George Melvin Goben (1845 - 1944)

GOBEN, ASHER, BONNSTETTER

Posted By: Karen Brewer (email)
Date: 9/21/2021 at 07:29:28

The Osceola Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa
March 2, 1944, Page 1

Geo. Goben, 99
Dies At Lucas

Was Honored As Longest Married By
Ripley; Married near Osceola
in 1861

George M. Goben, 99 of Lucas died at his home there Friday. He achieved national prominence a few years ago when Robert L. Ripley pointed out in his "Believe It Or Not" cartoon, that he and Mrs. Goben had been married 81 years, and were the nation's longest married couple.

Mrs. Goben fell on an icy step that same year and fractured her hip. That crippled her and her death came after a long illness.

Mr. Goben, who died after several years of failing health following a stroke, was born near Burlington, Iowa, Feb. 11, 1845. He was a farmer and a teamster at Lucas before retiring many years ago. He helped to build the Rock Island railroad line in Lucas County and saw the first train chug into Albia, Iowa.

He and Mrs. Goben were married in 1861 while he was employed as hired man and she as hired girl on a farm near Osceola.

Surviving are two sons, George William of Lucas and C. T. of Creston; two daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Asher of Lucas and Mrs. Jane Bonnstetter, employed in a shipyard at Portland, Ore.; a number of grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.

Services were held Monday at Lucas.