GOMAN, John
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 437-438

John GOMAN, one of the most conscientious and reliable citizens of Dellona 
Township, Sauk County, WI, was born near Montreal, Canada, 15 Feb 1840, a son 
of Abraham and Sophia (MARTIN) GOMAN, natives of the same locality and of 
French descent. In 1847 the family came to WI after having first spent three 
years in NY state, and in 1859 took up their residence in Sauk County. The 
father, who was a devout member of the [p 438] Catholic church, died in 
Viroqua [Vernon County], WI, in 1872, aged 58 years, and the mother, 
surviving him many years, died in Barron County, WI, in 1896, at the age of 
79. To them were born 13 children, of whom eleven reached years of maturity. 
Besides our subject, one brother, Nelson, lives in the village of Delton, 
Sauk County, and another, Thomas, makes his home in Juneau County, WI.

John GOMAN was only a small boy when he came with his parents to this state 
and for a dozen years or more he lived in Racine County, where his father 
operated a rented farm. Since 1859 he has made his home in Sauk County and 
has been actively identified with its agricultural interests. During the 
Civil war he enlisted, 16 Aug 1862, in Company F, 23rd WI Volunteer Infantry, 
which was part of the department of the Gulf under the command of Generals 
Smith and McClernand. He participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, 
Arkansas Post, Greenville, Cypress Bend, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black 
River Bridge, the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, the engagements at Carrion 
Crow Bayou, Sabine Cross Roads, Caine River and Jackson, LA, and the sieges 
of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, AL. After the return of peace the regiment 
was stationed at Mobile until honorably discharged 04 Jul 1865. Mr. GOMAN 
had many narrow escapes from death and capture, especially at Carrion Crow 
Bayou, where most of the brigade were taken prisoners. He did not hear the 
order to retreat and was deserted by most of his comrades before aware of it. 


For several years after the war he lived in Reedsburg, but in the fall of 
1882 purchased his present farm of 80 acres on section 24, Dellona Township, 
on which he has since resided. When he located thereon it was all wild land, 
but he has since cleared and placed under cultivation half of the amount, has 
made many other improvements, and in connection with general farming gives 
some attention to fruit culture.

In 1867 Mr. GOMAN married Miss Lois Charlotte JONES, who was born in NY and 
died in Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI], 24 Nov 1880, at the age of 43 years, 
leaving four children: (1) Adelbert Grant, who lives upon the home farm; 
(2) Lilly, wife of Albert IHDE, of Dellona Township; (3) James Sherman. of 
Rockford [Winnebago County], IL; and (4) Rachel Sophia, wife of Fred MASH, 
of Delton [Sauk County], WI. Mr. GOMAN was again married 22 Jun 1883, his 
second union being with Miss Elizabeth ELLIS, a native of Watertown [Dodge or 
Jefferson County?], WI. Her parents are Joseph and Wilhelmina (HENNEMAN) 
ELLIS, natives of England and Germany, respectively. Her father owned and 
operated a woolen mill in Baraboo [Sauk County], WI, for several years, but 
is now living in Delton. By his second marriage our subject has seven 
children: Amelia I., Andrew John, Harrison Logan, Ira Jeremiah, Minnie 
Louise, Abraham L. and William D.

In politics Mr. GOMAN is a Republican, but has never been an active partisan. 
He is a true and earnest Christian, a convert of the faith of The Church of 
God, a new organization in his neighborhood, and he trusts implicitly in the 
Lord for his spritual and temporal welfare and that of his family.
Contributed by Cathy Kubly