DR. MARION GOSS

            The following was prepared and read by Judge White at the funeral:

Dr. Marion Goss was born in Parke county, Indiana, near Bellmore, Nov. 3, 1846, and died in Rockville, December 13, 1908, at the age of 62 years, 1 month, and 10 days. He was a son of Cyrus and Elizabeth Bullon Goss, who came here from the State of Ohio and were residents of Parke county for many years. His father was one of the earliest as well as one of the most successful school teachers of Union township.           

Dr. Goss received an education in the public schools at Bellmore until the latter part of the Civil war when he enlisted in the 149th regiment Ind. Vol. and remained in the service until the close of the war. It was during this service, while his regiment was in Alabama that he contracted a disease which followed him more or less all his life. At the close of the war he entered Asbury, now DePauw university, but after a year or two was compelled to leave on account of ill health. Afterwards he entered the office of Dr. Wilcox at Greencastle as a student of medicine, when upon the advice of that eminent physician and surgeon, he entered the medical department of the University of Virginia from which he was graduate with honors in 1870. Dr. Goss and a Dr. Noble were the only northern students at this institution at the time. They became fast friends and it is a singular coincident that Dr. Noble and Dr. Goss both suffered a stroke of paralysis within a few days of each other.

            Dr. Goss began the practice of his profession at Bellmore where he was unusually successful and enjoyed a large practice in the eastern part of the county. In 1887 he removed to Rockville where he at once took a front rank in his profession and lived here until his death last Sunday.

            He was married in 1873 to Miss Mary J. Mater, who since died, and on April 10, 1889, he was married to Miss Sarah Blake, daughter of John E. Blake, who survives him as his widow. Two children survive him, Mrs. Ida B. Edmundson, now living in Denver, and an only son, Blake Goss, who was born November 9, 1890.

            Dr. Goss was one of the leading physicians and surgeons of western Indiana. He was frequently called to treat patients and in consultation with other physicians and surgeons in important cases in adjoining counties. But it was in his native county that he was best known and here his practice extended over the entire county. His patients had the utmost confidence in his skill, ability and professional integrity. They and their friends unhesitatingly placed the issues of life and death in his hands. And he did not fail them. Whatever of skill, experience, attention, learning and fine judgment could accomplish he gave without stint and at any cost to his own personal convenience or self sacrifice. His presence in the sick room inspired confidence and a feeling of safety for the life of the stricken member of the family. He was firm without being severe, he was genial without obtrusive familiarity, plain spoken without being brusque or offensive, simple mannered without being uncouth and always maintained the utmost interest in and solicitude for the welfare of his patients. For these and other reasons he was regarded with a certain affection as well as with an abiding confidence and esteem by the families in which he was called as a physician.

            His professional duties often required his services in the hospitals of Indianapolis, noted all over the country for surgical operations of the most delicate and important character. It is well known that he stood high in the regard of the celebrated specialist of that city and elsewhere, whom he was called to assist and with whom he was often invited for consultation. No physician was called oftener to give professional opinion in our courts than Dr. Goss. His wide and varied experience, his thorough investigation, his conscientious judgment made his opinion on medical subjects in our courts exceedingly valuable. He was always listened to by the court and jury with profound attention and great profit.

            In the families of our town and county when sickness or bodily injury demands a skilled and trustworthy physician and surgeon he will be greatly missed, and many a home will turn to younger practitioners of talent, learning and efficiency and form new relations of confidence and trust, but the genial Dr. Goss, whom they had known so long and affectionately, will not be forgotten.

            Dr. Goss as a man of varied attainments. He not only was a fine physician and surgeon but an expert in horticulture as well. It was remarkable what trees and plants and vines and flowers would do for him. He knew in what soil they would best grow and thrive, how and when they were to be trained and nu[r]tured; he knew their names, nature and what would be their fruitage. And he loved to plant and prune and tend and gather in his children of the soil. It was his favorite recreation and the early morning and intervening hours wrested from his professional labors found him at work with enthusiasm in his orchard, on his lawn, or among his vines and flowers.

            Dr. Goss was a good citizen. He was public spirited, and whilst a member of the Board of Trustees of the town, gave his time and attention to his civic duties intelligently and conscientiously.

            He was a useful member of several different societies. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Parke County Medical society, the Masonic fraternity, the Shakespeare club of this place and the Grand Army of the Republic.

            He was an agreeable gentleman. He possessed an unfailing good humor, he was courteous, kind hearted, obliging and was the friend of men in all classes of society.

            He was a christian; he was honest, temperate, patient, kind to God’s poor and believed in the Bible. A few years ago he openly professed his belief in the christian religion and united with the Presbyterian church at this place and died in this faith.

            He was a tender and indulgent father. He was a faithful and affectionate husband. He loved his family and his home with an abiding affection.

            There is hardly any relation in the life of this community in which he will not be sadly missed and his memory will be gladly and tenderly revered by his family and friends for many and many years to come.