Goshen, Isaac J. bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 393-394; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Isaac J. Goshen. The following is a brief sketch of the career of Mr. Goshen, whose present substantial position has been reached entirely through his own perseverance, and whose life shows what can be accomplished by a person with courage and enlightened views. During his childhood he experienced many disadvantages, and for years had to struggle against a seemingly adverse fate. Notwithstanding discouragements he pushed ahead, and the result proves the wisdom of his course. Coming of German-French lineage, he inherits the perseverance of the former with the versatile quickness of the latter.
The father of our subject, Isaac Goshen, was of French descent, and a native of Chester County, Pa. The mother, Margaret (Stoffer) Goshen, was of German parentage, and was born in Lancaster County, Pa. They became the parents of twelve children, of whom the following lived to maturity: John, Levi, Henry, Ann C., George, Isaac J., Christian, Samuel, Lydia and Martin. The father died in the Keystone State in May, 1851, at the age of fifty-four years; the mother survived until 1882, having attained the great age of nearly ninety years.
Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, and first saw the light of day in the village of New Holland, on September 17, 1828. When six years old he was taken to live with a family named Hartman, in his native county. There he was well treated and allowed to attend school during the winter season. At the age of sixteen he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter from his father, who understood the business. But possessing an ambitious nature, and anxious to see the famous West beyond the mountains of his native State, he left Pennsylvania in company with a family with whom he had the good fortune to be acquainted. The trip was made in 1849 by canal to Pittsburg, thence by steamer down the Ohio river, up the broad Mississippi and the tranquil Illinois to Copperas Creek, where they landed in May, 1849.
From that place our subject proceeded to Canton, thence to Farmington, where he soon found occupation; and where for three years after his arrival he worked for others. In 1853, having determined to start out for himself, he commenced business as a carpenter, and being a first-class workman and an industrious man, he has succeeded admirably in his chosen profession. Many of the handsome houses of the city and country were designed and erected by him; and he sustains an enviable reputation both in social and business circles. In his political belief he uses his influence in behalf of, and casts his ballot with the Republican party. During the late war he was a strong Lincoln Abolitionist.
On September 21, 1858, the ceremony was performed which united Mr. Goshen and Miss Eleanor E. Budd, of Turin, N. Y. Their three children are named respectively, Emma M., Lillian W., (Mrs. Frank Steenberg), of Farmington, and Francis I., deceased. The family residence on Fulton Street, is especially attractive, and is built after the most approved style of architecture, and elegantly furnished. Mr. and Mrs. Goshen belong to the Congregational Church at Farmington, toward the support of which they are liberal and constant contributors. Unlimited praise is rightfully bestowed upon him for the noble manner in which he has battled with the trials and privations that the poor are compelled to endure. As one of the self-made citizens of Fulton County, we are pleased to present a portrait of Mr. Goshen on another page.