Lake County Ohio GenWeb

Edward E Gould

This biography is taken from Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio, Embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake; Lewis Publishing Company, 1893.

Transcribed and submitted by Becky Falin, 1996.

Edward E. Gould is one of the prominent business men of Painesville, Ohio, and a member of the firm of Gould & Clark, hardware dealers. He is a native of Geauga county, Ohio, born September 28, 1841, and is a descendant of an old New England family. His father, Harris Gould, was born in Genesee county, New York, as was also his father in turn.

Harris Gould was a farmer by occupation and when a boy came to Geauga county, locating here at a very early day. In 1887 he removed to Painesville, where he lived a retired life until his death in 1889, at which time he had attained the age of ighty-two years. He owned over one thousand acres of land in Geauga county at one time and was abundantly prosperous. Having commenced his career entirely without means, his success was the more remarkable. He was an extensive land dealer, buying, selling and trading farms, and in this way acquired his wealth. His wife, whose maiden name was Attaresta Wright, was born in Geauga county and came from a pioneer family of that region, to which her parents removed from Vermont. Mrs. Gould is still living, though she has passed four-score years.

In a family of six children, all surviving, E.E. Gould is the fourth in order of birth. He was brought up on a farm and received a common school education. With his parents he removed to Painesville, where he attended the high school. When the war broke out he joined a company of young men who were enlisted in Company G, Second Ohio Cavalry, under Colonel Doubleday. He enlisted early in 1861, and was sent out on the frontier in Kansas and the Indian Territory, where the red men were causing trouble. In 1862, he joined the Army of the Cumberland, being assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps. In 1864 with his company, he was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and was present at Appomattox when Lee surrendered. He was at the battles of Winchester and Cedar Creek and saw General Sheridan as he came from Winchester after his famous ride. Mr. Gould participated in the nine-days Battle of the Wilderness, Petersburg and South Side Railroad. During this time he had two horses shot from under him, but never received any personal injury. Although at times he was within the rebel lines, hiding in the mountains, etc., he was never taken prisoner or in the hospital for a day. Going to Washington, he took part in the grand review, after which he was sent to Southwestern Missouri, where he was stationed until October, 1865, then being mustered out at Benton Barracks, near St. Louis.

Returning to Painesville, Mr. Gould embarked in the hardware business, having associated himself with Mr. Henry Holcomb. This partnership existed for one quarter of a century, Mr. Holcomb then being succeeded by R.H. Clark, who is now the junior member of the firm. This hardware concern is an extensive one and commands a large share of the trade in this vicinity. Well assorted lines of general hardware, tools, farming implements, etc., are carried in stock.

In 1873 our subject married Sarah L. Chesney, daughter of B.D. Chesney, an early and honored resident of Painesville, who previously lived in Warren, Ohio. For many years he was Auditor of Lake county and made an efficient officer. He died in 1876, leaving behind him the record of a life well spent. Mr. and Mrs. Gould are the parents of two children: Annie L and Chesney H.

For sixteen years Mr. Gould was a member of City Council with only one intermission, a period of two years, when he refused to be a candidate. He has always taken great pride in local political affairs and is influential in the same. He is active in the support of the Republican party,and for two years discharged the duties of Treasurer of Lake county to the full satisfaction of all.