Ringgold Roots Salutes Goshen IA

STAHL, PRATT, TALLEY, HARTMAN BAUMANN, BAILEY, MILLER MORRISON, BEMENT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/20/2010 at 01:12:09

Ringgold Roots
Ringgold County Genealogical Society
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Vol. 1, Pp. 14. July, 1980

RINGGOLD ROOTS SALUTES GOSHEN

Goshen was established in 1880 and continued active for 10 years, until 1890. It was located 1 3/4ths mile west of Diagonal, or 12 miles from Mt. Ayr. The population around 1887 was about 150. The name "Goshen" was selected by Henry STAHL, who had come from Goshen, Indiana, in 1856. The first postmaster was Michael STAHL and he ran the post office in his home until 1881. In 1880 a branch line of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad was built. First trains were called Cannon Balls, and later the H&S (Humeston & Shenandoah) which continued to operate until December 1945.

They had 2 general stores, and D. D. PRATT and PRATT have the two stores. The first general store was built by J. T. TODD and he was postmaster until 1883, then B. F. TALLEY succeeded him. One hardware store first kept by HARTMAN and Brothers and then HARTMAN and BAILEY. L. L. BAUMANN had the lumber yard; MILLER brothers bought grain, and G. W. MORRISON was proprietor of the hotel. They also had 2 blacksmith shops. Dr. BEMENT was the physician.

A log chuch was built in the Bethel Cemetery south of Goshen, serving the Methodists and other residents until a frame church was built in Goshen in 1881, and moved to Diagonal in 1890. The large brass bell fromthe belfry of the Goshen Church was installed on a tower beside the Diagonal Methodist Church nearly 100 years after it's purchase for the Goshen Church. They even had a newspaper fro a while, entitled The Goshen GAZETTE. Did you know all that? "Land-A-Goshen" I didn't!

Information taken from the Diagonal Centennial 1878-1978 book and Biographical & Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010