Goss, Ephraim P.

The following data is extracted from Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies.

Ephraim P. Goss, a prosperous farmer, fruit-grower, and dairyman of Henniker, was born November 27, 1844, on Pork Hill, in the northern part of this township. He is a son of Luther Goss, whose father, Ephraim Goss, when he was a young man, came here from Lancaster, Mass. Ephraim was one of the first in complying with the call to arms that resounded through the colonies after the fights at Concord and Lexington, and subsequently rendered the services of one good man in the war of independence. Mrs. Robert D. Rice. Afterward he bought the property on Pork Hill known as the old Goss homestead, now owned and occupied by one of his grandsons, where he spent his remaining years, and died August 2, 1838. His wife, Ruth Campbell Goss, a daughter of Amos and Anna Campbell, who survives him, died March 8, 1861. They had eleven children, of whom Luther was the eighth in the order of birth.

Luther Goss, born in Henniker, January 30, 1801, and brought up as a farmer, was occupied in agriculture throughout the rest of his life. After his marriage he bought a farm adjoining the parental homestead on Pork Hill, on which he subsequently resided until his death on September 22, 1865. The ancestral acres descended to Cyrus Goss, a brother of Luther Goss, whose son, Franklin Goss, now owns and occupies the estate. Luther Goss married Sallie Colby, who, after surviving him many years, passed away January 19, 1884, at the venerable age of eighty-one years. She lived on the farm some four years after the death of her husband, when she sold the property, and removed to the village with her daughter, Helen C. She was the mother of seven children, namely: Solon, who died in infancy; Lydia C., the wife of Rufus Putnam, of Contoocook; Helen C., who keeps house for her brother Ephraim; Julia M., who married Charles S. Foster, and died at the age of thirty-five years; David P., who died in infancy; Elizabeth M., who is the wife of Fitz E. Cogswell, of Concord, N.H.; and Ephraim P., the twin brother of Elizabeth, and the subject of this sketch.

Ephraim P. Goss completed his schooling at the Henniker Academy, and at the age of nineteen years began teaching, intending to pursue a professional career. His father's death occurring soon afterward, a radical change in his plans was made, his services being needed at home. He returned to the farm, which he managed until it was sold, four years later. He then worked for a time at the carpenter's trade, making his home in the village with his mother, until he established a home of his own. Since his marriage he has resided on his present farm. This property, which was originally owned by Abel Connor, and which was the lifelong home of Fayette Connor, the uncle of Mrs. Goss, is one of the most noted estates in this vicinity. Although the house has been altered in many respects, the front remains the same as when built by the original owner, nearly a century ago. Mr. Goss carries on general farming, devoting much attention to his dairy, and selling the cream. He raises a good deal of fruit, for which his farm is especially famed, and where was grown the first grafted in Henniker by Abel Connor. On June 19, 1876, Mr. Goss married Miss Sarah E. Connor, who was born in North Henniker, December 2, 1854, daughter of A. Whitney and Harriet (Spofford) Connor, and grand-daughter of Abel Connor. She died August 19, 1891, after a long and painful illness of several months, leaving one child, Julia Mabel, who is now attending the high school. Mr. Goss is a strong Republican in politics. He is active in his party, attending all the county and State conventions, and was Selectman for four years. He has been an influential worker in the temperance cause as a member of the Sons of Temperance. He is likewise a member of the local grange and of the Order of the Golden Cross. For thirty years he has sung in the choir of the Congregational church, with which he united when sixteen years of age.

Source: Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies

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