John Gossom, a greatly respected farmer of Green township, Grant county, son of William and Martha (Burbridge) Gossom, was born July 4, 1822, in Ross county, Ohio. His early education was quite limited, but he set out with a strong will to accomplish something in this world, came to Green township, Grant county, and among swamps, brush and timber purchased some land and for several years it was very hard for him. He finally succeeded in making headway and purchased more land, amounting at one time to about three hundred acres. All this he has divided among his children, but eighty acres, the old home with fine barns and an elegant brick residence, which he has retained for the benefit and comfort of himself and wife in their old age.

        On August 18, 1847, John Gossom married Mary, daughter of Peter and Mariah (Legg) Shepler, by whom he has had eight children, viz.: Elizabeth A., born July 2, 1848 (Mrs. John Kilgore); Thomas B., born February 8, 1850; Oliver J., born November 18, 1852; John E., born April 22, 1855; Savannah (Mrs. James A. Jones); and three who died in infancy.

        Mrs. Gossom's people were from Pennsylvania and were of German descent on the mother's side and of Scotch descent on the father's side; were early settlers of Washinton county and were of Revolutionary stock.

        Mr. Gossom's great-grandfather was also a soldier of the Revolution. His son John married and had four children: Nancy (Mrs. Warren), two other daughters and William, the father of John, the subject.

        William Gossom married Martha Burbage and had the following children: Julia A. (Mrs. Samuel Griffith); Malinda (Mrs. Samuel Frue); John, the subject of this sketch; Jane, deceased; Margaret (Mrs. Alex. Wiley); Sarah (Mrs. William Jacobs); Nancy (Mrs. George Moore); William; and two infants that died unnamed.