Sacramento County
Biographies
MRS. JENNIE GOULD
MRS. JENNIE GOULD.--Born in San Francisco, Mrs. Jennie Gould is a daughter of Volney W. Still, a native of New York, who during his first year was taken by his parents to the vicinity of Kalamazoo, Mich., where he was reared. He was a cooper, and followed his trade until 1850, when he came around Cape Horn to San Francisco, in which city he became one of the pioneer grocery merchants, and was a member of the Vigilance Committee. In 1858 he married Anna M. Pearson, born at Kennett Square, Pa., who came to California with her uncle, George Pearson, via Panama in the early fifties. In 1870 Mr. Still removed with his family to Placer County, where he farmed; and later he located on a ranch at Auburn, engaging in horticulture. He was also in the building business. He spent his last days with Mrs. Gould, passing away on the ranch near Antelope, aged seventy-nine years; while Mrs. Still died in Sacramento, aged seventy- six years. Mr. Still was a very pleasant and affable man, always jovial and optimistic, looking on the bright side of life. He was strong for temperance, and gave all of his influence towards civic righteousness and higher morals. Mrs. Volney W. Still was descended of good old Quaker stock. Their union proved very happy, and resulted in the birth of these children; Jennie, of this review; Mrs. Lucy Annette Armbruster, of Spokane; William Chester, of Rochester, Wash.; George, of Sacramento; Mrs. Sue Farman, of Roseville; Mrs. Elizabeth Sagehorn, of Sacramento; Frederick, of Spokane; and Mrs. Grace King, of Sacramento.
Jennie Still attended school in San Francisco and at Roseville. She was married in 1877, when John D. Gould became her husband. He was born near Lansing, Mich., coming to California with his parents when he was four years of age. He was a son of Josiah and Catherine Gould, who were pioneer farmers near Antelope, Sacramento County, until they passed on.
John D. Gould's early education was received in the local public schools, after which he supplemented his preparation with a course at a business college in San Francisco. After his marriage, Mr. Gould located on 160 acres of the old home, of which he had become the owner, and added to this until he had 320 acres, where he engaged in farming and horticulture, setting out an orchard of peaches, apricots and almonds, and also a vineyard. Here he was actively engaged until 1907, when he rented the ranch and retired to Sacramento, where he owned a comfortable residence. There he resided until his death, in October, 1913, passing away at the age of sixty-four years, mourned by his family and friends, a man esteemed for his enterprise, uprightness and high ideals. Five children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gould. Raymond and Arthur are partners in farming near Antelope; Ernest was for some years an assistant in the State Purchasing Department, and is now farming near Antelope; Harvey is farming the home ranch; and Ora Grace is the wife of P. E. Anderson, of Sacramento.
Since her lamented husband's death, Mrs. Gould continues to reside in Sacramento, looking after her affairs. Besides her other interests, she is a stockholder in the California Life Insurance Company. Mrs. Gould is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, and contributes generously to its benevolence. She is a charter member of the Daughters of America, having served as financial secretary of the organization for many years. Her political affiliations are with the Republican party.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 763. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.