Goss, Nathaniel S., naturalist, was born at Lancaster, N. H., June 6, 1826, a son of Nathaniel and Parmelia (Abbott) Goss. While he was still in his boyhood his parents removed to Wisconsin, where he married in 1855 Miss Emma Brown of Pewaukee, who died in a short time, and in the spring of 1857 he came to Kansas, having been one of the first settlers of the city of Neosho Falls. In 1860 he was commissioned major in the Kansas militia, and in 1863 was made lieutenant-colonel of the Sixteenth militia regiment, with which he was engaged in active service in southwestern Kansas. After the war he was appointed register of the United States land office at Humboldt, but resigned to become land attorney for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad, and later held a similar position with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. Mr. Goss is better known, however, for his work as a naturalist. His opportunities to acquire an education in early life were very limited. Unable to study in the schools established by man, he studied nature. Birds had a peculiar attraction for him. As a boy he loved them, and learned many interesting facts concerning their habits, etc. As he grew older he took up the work of gathering and preparing specimens of birds from every quarter of the country. In 1881 this collection—which is one of the finest in existence—was presented to the State of Kansas, with the understanding that it should be known as the "Goss Ornithological collection," and that he should be the custodian of it as long as he lived. The collection is now in the state capitol at Topeka. In 1883 Mr. Goss was elected a life member of the American Ornithological Union in recognition of his work. His later years were spent in writing a history of the "Birds of Kansas," which was published a short time before his death. Mr. Goss died suddenly of heart trouble at Neosho Falls, March 10, 1891. He was buried at Topeka, the funeral services being conducted in the senate chamber.