The founding family and Gould Homestead
The Gould Family
Friends and family on the Gould Home Front Lawn
In 1900, the Amos Gould House, located at the northwest corner of Washington and Oliver Streets in Owosso, was a popular gathering spot for local children of various ages. A photograph from that time shows the property bustling with activity, featuring numerous bicycles, a boy playing with a tennis racket, and a hammock on the side porch. Among the children in the image are 12-year-olds Sadie Greenman and Lee Woodard.
Their story continued beyond this snapshot: in 1908, Sadie and Lee married. Lee joined his father, Lyman Woodard I, and his brothers in the family businesses – the Woodard Furniture Co. and Owosso Casket Company. Notably, Woodard Furniture became Owosso’s longest-running industry, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2016.
This description provides a glimpse into both the social life surrounding the Amos Gould House and its connection to Owosso’s industrial history through the Woodard family.
Hon. Amos Gould
Judge and First Mayor of Owosso
Amos Gould, a prominent figure in Owosso’s history, arrived from Auburn, New York in 1843. Initially working as a railroad attorney for the Grand Trunk and Amboy railroads, Gould’s career expanded significantly over the years. He served as a Michigan State Senator from 1852 to 1855 and became Probate Judge for Shiawassee County in 1860.
When Owosso was incorporated as a city in 1859, Gould was elected as its first Mayor. In 1865, he founded the First National Bank of Owosso, operating it from his residence. He remained the bank’s President until his death in 1882. He also organized the first school district, brought in the first school teacher, organized the first cemetery association (Oak Hill) and organized the first Congregational Church.
The Coin Toss
Heroes at Home and Heroes at War
Ebenezer Gould, born on April 10, 1818, in Fleming, New York, later moved to Owosso, Michigan, where he studied law with his brother Amos. In 1862, faced with the decision of who would enlist in the Civil War, the brothers resorted to a coin toss. Ebenezer won, leading him to military service while Amos remained to manage the law practice and care for both families.
At 44, Ebenezer began his military career as 1st Major in the 8th Michigan Cavalry, eventually rising to colonel in the 5th Michigan Cavalry. During his service, he formed a close friendship with George Custer, under whom he served for a time. On July 13, 1863, Gould was wounded in action at Hagerstown, Maryland, sustaining a bullet wound to his leg above the ankle – an injury that would trouble him for the rest of his life.
Honorably discharged in November 1864, Ebenezer returned to Owosso as a war hero. His military service left a lasting impact, evident in the attendance of surviving Union Army veterans at his funeral when he passed away on August 7, 1877. Ebenezer Gould’s story illustrates the personal sacrifices and lasting bonds formed during the Civil War era.
Supporting the Union
Good Northern Men of Michigan in the Civil War
Gould’s influence extended beyond Owosso. An explorer and land speculator, he later became a timber baron, owning his own railroad company and vast tracts of land throughout Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas, as well as in Canada. His legacy is commemorated in the Upper Peninsula, where Gould City bears his name. He was also a strong Union Man during the Civil War and gave financial support to the wives and families of union soldiers while they were away.
He also helped to restore colleges and churches throughout Tennessee and Kentucky during the post war reconstruction period. In his correspondence with Union army chaplain Henry Cherry stationed in Knoxville, they discuss organizing “Good Northern Men” and “strong Union professors” to rebuild “the destructed state of the churches divided and impoverished by the war.” In true American fashion, they also participated in converting captured confederate properties to resources like schools and churches for black communities.
A Station on the Underground Railroad
The Hidden History Beneath Owosso’s Streets: Tunnels Connected the Gould Homes and Local Businesses
Owosso, Michigan, a city rich in history, harbors a fascinating secret beneath its streets – a network of underground tunnels that has long captivated the imagination of its residents. These tunnels have become intertwined with local lore about Owosso’s role in the Underground Railroad, a system that helped escaped slaves journey north to freedom in Canada during the 19th century.
It’s important to note that the term “Underground Railroad” was largely metaphorical. Most of the network consisted of safe houses, hidden rooms, and escape routes rather than actual underground passages. However, Owosso’s tunnels have led many to speculate about a more literal interpretation of this historical network in their town.
Vicki Betts affirms, “Don’t know if this is common knowledge but Owosso was a ‘station’ on the underground railroad during the Civil War.” This claim is echoed by Terry Strait, who recalls, “I always heard growing up in the 60s in Owosso that it was a stop on the Underground Railway for slaves.”
Personal accounts of the tunnels abound. Glenn R. Andrews states, “I have been inside those tunnels. When? 1950-52 Old Washington School.” Jan Huffman LaBrenz adds, “I lived on Adams in Owosso, there is a bricked entryway we were told was part of the underground railroad.”
The tunnels appear to connect various parts of the city. Joe Hammontree describes a network linking buildings: “There was also a door on the second floor that led across to the second story of the Treasures Cafe, but at the Time was the Brass Lamp. The one in the basement led all the way to where the Fifth Third Bank was and went across the street to Gilberts.”
Eric Reeves, a former homeowner on E. Oliver St., provides intriguing details: “There was a doorway on both the east and west side of the basement of the house that were filled with cement blocks into the stone walls.” He adds that a neighbor reported similar doors in other houses, suggesting an interconnected system.
Cheryl King Higgins points to a specific location: “One of the big old houses on Oliver, I believe it’s Oliver street next to Lafayette Square. The house was used to transport the slaves through the tunnels.”
While these accounts are compelling, it’s worth noting that Carrie Blanchett mentions, “I once saw an old map of the underground tunnels in Owosso, but I can’t remember where or when.” This elusive map, if it exists, could provide valuable insights into the extent and purpose of the tunnel network.
Karen S. Sawicki’s childhood memory adds another layer to the mystery: “I remember finding tunnels as a child, in the ground, by Hickory, Williams, and Oliver streets….Not sure what they were…”
While the true purpose and extent of Owosso’s underground tunnels remain shrouded in mystery, they continue to fascinate residents and history enthusiasts alike. Whether they played a role in the Underground Railroad or served some other purpose, these hidden passages are an intriguing part of Owosso’s rich historical tapestry.
Renovation and Transitions
The Evolution of a Civil War Home
Amos and his wife, Louisa Peck, built the large yellow brick house with exquisite sawed wooden trim. The house took its present appearance in 1873 when the Goulds remodeled their earlier house into an elaborate Italianate building with a mansard roof and the removal of a damaged widow walk in keeping with the grand houses and churches of wealthy industrialists, merchants, bankers, professionals, and entrepreneurs on Oliver Street.
In May 1938, Mary L. Gould and her husband David updated the home again with two apartments on the second floor, including adding modern comforts like electric, plumbing, bathrooms and a modern kitchen with an addition on the first floor. An additional room was created for a first-floor bathroom, and the plans include details for its completion, but it was never plumbed with water and may have existed with a pitcher basin and copper tub for the tenets of the first floor. The initial plans for this update can be seen in the blueprint above.
On October 9, 1979 the Owosso Historical Commission made a $20,000 down payment on the Gould House to owner Pauline Atkinson. The remaining $54,000 was due within the next 10 years with a six percent interest rate.
Save the Gould House!
Repairing the Failing Roof and Foundation
During the city’s ownership of the Amos Gould House, significant emergency repairs became necessary. A $250,000 roof repair, funded by a millage, was one of the major expenses. In addition to this, porches required rebuilding, and the ornate woodwork required regular painting and replacing. In 2018, the plaster ceiling in the great room collapsed, requiring $15,000 for restoration. The Owosso Historical Commission organized a “Crisis Intervention” event to raise funds for this repair, highlighting the ongoing maintenance challenges.
With an estimated $1.5 million needed for complete restoration and renovation, the continuous financial burden became unsustainable for the city. Recognizing this, City Council member Sue Osika in coordination with the Owosso Historical Commission spearheaded an initiative to find a private investor who could take ownership and maintain the historic home, ensuring its preservation while alleviating the financial strain on the city. This also allowed the city to recoup expepenses previously invested in the house and ensure the longterm stability of the home.
Repairs in Progress
Gould Historic: A New Chapter Begins
After years of dedicated stewardship by the City of Owosso, the historic Amos Gould House is set to embark on a new chapter. To alleviate the financial burden associated with maintaining and restoring this historic landmark, the city decided to sell the property to private investors. The proceeds from the sale will be used to offset the millage paid by local residents, providing immediate tangible benefit to the community.
This transition offers a unique opportunity for the Harrington Family to take ownership of this iconic piece of Owosso’s history and continue the important work of preservation and restoration. By assuming responsibility for the property, they can ensure that the Amos Gould House remains a vibrant cultural asset for generations to come. Follow our restoration work process on the Progress page.
Interested in following the progress of updates to the Gould or Gardens?
Check out the renderings and plans for the Gould Historic on or Renovations Planning Page
Follow our progress