The Gossman Family of Winneshiek County, Iowa

JACOB E. GOSSMAN.

Jacob E. Gossman, who since 1889 has owned and operated the Pine Tree Stock Farm on section 16, Burr Oak township, is a native son of that part of Winneshiek county, born October 7, 1860. His parents, Anthony and Elizabeth ( Snyder) Gossman, were born in Ohio, the former in Zanesville and the latter in Buckeye. The material great-grandfather of the subject of this review, Nicholas Snyder, was born in Germany and after coming to America served in the Revolutionary war, enlisting at the age of fourteen as a drummer boy and remaining in the army for seven years. On the paternal side also Mr. Gossman is a descendant of Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Andrew Gossman, having come from his native Germany to America in colonial times. He served in the Continental army, having previously received an excellent military training in the fatherland, and he afterward followed the profession of an architect in Muskingum county, Ohio, to which he went as a pioneer. He had nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom the father of the subject of this review and his brother Joseph are the only ones surviving. Anthony Gossman was born in Zanesville, Ohio, February 17, 1829, and his marriage occurred in that state about 1856. He and his wife resided in Burr Oak township, this county, until he retired from active life in 1895, when they removed to Canton, Minnesota They are still residents of that state, making their home at New Richland. He is well known in Winneshiek county and throughout this section of Iowa, as he was one of the first men to secure land from the government in pioneer times. He and his wife became the parents of eight children: Jacob E., of this review; Alary E., who married John Ryan, of Canton, Minnesota; Louis E., a graduate of the law department of the Michigan State University and now municipal judge at Crookston, Minnesota; Leo A., who is a graduate of St. Joseph's College of Dubuque and who spent six years in Rome, Italy, being now a priest in New Richland, Minnesota; Annie, the wife of Frank McKabe, of this township; Amy, who married William McKabe, of Prosper, Minnesota; John A., a resident of Burr Oak township; and William W., who is residing on the home farm.

Jacob E. Gossman was reared at home amid the almost primitive conditions which existed in Burr Oak township during his childhood. He attended district school and was later a student in the Breckenridge Institute at Decorah, after which he attended St. Joseph's College in Dubuque. After laying aside his books he turned his attention to teaching, spending eight years at this occupation in Winneshiek county and in Fillmore county, Minnesota. He married in 1889 and in that year engaged in farming, buying the property in Burr Oak township upon which he has since resided. The tract comprises two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land lying on sections 16 and 17 and is known as the Pine Tree Stock Farm. Mr. Gossman concentrates his attention largely upon his stock-raising interests, breeding and raising high-grade stock of all kinds. In the course of years he has made substantial improvements upon his property which is now a completely equipped and valuable farm, evidencing in its excellent condition his practical methods and constant labor.

In 1889 Mr. Gossman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sutton, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in March 1864, and who resided there until her marriage. She is a daughter of Joseph and Anastasia (Matingly) Sutton, both of whom passed away in Ohio. Mrs. Gossman died February 4, 1912, leaving four children: Anastasia and Elizabeth, graduates of Winona Seminary; Coletta, who is attending the same institution; and Eeo, a graduate of St. Mary's College, at St. Alary 's, Kansas. Mrs. Gossman was of English ancestry, all of the members of her family having come to America with Lord Baltimore. Her brother, Dr. H. G. Sutton, is now state health officer of Ohio and has also charge of a large hospital.

Mr. Gossman is a member of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally is connected with the Yeomen. A resident of Winneshiek county since his birth, he is well known here, and he and his family stand high in the esteem of the entire community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN A. GOSSMAN.

A tract of one hundred and forty acres, located on sections 7 and 17, Burr Oak township, pays tribute to the labor of John A. Gossman, in the splendid harvests which he annually gathers therefrom. He is a native son of the township, his birth having occurred April 12, 1874. He is the second youngest in a family of eight children born unto Anthony and Elizabeth (Snyder) Gossman, a complete record of whom is given in connection with the sketch of Jacob E. Gossman on another page of this work.

John A. Gossman was reared on his father's farm and by him was trained in the work of the fields, while he acquired a practical education in the district schools of Burr Oak township. He those as his life work agricultural pursuits and now has in his possession a fertile tract of one hundred and forty acres, situated on sections 7 and 17, Burr Oak township. On his place are found a comfortable country home and substantial barns and outbuildings and Mr. Gossman takes a just pride in keeping his place in a neat and attractive appearance. He is engaged in raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and in addition engaged to some extent in dairy farming. He has always led a busy life and his labors are bringing to him rich returns.

Mr. Gossman those as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Minnie McCabe, who was born in Bluffton township. Winneshiek county, December 13, 1877, a daughter of Terrance and Mary (Ryan) McCabe, who still make their home in Bluffton township. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gossman has been blessed with seven children, as follows: Clement; Murland, who died at the age of fifteen months; Leland; Francis; Xorbert. who also died in infancy; Claudius; and Mildred.

Mr. Gossman is a democrat in his political views and affiliations and being a public-spirited man has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill various offices of trust. He has served as road supervisor and has been president of the school board for the past fifteen years. He is a communicant of the St. Agnes Catholic church. Alert and enterprising, he avails himself of every opportunity that presents itself for advancement along agricultural lines, using the latest improved machinery in his work and making a close study of conditions of the soil. He is honest in his dealings with his fellowmen and is everywhere known as an honorable and upright citizen who fully merits the esteem and respect which is accorded him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM WALTER GOSSMAN.

William Walter Gossman is the owner of one hundred and forty acres of finely improved land on sections 7 and 8, Burr Oak township. He was born on the farm which is still his home, July 30, 1876. He is the youngest in a family of eight children, whose parents are Anthony and Elizabeth (Snyder) Gossman, and who are mentioned more at length in connection with the sketch of Jacob E. Gossman on another page of this work.

William Walter Gossman was early trained to habits of industry and economy on the home farm, and his educational training was received in the district schools near his home. He those as his life work the occupation to which he was reared and is today the owner of the homestead place, consisting of one hundred and forty acres, located on sections 7 and 8, Burr Oak township. This place has been improved by Mr. Gossman and his father and on it are found substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, while the fields are fertile and yield abundant harvests each year owing to the care and labor he has bestowed upon them. He is here engaged in general farming and stock-raising and both branches of his business are bringing him a good annual income.

Mr. Gossman was married March 28, 191 2, to Miss Rosa Emma Gresbrink, who was born in Faribault, Minnesota, January 21, 1890, a daughter of Alphonse and Gertrude (Simmons) Gresbrink. The father is now deceased and his widow married a second time, her union being with A. A. Truman. They now reside in Canton, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Gossman have a daughter, Irene Agnes, born May 6. 1913.

Mr. Gossman gives his political support to the democratic party, and he is a communicant of the Catholic church. He and his estimable wife have a wide circle of friends and the hospitality of their home is enjoyed by all.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.