Individual Details

Birth

Information provided by Nina M. Goheen of Downs, KS. Aug 1999. Nina is the widow of Sam Goheen and is now 94 years old. Her handwriting is clear and crisp. Has sent many obituaries and had sent her daughter to cemetery to copy tombstones.
John Goheen was born away back in the mountains at Pine Grove, Pennsylvania on January 4, 1851 to David and Eliza Goheen. At the tender age of four years he was befreft of a father. When twelve years of age he was taken into the John Carner Home.
At this time Kansas was a Sahara and many lured by California gold were making the long, adventurous journey across the continent by oxen conveyances. John Goheen joined the grand army of pioneers and hoe-seekers and came to the Solomon Valley along with Isaac Kaup and family in 1871. However, he became dissatisfied, or maybe just returned to the old home to reassure himself. At any rate, he returned with his brother, James, two years later and brought a relinquishment on a Rose Valley quarter section, which he developed into a fine home with good buildings, well stocked with cattle and horses and an orchard of worth. There was a real colony of Pennsylvanian's along Dry Creek, including the Kaups, Lytles, Goheens, Wash and William Bailey, Luther Musser, Peters, Rudys, John Carner, David Sauserman, George Baker and perhaps others.
On April 26, 1877, he was married to Miss Margaret Bower. To this union were born three sons: Charles, Chalmer and Harry. Harry died in infancy. Mrs Goheen departed this life on May 13, 1885.
On November 16,, 1886, he married Miss Carried Verhage, daughter of Sebastian and Johanna Verhage. She was born in Ottawa County, Michigan on December 24, 1860. At the age of 11 years she came to Kansas with hr parents, who settled on Oak Creek, near Dispatch.
John and Carrie shared together the hardships and joys of early pioneer life in the Rose Valley community. To this union were born daughters, Bessie (Mrs John Reddick), Ruth (Mrs Gideon Walter) and one son, Maurice.
While living in the Rose Valley community, Carrie became a charter member of the Rose Valley Presbyterian Church. After moving to a new home southeast of Downs, she transferred her membership to the Congregational Church in Downs.
John Goheen was a successful horticulturist. He maintained a fine orchard of his own, besides selling trees for Stark Brother Nursery. In his later years he spent a great deal of his time fishing from the banks of the Solomon River. Farming was his main occupation.
His earthly career closed on February 4, 1934, at the age of 83 years and one month. Carrie departed from this life on January 24, 1945 at the age of 84 years ad one month.

Birth

David was living with Eliza Carner in the 1850 census, in the 1860 census John was living with her after David's death.
1900 Census, John Goheen Smith County Lincoln township born June 1852 in PA; Cari wife born Dec 1861, Michigan; charles W. born Jun 1878, KS; John C. born Jun 1882, KS; Bessie G born Aug 1888, KS; Elizabeth D. born Nov 1891, KS; Morris B. born Aug 1894 KS.

Info

Petition for Guardianship, Petition of Elizabeth Goheen, John Goheen and James G. Goheen minor children of David Goheen late of Ferguson twp, under the age of 14 years petitions for guardianship over person and estate. By Robert Goheen Uncle and next friend.

Census

John is living with his mom and James Goheen age 4, and Catherine Carner.

Residence

From biography, "At the tender age of four years he was bereft of a father. When twelve years of age he was taken into the John Carner home." The actual date of death of his father was later.

Info

Above the age of 14 years, petitions to be raised by Benjamin Peters.

Info

Made original journey to Kansas along with Isaac Kaup and family. He returned to Pennsylvania and later returned with his brother, James and bought a relinquishment of a Rose Valley quarter section. There was a real colony of Pennsylvanians along Dry Creek, including the Kaups, Lytles, Goheens, Washington and William Bailey, Luther Musser, Peters, Rudys, John Carner, Dave Sauserman, George Baker and perhaps others that have not been identified.

Marriage

Information provided by Max Goheen, P.O. Box 203, Downs, KS, 67437.

Census

John Goheen age 27 farmer, born Pennsylvania, parents Pennsylvania farmer
Margaret A age 21 wife born Iowa, parents Pennsylvania
Charles age 2 son born Kansas

Marriage

Information provided by Nina M. Goheen of Downs, KS. Aug 1999. Nina is the widow of Sam Goheen and is now 94 years old. Her handwriting is clear and crisp. Has sent many obituaries and had sent her daughter to cemetery to copy tombstones.
Tombstone information. first wife died in 1885.
"On November 16, 1886, he married Miss Carrie Verhage, daughter of Sebastian and Johanna Verhage. She was born in Ottawa County, Michigan, on December 24, 1860. At the age of 11 years she came to Kansas with her parents, who settled on Oak Creed, near Dispatch.

Residence

J.G. Goheen is back from Long Island and will remain in this vacinity for awhile.

Census

1900 Census, John Goheen Smith County Lincoln township born June 1852 in PA;
Carri wife born Dec 1861, Michigan;
Charles W. born Jun 1878, KS;
John C. born Jun 1882, KS;
Bessie G born Aug 1888, KS;
Elizabeth D. born Nov 1891, KS;
Morris B. born Aug 1894 KS.

Miscellaneous

George Kaup and J. G. Goheen are contemplating a visit to Pennsylvania this fall.
The family of Mr. James Goheen will hereafter ride in a new buggy.

Occupation

Mr. John Goheen has a big carpenter job on a large new barn for a German three miles northeast of Downs.

Census

John Goheen household age 58, married 23 years, owns farm free and clear. born PA, parents USA; Carrie wife, agea 49 4 children, 3 alive, born Mich, parents Netherlands speak Dutch, Bessie daughter age 21 born KS parents PA, MI, Ruth daughter agea 18, born KS parents PA, MI, Morris son age 15, born KS parents PA, MI.

Census

John Goheen household, age 68, own farm free of mortgage, wife Marrie 59 years born Michigan and parents born in Holland, son Morris (sic) age 25, general farmer.

Info

John Goheen's orchard of pears, plums and apricots is a sight worth seeing with the many blossoms.

Residence

Elm Creek Notes - Mr. and Mrs John Reddick and sons were guests at the John Goheen home Christmas Kay. Mr. and Mrs, Maurice Goheen and daughter were also guests there that day.
Rose Valley - From this time on Mr and Mrs John Goheen are mentioned in the Rose Valley column and not in the Elm Creek as before.

Census-shared

John B. Reddick age 45 married at age 26 born in Kansas, parents born in Iowa; Bessie, wife, age 41 married at age 22, born Kansas, father born Pennsylvania and mother born Michigan; Kennith age 18 born Kansas; Eugene age 17 born Kansas.

Census

John Goheen age 79, own farm and radio, first marriage age 25, born Pennsylvania, parents pennsylvania, farmer; Carrie, wife age 69, first marriage 25, born Michigan, parents Holland.

Info

Have large house on the river, with seven large rooms, hall and pantry, all well furnished; a hospitable home where we're always welcome.

Miscellaneous

A member of the Masons and had Masonic oration at funeral.

Illness

Suffered a paralytic stroke, and condition is very serious.

Death-shared

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
OF
B.F. PETERS, ALSO KNOWN AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PETERS.

IN THE, NAME OF GOD, AMEN

STATE OF KANSAS,
COUNTY OF SMITH, SS.
I, B.F. PETERS ( ALSO KNOWN AS BENJIMAN FRANKLIN PETERS), of the age of Sixty Two years and upwards, of Lincoln Township, in Smith County, Kansas, with Post office address at Downs, Kansas, RFD., being in fair health, in good health and of sound and disposing mind and memory, and being desirous of making an equitable and fair distribution of my worldly goods and effects, DO HEREBY MAKE, PUBLISH AND DECLARE This to be,, MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT in the disposition of all of my property, that I may have or own at the time of my death:

ITEM ONE: I hereby direct that my said executors here in after named shall pay, all my ,just and legal debts, and funeral expenses, within six months after my death; and with the approval of my wife select and erect a suitable monument to my memory not to exceed the sum of FIVE Hundred Dollars: unless one is erected already.,

ITEM TWO : To my beloved wife MINNIE PETERS, I give, devise, will and bequeath all of my property both real, personal and mixed, of every nature and kind whatsoever, where ever situated to be her absolute property without let or hindrance.

ITEM THREE: PROVIDED However, in the event of the death of my beloved wife, Minnie Peters before my death, then and in that event I hereby direct my properly descend as follows after the payment of Item One
herein, and the costs of Administration of said estate: That one?half (z) of my property descend to my heirs and one?half (z) of said property descend to the heirs of my wife Minnie Peters, as follows:


July 21st, 1931
SHEET NUMBER TWO, OF LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF B.F. PETERS.

(ITEM THREE: ...(1), Continued:
Kansas, within six months after the Probation of this my Last Will and testament, otherwise
their undivided interest shall after said date revert to ray Brother and sister W.L. Peters
and Addle Verhage in addition to the other bequest share and share alike; said remaining One?third of one?half to go to my half Brother now living and the children and heirs of said deceased half?Brothers and sisters, as follows:
To My half? Brother JOHN GOHEEN of Downs, Kansas,
To the children and heirs and issue of my half Brothers and Sisters
that shall be living and establish such heirship as provided herein,
of the following:


JOHN PETERS, (DECEASED) OF CAMERON, MISSOURI:
EMANUEL PETERS (DECEASED) OF OAK HALL, PENNA.,
MARY PETERS FROM, OF OAK HILL, PENNA.,
PERCILLA ECHENROAD, OF OAK HILL, PENNA:
ANNA PETERS, OF OAK HILL, PENNA., .
JAMES GOHEEN , (DECEASED) Of DOWNS, KANSAS

Said last seven named to Share and share alike in the remaining
one?third of said .one/half (1/3rd of 1/2) as aforesaid:

ITEM FOUR? The remaining one?half of said estate I hereby five, divise
Will and bequeath to the heirs of my wife, Mrs Minnie Peters follows:
TO JOHANNESS VERHAGE, OF TONGONOXIE, KANSAS:
TO DICK VERHAGE, OF CAWKER CITY, KANSAS:
TO JOHN VERHAGE, OF CAWKER CITY, KANSAS:
TO CARRIE GOHEEN, OF DOWNS, KANSAS, AND
TO MATTIE VERHAGE WOLTERS, OF DOWNS, KANSAS,
and their heirs or children living at the time of my death, the ONE HALF (1/2) ) so, remaining, to be divided Share and share alike amongst said six heirs, and any of said parties dying without issue their said share to revert to the others herein name in this Item.

LASTLY. I hereby NAME, CONSTITUTE AND APPOINT my beloved wife MINNIE PETERS/ Executrix of this My Last Will and Testament, without Bond and that she be not required to make any report to any Court after the payment of Item ONE; and in event of her death prior to my death, then I hereby NAME CONSTITUTE AND APPOINT WILBER L. PETERS, of Downs, Kansas, and John Verhage of Cawker City, Kansas, Co-Executors of this My Last Will and Testament to serve jointly as such Executors, without Bond; and if either of said executors die or are disqualified that B.F. VERHAGE of Downs, serve as such Co-Executor jointly with the remaining one, without Bond.

SHEET NUMBER THREE: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF B.F. PETERS..

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of
these attesting witnesses at the City of Smith ,enter, on this the
Twentyfirst day of July, 1931, contained on three sheets.
Witnesses:
???????????????Testator. P.O. Smith h Center, Kan.
Witnesses:
Dean E. Brown
P.O. Smith Center, Kan.

L. Cuhe, Jr.
P.O. Smith Center, Kansas.

Kenneth Reddick
P.O. Downs, Kansas.

STATE OF Kansas,
COUNTY OF SMITH, SS.
The above and foregoing instrument, contained on Three Sheets, purporting to be the LAST VI AND TESTAMENT OF B. F. PERES, (; ALSO known as BENJIMAN FRANKLIN PETERS), Testator herein , as his LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, was SIGNED, SEALED PUBLISHED AND DECLARED AS SUCH BY said Testator in our presence, and we at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto; and at 'said time aria place the said Testator B.F. PETERS, was in fairly good health, and of sound and disposing mind and memory and under no restraint, and apparently 62 years of age.
Witness our hand this 21st day of July,1931.
Dean E Brown
P.0 Smith Center, Kansas.



L Cuhe, Jr.
P.O. Smith Centre, Kansas.


Kenneth Reddick
P.O. Downs, Kansas.

Death

Information provided by Nina M. Goheen of Downs, KS. Aug 1999. Nina is the widow of Sam Goheen and is now 94 years old. Her handwriting is clear and crisp. Has sent many obituaries and had sent her daughter to cemetery to copy tombstones.
Tombstone information

Burial

Funeral services at Congregational Church.