Biographical Sketch of

John Godson

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 530 and 531 


John Godson, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on 
Section 14, in the town of Marion, Waushara County, is of English 
birth. He was born in Warwickshire, May 27, 1824, and is a son of John 
and Ann (Archer) Godson, who were natives of the same county. Their 
family of six children comprised the following persons: Sarah, wife of 
Leonard Bohner, of Oxfordshire, England; Thomas, a resident of Newark, 
New Jersey; William, who is living in Bloomfield, Waushara County; John 
of this sketch; Edmond, of Warwickshire, England; and Ann, whose home 
is in Waushara County. Mr. and Mrs. Godson were members of the Church 
of England. Their entire lives were passed in Warwickshire, and in that 
county they were laid to rest when their journey on earth was over. 
Their youngest daughter remained with them until they were called home, 
tenderly caring for them in their last days. 


John Godson, whose name heads this notice, has followed farming 
throughout his entire life. He was reared to that occupation, and 
since attaining his majority has made it his business. His early life 
was unmarked by any event of special importance, but when a young man 
of twenty-seven years he crossed the Atlantic to seek a home in America. 
After many days spent upon the water, he landed in New York, and the 
same year, 1851, located in Ulster County, New York, on the Hudson River. 
Knowing himself dependent upon his own exertions for a livelihood, he 
at once began the search for employment and secured a position as farm 
hand, in which position he served until 1855, when he resolved to try 
his fortune in the West, and came to Waushara County. He has never yet 
had occasion to regret the step then taken, for he has been successful 
in his business enterprises, and has become one of the prosperous 
farmers of the community. In 1858 he purchased a farm in the town of 
Bloomfield of 160 acres, which he developed into a highly cultivated 
tract. On that place was a sugar orchard which was used by the Indians. 
While there residing he tapped 1,500 trees, and made from 1,000 to 
2,000 pounds of sugar per season. On selling his first farm, he 
purchased forty acres of land in section 14, in the town of Marion, 
in July, 1881, but is now the owner of eighty acres of valuable land, 
which pays a golden tribute to the care and cultivation which he bestows 
upon it.

In political sentiment, Mr. Godson is a Republican, and a warm advocate 
of the party principles. He leads a life of usefulness, giving his 
influence and support to the upbuilding of the county and its best 
interests, and is a man of sterling worth.






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