My Genealogy Hound

JOHN L. GOLD. This pleasant and accommodating gentleman has held the responsible position of foreman of the freight-repair shops of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad in Sedalia for many years. He was born in Hocking County, Ohio, July 23, 1850, and is the son of John Gold, whose birth occurred on the banks of the Schuylkill River, in Pennsylvania, in 1812. He was a tanner by trade, and many years ago located in Hocking County, Ohio, whence he later removed to Vinton County, that state, and engaged in the nursery business. During the later years of his life he was a resident of Indianapolis, where he lived retired for many years, and where also his death occurred.

The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Hannah Barnhart. She, too, was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and was taken to Ohio by her parents when young. They were among the first to locate in Fairfield County, where Mr. Barnhart plied his trade of a millwright. She became the mother of eleven children, and died in Vinton County, that state.

Our subject attended school in his native county until a lad of twelve years, when the family removed to Vinton County, where his education was completed. Upon attaining his eighteenth year he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter’s trade, and in 1877 became car-builder for the Maryland & Cincinnati Road at Zaleski, Ohio. Four years later he came to Missouri, and, locating at Sedalia, found work in the car-repair shops. His value as an executive was soon recognized by those, over him, and two years later he was made foreman of a force of from twenty to thirty men. He now has charge of the freight-repair department, having held this position for the past twelve years.

Mr. Gold was married in Vinton County, Ohio, in 1871, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of C. B. Pilcher, a native of that portion of the state. To them four children have been born: Van Rensselaer, who is also employed in the car shops in this city; and Linnie M., Burcie and Joseph S. The family occupy a pleasant residence at No. 417 Twenty-seventh Street. Mrs. Gold is a member in excellent standing of the Christian Church, and although our subject is not connected with any religious organization, he gives liberally of his means toward the support of all worthy causes. Socially he is a Modern Woodman, and is a stanch Democrat in politics, taking an active part in public affairs.