Benjamin F. Goss facts for kids

Benjamin Franklin Goss (born April 24, 1823 – died June 6, 1893) was an American farmer, printer, and merchant from Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He was also a politician who served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly. He was a member of the Whig Party in 1855 and the Democratic Party in 1893. In between his political terms, he lived in Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas. He also served as an officer during the American Civil War. Later in his life, he became very well known as an amateur ornithologist, someone who studies birds.

Early Life and Moving to Wisconsin

Benjamin Goss was born on April 24, 1823, in Lancaster, New Hampshire. He went to public school and an academy. He learned how to be a printer. He worked as a printer until 1841. That year, he moved with his family to Wisconsin Territory. He bought 160 acres of land near Pewaukee Lake and became a farmer.

On January 21, 1851, he married Abby B. Bradley in Pewaukee. She was from New York. They had one child, Clara F. Goss. In 1854, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly. He served in 1855 as a member of the Whig Party.

Adventures Outside Wisconsin

After his first term in the Assembly ended in 1855, Benjamin Goss moved to Freeport, Illinois. He joined his brother, N. S. Goss, to run a large grocery store for about a year. Then he moved to Waverly, Iowa. There, he worked in the real estate business for about two years.

Next, he moved to Neosho Falls, Kansas. He and his brother, along with two others, bought a lot of land. They planned the town of Neosho Falls. They built a dam and mills, helping the town grow.

Serving in the Civil War

In October 1861, the American Civil War was happening. Benjamin Goss organized a group of cavalry soldiers. He was chosen as their captain. This group became Company F of the 9th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry.

Captain Goss and his company fought in important battles. These included the Battle of Cane Hill and the Battle of Prairie Grove. They also fought in many smaller fights. For much of their service, they were scouts on the frontier. They were discharged from the army in January 1865. Goss had been their captain for the entire time. He took part in every march and movement. Soon after returning from the army, he sold his interests in Neosho Falls.

Returning to Wisconsin

In 1866, Benjamin Goss moved back to Pewaukee. He became a successful merchant there. He also held several official positions in the Village of Pewaukee.

In 1892, he was elected to the State Assembly again. This time, he ran as a Democrat. He won by just four votes. He was assigned to committees that dealt with roads, bridges, and money matters. Benjamin Goss died suddenly from a heart attack at his home in Pewaukee on June 6, 1893.

A Love for Birds and Nature

From a young age, Benjamin Goss loved nature. He was especially interested in birds. When he was 18, he started writing letters to other nature lovers. This included famous scientists like Louis Agassiz and experts at the Smithsonian Institution. He kept up this correspondence for many years.

Goss was a very keen birdwatcher and amateur ornithologist. His brother, N. S. Goss, also shared this passion. They traveled widely across the United States. Together, they collected birds representing 720 different species.

Their amazing collection was very valuable. It included one of the largest collections of North American bird eggs. Most of this collection was given to the Milwaukee Public Museum. Benjamin Goss was an honorary curator of ornithology and zoology there. When he died, people called him "one of the foremost ornithologists of this country."