George Gould belongs to that type of men, who came to Kansas at a time when it required courage and self-denial to lead the way of civilization, in the then so called Great American Desert. He is a native of the Buckeye State, and was born on a farm in Gallia county, Ohio, March 31, 1848, a son of Andrew and Nancy (Denra) Gould, both natives of Ohio. They were the parents of fourteen children, all of whom lived to maturity, and ten of whom are now living: George, Seth, Frank, Sarah, Maria, Eliza, DeMarris, Ella, Nancy and Carrie. The following are now deceased: Joseph, Daniel, Jeremiah and Susan. The father came to Harper county, Kansas, in 1882, and after preempting a homestead and proving up on the same, returned to Ohio. He died at Point Pleasant, W. Va., August 20, 1913, his wife having preceded him in death about a year.

George Gould was reared on a farm in his native State, and came to Kansas in 1870. At this time there were few railroads in the State, and he walked from Emporia to Eldorado, there being no railroad in the latter town at that time. He first located on government land in Cowley county, where he remained about ten years. He then went to Kingman county and also preempted government land, and the town of Rago is now located on this property. In 1880, he bought land in Liberty township, Harper county, which is his present home. He owns 1,300 acres all under cultivation and well improved. When Mr. Gould came to Kansas, the State with the exception of the eastern portion, was practically a vast unbroken prairie. He experienced all the trials, hardships and dangers of real pioneer life, lived in the saddle, rode the range and hunted buffaloes. He was a man of natural self-reliance, and belongs to that class of fearless pioneers who served as the van guard, in the settlement and development of the west. He handled cattle extensively all his life and has been successful in that branch of industry. He built the first frame house in the town of Oxford, Kans. Up to that time sod houses and dugouts were the only style of habitation there. He has had a sucessful[sic] career and accumulated a competence, but more than that, he has built up a reputation for honesty, square dealing and good citizenship, for which he will long be remembered.