers and land owners of Bangor township, having accumulated two hundred and thirty acres of land, and for many years served as school director and highway commissioner. On March 6, 1864, he was married to Miss Harriet Wood, daughter of Mason and Adeline (Mason) Wood, who settled in Bangor township as early as 1838, and two children were born to this union: Mason O. and Edna M., the latter of whom married Jay Lafler and resides in Geneva township. Mason O. Goss received his early education training in the public schools and for over two years attended Feris College, Big Rapids, Michigan. On his return to his home he took charge of the old homestead, and since he has been twenty-six years of age he has been operating two hundred and ten acres of land, meeting great success. He does general farming and breeds good cattle, horses, hogs and sheep, and makes a specialty of raising lambs. He is the owner of a threshing outfit, and during threshing seasons operates it on the farms of his neighbors. He comes of a long line of agriculturists, from whom he inherits marked ability in tilling the soil, and to this has been added his knowledge of scientific methods and the benefit of new discoveries and powerful farm machinery. On September 13, 1898, Mr. Goss was married (first) to Miss Emma Provost, who died December, 1900, leaving one child, Boyd, who is now attending school in Bangor. On October 30, 1904, Mr. Goss married Miss Winnifred Doxator, and they have one child: Melba, born October 29, 1908. Mr. Goss is a Democrat in his political views, and is socially connected with the Odd Fellows. In his dealings with his fellow men he has always been fair and above-board, and he is consequently held in high esteem and considered one of the representative men of his township. |