(Veteran) DIED

GOSSARD-Jefferson H. Gossard was born in Ohio, Jan. 6, 1840. Died near Vacoma, Neb. May 19, 1889, age 44 yrs. 4 mos. and 13 days.

His parents removed to Ill. when he was quite young. He was converted during the winter of 1860 after an unusual struggle with unbelief and united at once the with M.E. church. He enlisted in Co. E. 7th Ill. Inf. July 25, 1961, and was honorable discharged July 25, 1864, and was in the battles of Donaldson, Shiloh and Corinth. When he and his brother Alvin (died some years ago) and brothers A.M. and N.A. Bovee who are members of the M.E. church at Vacoma, enlisted, bibles were given each of them by their pastor. They were carried and used by the boys. Brother Gossard’s was handed the pastor at the funeral and its effect upon the audience was far more striking than any words that he could utter. Bro. A. M. Bovee who was with him at the time of his conversion during the three years army life, and for the past eight years his class leader, bears strong testimony to his Christian integrity. Bro. N. A. Bovee marched with him in the front file of Co. E., stood by his side in those terrible battles, tells of his courage in times of greatest danger, and his kindly and cheering words to his comrades and that never, in the intimacy of soldier life, did he hear an unchristian or ungentlemanly remark from him. His religion was of the kind to bear the wear and tear of army life.

In 1873 at a revival in Ill., he was wonderfully blessed – “filled with the Spirit.” He had been troubled about the use of tobacco for some time, at this time the Lord gave him victory over the unclean habit, and in gratitude for the deliverance, he dedicated to the cause of missions from that time on annually what his tobacco had cost him, which he estimated at twelve dollars per year. This vow he kept sacredly until his last illness which was so long, (11 months) and so expensive that he could not meet it, to his great regret. He has held an official position in the church for quite a number of years, so that the church has truly lost a pillar.

He leaves a wife and eight children, six of them by his first wife who died some seven years ago.

His funeral was preached by the writer, his pastor, from II Tim. iv: 7.8.

He was laid away by his comrades of the G.A.R. of Amzi Garrison Post, according to their touching ritual, and, though in an extremely busy season, his remains were followed to the grave by one of the largest companies of people I have ever seen at a funeral.

H. C. Dayhoff

Blair Republican 13 June 1889

Resolutions of Respect

HEADQ’RS AMZI GARRISON POST NO. 189.

FLETCHER, NEB., June 5, 1889.

At a regular meeting of this 5th day of June, 1889, the following resolutions were adopted,

WHEREAS, In the providence of an all wise God, our beloved comrade, Jefferson H. Gossard, has been summoned to answer the last roll call, and has crossed the Mystic River to receive the reward of the Just, where there is no war or sorrow.

Resolved, That Amzi Post No. 189, Department of Nebraska G.A.R. bow in humble submission to the Devine will, feeling that our Heavenly Father doeth all things for our good and His glory. That in the death of Comrade Gossard, the Post has lost a faithful comrade, a kind friend and upright citizen, also the family a kind husband and father.

That we extend to the wife and family of our late comrade our sincere sympathy and pray the Great Captain to grant to them His great love to enable them to hear this great affliction.

That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the family of the deceased comrade and that they be made a part of the Post record and that they be published in the County papers.

Com. - John Patrick Com., E. Harber, A. M. Bovee Committee

H’DQ’R’S OF JOHN A. DIX POST NO. 52, DEPT. OF NEB., G.A.R.

At a regular meeting of John A. Dix Post, No. 52, G.A.R., held on Saturday evening, June 8th, 1889, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Post, and of the soldiers and sailors of the late war, are due and are hereby cordially given to the newspapers of this city for the many courtesies and substantial favors extended to this Post, from the date of its organization to the present time.

And that it may be understood that we fully appreciate the same, be it Resolved, further, That a copy of this resolution be handed to the editors of each of said papers.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~