The subject of this article, Edwin Adelbert Gould, is commonly known to his friends and associates as "Del," and would scarcely be recognized by any other cognomen. He was born in Michigan in 1853, but was reared in the state of New York. He came to Kansas with his brother, March 15, 1870, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of school land paying four dollars per acre and borrowed the money to make the first payment. Being entirely without capital he railroaded several years instead of improving his farm. He worked in various capacities, principally as brakeman on the train doing construction work and hauling material for the Scandia branch.

Mr. Gould was married on Thanksgiving day, 1885, to Lida F. Rogers, who was reared on the farm where she first saw the light of day in Washington county, Ohio. Her mother died when Mrs. Gould was a child and her father was deceased in 1886, and as fast as the children reached maturity they came westward. Miss Rebecca Rogers, an older sister came to teach school and was married in Kansas. The brothers are Alvin, Joshua, Isaac, John and Fremont, residents, successful ranchmen and land owners of Comanche county, Kansas, where the older brother owns twenty-seven quarter sections of land. The Rogers family are of Scotch origin. The mother was Mary Ann Teeples of English ancestry.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gould four children have been born, viz: Eva, the eldest daughter, a young lady of seventeen years, is taking the second year's course in the Concordia high school; she is a hard student, a bright young woman and has considerable musical talent. Walter is a student of the home school, "Prairie Gem," District No. 34. This locality affords one of the best school buildings in the county, a modern structure which affords a tower with a bell and many improvements not usually found in country districts. The second daughter, Della R., is fourteen years of age, and Merril, the youngest son, aged ten years,

Mr. Gould never received any legacies but thrift and enterprise, and is entirely self made. He has made rapid strides along the road of progress and has builded for himself and family an exceedingly desirable and pleasant home three miles northwest of Jamestown. He has added to his farm until it now consists of a half section of land and he would now refuse an offer of ten thousand dollars for the ground that was raw, uncultivated prairie but a comparatively few years ago. He paid twenty-five dollars per acre for forty acres of the newly acquired land. Their first dwelling consisted of but one room, 14 by 16 feet In dimensions, one story high. In 1899 a commodious farm house of ten rooms was erected and its modern appointments bespeak the refinement of its matron. In 1890 a substantial barn was built. A young orchard is beginning to bring its returns. The principal product of his farm is wheat, along with stock raising, cattle, horses and mules.

Mr. and Mrs. Gould enjoy and are worthy the highest esteem of the entire community, where they have lent their support and influence to every worthy cause that has been promoted for the elevation of mankind or to advance the educational interests of the community. They have an interesting family of children and intend giving them every advantage possible in the way of education and advancement.

Mr. Gould has affiliated with the Populists, but is now seeking a new party. He has held township offices for several years and has been an efficient member of the school board. He is one of the solid, prosperous men of his township and his friends include the whole list of his acquaintances.