Louis GOODSELL

GOODSELL, MOWERS, MOORE, LAKE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/27/2009 at 12:34:40

February 18, 1847 --- April 4, 1908

Homer Free Press, Homer, Nebraska
April 4, 1908

LOUIS GOODSELL DEAD
Expires in the Field While Fighting a Fire
Thought not of Self Lost his life in the Attempt to Save the Property of Others--
Had Great Regard for his Neighbor's Possessions-
Admired by all who Knew Him--Stood for What He Thought was Right.

The people of this entire community were greatly shocked on Saturday afternoon when the San intelligence came that Louis Goodsell had expired while attempting to put out a fire that had accidentally jumped the furrows he had turned before burning a stubble field on the place east of town, that he had rented from Ashford Bros. Roy Rymill, who had sub-rented a portion of an eighty, was working not far from the strip of plowed ground over into a meadow, and the flames were getting under good headway. Both men began to fight the fire. Mr Goodsell using his vest. The over exertion and the excitement brought on by the fact that about $500.00 worth of hay belonging to others was endangered, it being but a short distance away, together with the inhaling of the gases arising from the fire, overcame the strong body of Mr. Goodsell, and he fell prostrate to the ground before the flames. Mr. Rymill quickly ran to him and beckoned to David Waterman, who was in an adjoining field on his farm. Just as the latter gentleman arrived, Mr. Goodsell gasping for his breath, fell back dead into the arms of Mr. Rymill, who was doing all in his power to revive him. Mr. Waterman then called loudly for help, while Mr. Rymill carried the body of his dead friend to a spot where with vigorous work, the flames were kept from him. Cal Rockwell, hearing Mr. Waterman's alarm ran to the exciting scene. Word was sent to Homer, about a mile and a half distant, and the body was tenderly carried to the home of the unfortunate man, while Mr. Waterman continued to fight the flames and saved the hay that Mr. Goodsell was so determined to protect. Mr. Waterman told a Free Press reporter that he had not passed through such an exciting time since his engagement in the battles of the Army of the Potomac.

The deceased was born in the Province of Saxony, Germany, Feb. 11, 1847, making him 61 years, one month and twenty-three days old at the time of his sudden death. He came to America when a boy of seven years. He was married to Miss Philena Mowers, of Oneida County, New York, on December 22, 1869. To this union were born ten children, six boys and four girls. Two boys and one girl died in infancy. The seven children, their mother, and twenty grandchildren survive the father. The names of the children are as follows: Clarence of Omaha, Mrs. S.H. Moore of Dakota City, Roscoe, Louis, Mrs. O. S. Lake, and Augustus, all of Homer, the latter still living at home. Mr. Goodsell was a veteran of the Civil War, Having served his country three years in the Army of the Potomac. He had made his home in this vicinity about eight years. He was a man who won the admiration of all who knew him. When he took a stand on a question where right and wrong were involved, he generally found the right side, and no influence could swerve him from his position. He was earnest Christian in his belief and practice.

His funeral was held from the M.E. Church of this place, the Rev. J.B. Christie preaching the sermon from the text found in Proverbs 14:32. His remarks were of a most touching nature, and he being a near neighbor of the deceased was very much moved in his feelings. The music was furnished by a male quartet, something a little out of the ordinary. Another somewhat unusual occurrence was the fact that the pall-bearers were the four sons and two sons-in-law of the deceased, which made the service more intensely impressive. A very long procession followed the remains to the grave. The children of Mr. Goodsell are all useful and highly respected citizens and a credit to the community in which they live, and each one is doing his or her share to promulgate the principles taught them by their beloved father. The bereaved family have the sympathy of everyone in the neighborhood in this, their time of deep sorrow.

********************************
Dakota County Nebraska newspaper - April 4, 1908

Falls Over Dead
Louis Goodsell of Homer, While Fighting a Prairie Fire, Dies From Over Exertion

Last Saturday afternoon, while endeavoring to stop the spread of a prairie fire which apparently was threatening the buildings of the farm of Ludwig Kipper, occupied by Phil Renz, near Homer, Louis Goodsell, one of the highly respected citizens of Dakota County, fell over dead from over exertion. The fire had been set to burn off some stubble field and meadow land and got beyond control, burning up several stacks of hay belonging to D. Waterman and was fast spreading towards the buildings of the Ludwig Kipper farm, when Mr. Goodsell, who for some time had been working hard to subdue the flames, doubled his efforts and upon hurrying to a new place to combat the flames, despite the warnings of comrades who were afraid he was over exerting himself, fell to the ground, and before anyone could reach his side, had expired. Kind friends tenderly conveyed his remains to his late home in Homer, where his wife, who is in very poor health, in fact, almost an invalid, was almost prostrated by the blow.

Louis Goodsell was born in Province of Saxony, Germany, February 11, 1847, and died at Homer, Nebraska, April 4, 1908, aged 61 years, 1 month, and 23 days. He came with his parents to America when seven years of age and settled in Oneida County, New York. On December 10, 1862, He enlisted in Company M, 1st U.S. Cavalry. One year later was transferred to Company I, 1st U.S. Artillery, with which he served until the close of the war, participating in the various campaigns of the Army of the Potomac from 1862 to 1865, being honorably discharged At Brownsville, Texas, December 10, 1865. At the close of the war he returned to New York where on December 22, 1869, he was married to Miss Philena Mowers. Of this union ten children were born. In 1876 the family moved to Clarion, Iowa, where they resided until October, 1887, when they came to Nebraska, where they have since resided. The deceased lived in the vicinity of Homer since November 1897. He is survived by the widow, two brothers at Old Forge, NY, seven children and twenty grand children. Of the children, Mrs. S. H. Moore lives in this place, Mrs. V.O. Lake, Roscoe, Lewis and Augustus at Homer and Clarence W. in Omaha. All are married and have families except Augustus, aged 17 years, who lives at home. Mr. Goodsell had recently purchased a comfortable little home in Homer which he occupied only a month. Funeral services were held at the M.E. Church in Homer at 2 P.M. April 6th. Rev Cristy of the Assembly Church, preaching from Proverbs 14:32. Three sons and three sons-in-law acted as pall bearers, performing the last earthly service for a kind and loving father. For many years, Mr. Goodsell was an earnest Christian whose voice and influence was always on the side of right.