Pueblo County, Colorado
Calvin W. Goss

Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Calvin W. Goss. No state in the Union can boast of a more heroic band of pioneers than Colorado. In their intelligence, capability and genius they are far above the pioneers of the eastern states and in their daring and heroism are equal to the Missouri and California argonauts. Their privations, hardships and earnest labors have resulted in establishing one of the foremost commonwealths in America. Among these hardy pioneers must be mentioned Mr. Goss, whose home is on the Greenhorn River in Pueblo County.

The ranch owned and occupied by Mr. Goss is part of the old Alexander Hicklin ranch, which was a grant of five thousand two hundred and eighteen acres to Mr. Hicklin, one of the oldest white settlers in southern Colorado. It is situated on the old Denver & Santa Fe stage route, and the mail comes and goes every other day between Crow and Graneros, on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. Under the first administration of President Cleveland the postoffice of Crow was established, and was named in honor of Matt Crow, former postmaster of Pueblo. Our subject was appointed first postmaster and held the office for six years, since which time his son, William, has been the incumbent of the position. The postoffice is located at the residence of Mr. Goss.

The subject of this sketch was born in Ashe County, N. C., in 1828. At the age of fifteen years he moved to Tennessee. He was educated in the common schools of the middle Cumberland Mountain district. In 1850 he went to Putnam County, Mo., where he was engaged in farming and stock-raising for twenty years, and in 1870 came to Pueblo County, Colo., settling on the ranch where he still resides. It was all wild land then, and the improvements now found thereon are the work of his hands. In recent years he has disposed of some of his property, being unable to attend to all of it, but he still owns a large tract, and carries on both farming and stock-raising.

In 1854 Mr. Goss was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Baker, a native of North Carolina, who died leaving three sons: Zachariah, Morris and Sanders. For his second wife he married Miss Sarah Parsons, also a native of North Carolina, and by this union has three children, two sons and one daughter: William, Melvin and Lula, all at home.

During the Civil war Mr. Goss enlisted in the Eleventh Kansas Cavalry, and served for one year in western Missouri, where the regiment was engaged in battle with Price's army. He also took an active part in the Indian troubles at South Pass, Wyo., and during his life in Colorado has had many thrilling adventures with the Indians, several times narrowly escaping death. In early days the Indians would often come to his house by the hundred and would devour everything eatable they could find. In his political views Mr. Goss is a Democrat, and has several times been the choice of his party for the office of county commissioner. For many years he has most creditably and acceptably served as justice of the peace, and has been a member of the school board during his entire residence here. At first the school district was twenty miles square and was called district No. 9, but that territory he has since helped to divide and sub-divide, until it now includes many districts. He has assisted in building many school houses and churches, not alone in the country, but also in the city of Pueblo, and though not a member of any religious denomination, he always gives his support to those enterprises which he believes are calculated to advance the moral, educational or social welfare of the county. Fraternally he has for years been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has accumulated a handsome property, although he began his business career in Tennessee by working for twenty-five cents per day. His life illustrates what can be accomplished through industry, perseverance, good management and a determination to succeed. Being a man of domestic tastes, he finds his chief delight in his home. He is held in high regard by all who know him.

Extracted from "Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado," published by Chapman Publishing Company in Chicago in 1899.



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