CHARLES H. GOULD (DECEASED), WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

From the White Mountain region of New Hampshire to the level prairie of Iowa is a far stretch in distance and involves a wide difference in conditions; and between the mechanical industries of the one and the peaceful pursuit of agriculture in the other, there is also a distinction worthy of note, and impressive in the experience. These differences in topography, latitude, social surroundings and occupation were all in the experience of the late Charles H. Gould, one of the progressive farmers of Cass county, but they were not all the varieties of life in which he took part. For in his career he saw men and methods under many widely separated conditions and in a large number of places. That he profited by his experience and laid its lessons to heart is proven by his achievements in this region, which was altogether new to him, and in a line of activity here with which he had no previous personal connection.

Charles H. Gould was a native of Lebanon, N. H., born on February 15, 1838, and the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Gay) Gould, also natives of the Granite State, where the father followed his trade as a shoemaker throughout his life. He was born in 1811, and was twice married, his second wife being Emeline Davis. He died at Peterboro, N. H. By the first marriage he became the father of one son, the subject of this brief sketch, and by his second of three daughters. The son grew to manhood in his native State and obtained his education in its public schools. There also he learned his trade of shoemaker, under the direction of his father. He remained at home working at the trade until 1868, when he came west to Michigan, where he spent a few years. He then returned east to Pennsylvania, with the intention of remaining in that section of the country, but a little later again sought his native heath. The West had, however, made a lasting impression on his mind, and it kept calling him back to its greater opportunities and broader and more open life; and accordingly, in 1878 he once more turned his footsteps to the valley of the Mississippi, and took up his residence in Jefferson City, Mo., where he remained ten years, part of the time working at his trade as a journeyman and part serving as foreman of the shoe department in the State prison. In 1887 he came to Cass county and bought a farm of 120 acres in Washington township, and on that he resided until his death on October 9, 1905. Although not bred to the business he became an excellent farmer and brought his land to a high state of development and fruitfulness.

Mr. Gould was married, in 1861, to Annett Augusta Grout, a native of Acworth, N. H., and a daughter of John and Hannah (Allen) Grout, both born and reared in that State and belonging to one of the oldest New England families, the mother being a direct descendant of John Allen, and his wife Priscilla, whom Longfellow has immortalized in "The Courtship of Miles Standish." Mr. and Mrs. Gould became the parents of nine children, all of whom are now dead but four: Ashton E., living at home; John P., a resident of Harlan, Iowa; Chester R., also at home; and Helen L., who is teaching school. Mr. Gould enlarged his farm until he owned at the time of his death 391 acres, all of which is still in the possession of the family. He followed general farming and feeding stock on a liberal scale.

Mrs. Gould, who has managed the property since her husband's death, has shown considerable executive ability and business capacity. She is a member of the Congregational Church, and has a large circle of admiring friends in and out of church associations, being well known in all parts of the county.

From "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 342-343.