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| GEO. M. GOTSHALL, of the firm of Cannon & Gotshall, Big Rapids, was born at Canton, Ohio, June 1, 1845. His parents, Daniel and Rebecca (Martin) Gottshall, were of German lineage; the father was born in Westmoreland, Pa., June 12, 1803, and mother, in 185 in Lancaster, Pa. Mr. Gotshall learned the printer's trade when a mere boy, but abandoned the craft temporarily to contribute his part toward his country's defense. His father was instrumental in raising a calvary company and ws put in command of Company K, 2d Ohio Cavalry, in which Mr. Gotshall enlisted, though but 16 years of age. Capt. Gotshall contracted camp diarrhea and was sent home to recuperate, but died June 18, 1862. The mother still survives and resides at Canton. Mr. Gottshall was in action at Chickamauga, Stone River, Kensaw Mountain and at the seige of Atlanta under Sherman; was with Kilpatrick on his raid in Georgia, and at the battles of Jonesboro, Ga., Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. His period of enlistment expired in Sept., 1864, but his command was not mustered out until Dec. 30 of that year. He returned to Canton and again enlisted in Company D, 2d Ohio Cavalry, Capt. H. C. Pike. This regiment was in Custer's Brigade at Five Forks, Va., which intercepted Lee and compelled him to place himself beyond the Appomattox previous to his final surrender. At the close of the war the regiment was sent into Southwestern Missouri and the Indian Territory, and was mustered out in September, 1865, at St. Louis, Mo. Previous to the engagement at Stone River Mr. Gottshall was promoted as Corporal. At the battle of Chickamauga and also at the crossing of Elk river near Deckert Station, he received slight gunshot wounds, but throughout the entire period of his army life he was not seriously injured or ill. Daniel H. Gottshall, a brother, enlisted in Company F, 4th Ohio Vol. Inf., and Martin V. B. Gottshall, another brother in Company B, 43rd Ohio Vol Inf., both of whom served their time of enlistment safely. Mr. Gottshall returned to Canton and resumed the printer's business, himself and brother, M. V. B., starting a weekly paper - The National Democrat. After two year's successful prosecution of this enterprise he sold to his brother and engaged with E. Ball & Co., manufactres of agricultural machinery, operating alternately in the office and shop as contractor. He continued until 1869, when he went to Fort Wayne, Ind., in the capacity of book-keeper with a furniture house. After a year he entered the employ of a lumber company - Beaver, Miller & Co., - where he acted as accountant, general manager, salesman, etc., remaining five years. He came to Big Rapids in 1876 and in company with B. A. Webster established himself as a lumber dealer, the firm adopting the name of Gottshall & Webster. This relation was dissolved at the end of three years, when Mr. Gottshall accepted an engagement with F. Fairman as traveling salesman, selling lumber, etc. He afterward went into the office of Mr. Fairman's manufacturing establishment known as Big Rapids Iron Works and officiated as manager and book-keeper. In Oct. 1882, Mr. Edwin Cannon and himslef bought the Iron Works which they have since continued to operate, constructing all machinery necesary to the manufacture of lumber and shingles. They own the building and site (315 x 195 feet) and have all the best facilities for making light or heavy work, from simple bolts to complicated engines. Their products sell in the lumber districts of Michigan, Wsiconsin, Minnesota and even Texas. Mr. Gottshall was married at Canton, May 23, 1868, to Frances A., daughter of John E. and Maria T. (Rodgers) Whitney, who was born Dec. 9, 1849, at Cazenovia, N. Y. Edith A., their only child, was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., Dec. 7, 1870. |