Biographical Sketch of William Edward Gould - Henry County, Illinois WILLIAM EDWARD GOULD William Edward Gould, whose life work has been an influencing factor in financial circles in Kewanee and in this part of the state, while his sound judgment proves an excellent guide for the conduct of important business interests, was born in Cairo, Illinois, December 6, 1867, his parents being George and Anna (Clitherow) Gould. The father was a fruit grower, conducting a good business along horticultural lines. William E. Gould enjoyed the advantages of instruction in Oberlin College, after mastering the elementary branches of learning in the public schools, and in his youthful days became his father's assistant, which brought him practical business experience and gave him an insight into commercial and financial problems that has enabled him successfully to manage complex interests at a later day. He first became identified with banking at Toulon as a member of the firm of Dewey, Burge & Gould, on the 1st of May 1896, and there remained until April, 1902. For the past seven years he has been connected with the Savings Bank of Kewanee, of which he became one of the organizers, and at the same time he retains his interest in the bank at Toulon. Seeing opportunity for further investment in business interests that promised profitably he became a partner in the Kewanee Ice & Fuel Company, and also aided in the organization of the Fischer Lumber company of Kewanee, Missouri, of which h!!e is the secretary and treasurer. On the 1st of January, 1902, Mr. Gould was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Bates, of Kewanee, Illinois, a daughter of M. C. and Emma (Latimer) Bates, who are farming people of Knox County. Mr. And Mrs. Gould have one child, Harriet Barodel. The parents are well known socially in the city, the hospitality of the best homes of Kewanee being freely accorded them. Mr. Gould belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows Lodge, and his religious belief is evidenced in his membership in the First Congregational Church. While he is preeminently a business man he does not allow commercial and financial interest to monopolize his time to the exclusion of other affairs of vital moment, but one the contrary gives his cooperation to various measures and projects for the public good. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Alice Gless