GOOLD FAMILY HISTORIC TIES TO VICTOR, COLORADO & FAMOUS FORMER RESIDENTS OF THE CITY--Lowell Thomas, Jack Dempsey, & Morgan Williams. By Nellie Goold Young (grand-daughter of Everett Elmer Goold, Sr., daughter of Everett Elmer Goold, Jr.).
GO WEST YOUNG MAN, GO WEST AND GROW UP WITH YOUR COUNTRY
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I’d like to introduce you to my grandfather, Everett Elmer Goold, Sr., born 1864 in Grafton, Vermont, son of Henry Allen and Abigail (Williams) Goold. Horace Greeley’s headline of “Go west young man – go west to grow with your country”, plus the Colorado gold rush must have been the incentive to leave his family home in Chester, Vermont.
Everett, his bride-to-be Lula Isabanda Harrington, and her mother Elsie Francena Harrington ventured west sometime around 1887. They settled in Manitou Springs, Colorado where Everett and Lula were married in 1888. He was 24 years old, Lula 22. Everett’s father, Henry Allen Goold, was a carpenter in Chester, Vermont. He was also a free mason and a Civil War veteran. We must surmise that Everett had received an adequate education that would have allowed him to later establish his own dry goods business that we know existed in Manitou Springs by 1890. |
Henry Allen Goold and sons, Everett (left) and Edward. Chester, VT, 1909. All historic photos and memorabilia shared by Nellie Goold Young. Click to enlarge.
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Wedding photo: Everett Elmer Goold, Sr. & Lulu Harrington. Manitou Springs, Colorado, 1888.
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Elsie Francena Harrington (Lulu's mother), circa 1887.
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In 1889, Everett and Lula had their first child. They had named him Allen, but sadly he died the same day. It must be noted that Lula was quite frail; and at some time during her life began suffering from kidney disease, which may have been the reason that Elsie came West with them.
In 1892, my father Everett Elmer Goold, Jr. was born. Lula had a seven month pregnancy and it was said that he weighed only a few pounds. They bundled him up, put him in a shoe box and placed him in one of the display cabinets in the window of their store. This served as an incubator as directed by their physician Dr. Basil Creighton. |
In 1894, they suffered another loss of a stillborn little girl, named Genevieve. June 18, 1899 – Tragedy strikes the little family, again. Lula dies at age 33 of kidney failure, most likely inherited from her father who died of Bright’s disease. Little Everett is seven years old, and has lost his mother….thank God for his grandmother. Lula is buried in the Crystal Valley Cemetery, in Manitou Springs, along with her children Allen and Genevieve.
In 1900, we find Everett, Sr., son Everett Jr. and mother-in-law Elsie up the mountain in the mining town of Cripple Creek. They subsequently move to Victor where Everett, Sr. establishes his Victor Mercantile Store at 306 Victor Avenue and marries Isabel (Ramsay) McCormack in 1905. She is a widow with two children, Lawrence and Gladys Ramsay.
Interior of E.E. Goold Mercantile Store at 306 Victor Avenue with "gentlemen's furnishings, hats and caps, boots and shoes". Photo circa 1906 shared by Nellie Goold Young who notes: "That's my grandfather, Everett, Sr., standing behind the showcase. Look closely--that's my father, Everett, Jr., standing at the far end of the showcase. Recent exterior and interior photos of 306 Victor Avenue are shown below.
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As an aside, over a century later these photos show the exterior and interior of the building at 306 Victor Avenue where the E.E. Goold Mercantile was once located on the first floor and some family members lived above the shop. The photos were taken in 2018 when the building was occupied by the Headframe Tavern--a family bar and restaurant. The building is now vacant.
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306 Victor Ave, 2018.
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Interior of Headframe Tavern--306 Victor Ave.
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Everett Jr's grandmother Elsie moves to Denver, and Everett Jr. joins her along with her son, Fred and Fred’s son, Lyman. On April 28, 1911, Elsie dies of stomach cancer at the age 66. She is buried in the Crystal Valley Cemetery in Manitou Springs, joining Lula, Allen and Genevieve.
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Everett Sr. has become a very prominent member of the Victor community, not only as a businessman but an Alderman. He and second wife Isabel own a home at 218 S 2nd Street. He also is a member of the local Masonic lodge. Sometime during this period of time, he was out in his buggy and was struck by lightning. This had a great affect on his health, and he journeyed to San Diego and stayed for a short time hoping that the good climate there might be of help – to no avail. On October 23, 1911, at age 47, Everett, Sr. died of ‘aneurysms of ascending and transverse arch of the aorta”. He is buried with the others at the Crystal Valley Cemetery.
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2022 photo of. home at 218 South 2nd Street in Victor where Isabel and Everett Goold, Sr. once lived.
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Everett Jr., at age 19, has lost his mother, his father and his grandmother. He has been assigned a guardian to protect his assets.
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Everett returns to Victor, and is working in the mines, the Portland for sure. He meets Gertrude Dwyer, and they marry in 1914. The marriage license states that he is 23, she is 19. They have a child who is stillborn in 1915 and then a son William born in 1918. Also in 1914, Everett is stationed at Camp Walsenburg, Colorado serving in K Co, 2nd Infantry, N.G.C. His WWI Draft Registration Card 1917-18, states he had served for three years as a private in the infantry. The marriage did not succeed and they eventually divorce in 1921.
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Everett Goold, Jr, 1914, serving in military, age 22.
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Everett Goold, Jr, Victor CO, ca 1918, age 26.
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In 1924, Everett marries Mary Alice Daves in Denver. Something must not have been well to begin with in this marriage, as 1925 finds him in California working in a variety of constructions jobs. He returned to Victor, and on January 9, 1929 divorced Mary. (One never knows what really goes on between mates, and I would not begin to question why these marriages failed.)
FATE INTERVENES – Let me introduce you to my mother Lois Smith Posey.
Lois (Smith) Posey was born in Iowa in 1901, the daughter of Lewis Edwin “Ed” and Nellie (Dale) Smith. In 1920, she married Clarence Posey, and they had two sons, George and Harold. In 1927, they were living in Wyoming and Clarence was killed in a refinery explosion. With two small children, she had no recourse but to return to her parent’s home in Trinidad, Colorado. Sadly, her father was seriously ill and died shortly after her arrival. Like Everett, she had two great losses in such a short time.
In 1928, Lois went to Victor to visit her sister, Millie. Millie was doing quite well as there was money to make in taking care of many single miners. She encouraged Lois to join her. Lois rented a house and quickly began serving meals; and also started taking in laundry.
Lois (Smith) Posey was born in Iowa in 1901, the daughter of Lewis Edwin “Ed” and Nellie (Dale) Smith. In 1920, she married Clarence Posey, and they had two sons, George and Harold. In 1927, they were living in Wyoming and Clarence was killed in a refinery explosion. With two small children, she had no recourse but to return to her parent’s home in Trinidad, Colorado. Sadly, her father was seriously ill and died shortly after her arrival. Like Everett, she had two great losses in such a short time.
In 1928, Lois went to Victor to visit her sister, Millie. Millie was doing quite well as there was money to make in taking care of many single miners. She encouraged Lois to join her. Lois rented a house and quickly began serving meals; and also started taking in laundry.
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In January 1929, Lois bought a house, and in May bought a new Chevrolet car. In July she had a small accident. Her cost was $9 and the other car $11 to fix. The driver of the other car was Everett Goold Jr , and they decided that each would fix their own cars. Everett called on her and invited her to a dance in Manitou Springs. It didn’t take long for them to be married in Cripple Creek on August 17, 1929, and they immediately headed for California.
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Everett's proposal letter to Lois before getting married in Cripple Creek on August 17, 1929 and leaving for California.
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I was born on August 9, 1930, at the “Stork’s Nest” hospital in Inglewood, California. Our little family was comprised of Everett, Lois, George, Harold and me [Nellie]. My parents provided us with all the love and affection that one could ever wish for. I have often commented that there was never a harsh word spoken in our family. We were truly happy! Dad passed away in 1962, at age 69; mother died in 1995, at age 94.
Our little family, 1948. George Posey, Nellie Goold, Harold Posey, Lois (Smith, Posey) Goold, Everett Goold, Jr. Photo shared by Nellie Goold Young, age 18 at the time.
THE TRILOGY FROM VICTOR, COLORADO -- "CITY OF MINES"
There were a number of noteworthy people who at one time resided in Victor. I will be sharing the story of my father’s friendship with a few of them. I must note that he never knew a stranger. I will call this “The Trilogy” – and here goes.
Lowell Thomas
Lowell Thomas was the son of a doctor who practiced medicine in Victor. As such, his father would have very likely had some relationship with my grandfather, Everett Goold, Sr., who owned and operated the Victor Mercantile Store; and also was a Mason and an Alderman. Lowell was born in April 1892, my father Everett Jr. was born in May 1892; hence they probably attended the same grade at school.
Lowell certainly had worldwide recognition, beginning with news coverage of Lawrence of Arabia. He was also known for his CBS radio news program, the longest running (46 years) in the media’s history. In 1939, he is also considered to be the first network newscaster for television. I can recall, that back in the 1940s, every movie house would show the feature film, a comedy, and the “Movietone News” with Lowell serving as commentator.
Lowell Thomas was the son of a doctor who practiced medicine in Victor. As such, his father would have very likely had some relationship with my grandfather, Everett Goold, Sr., who owned and operated the Victor Mercantile Store; and also was a Mason and an Alderman. Lowell was born in April 1892, my father Everett Jr. was born in May 1892; hence they probably attended the same grade at school.
Lowell certainly had worldwide recognition, beginning with news coverage of Lawrence of Arabia. He was also known for his CBS radio news program, the longest running (46 years) in the media’s history. In 1939, he is also considered to be the first network newscaster for television. I can recall, that back in the 1940s, every movie house would show the feature film, a comedy, and the “Movietone News” with Lowell serving as commentator.
Autographed photo Lowell Thomas sent to my father: "Dear Everett--This is the life! Lowell"
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Letter dated Sept 26, 1962 that Lowell Thomas sent to my mother, Lois, after the passing of my father, Everett (d 14 Sept 1962).
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Next Up--William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey
William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey
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William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was known as the Manassa Mauler for the small Colorado town where he was born in 1895. He moved with his family to Victor, where he later worked in the Portland Mine. He was discovered by his trainer, Morgan Williams; he trained and fought his first rounds in Victor. (Please note the name of Morgan Williams, number three in the trilogy.)
Jack was a true American hero, a man remembered as a great heavyweight boxing champion, holding the title from 1914 to 1926. He also served as a USCG Commander in WWII. |
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My father may have worked beside Jack Dempsey in the Portland Mine. Everett certainly made friends with Jack during this time, as they later reconnected in California.
By 1929, Jack and his brother, Barney, had opened the “Manhattan Gym” located in 5th & Spring Streets, in Los Angeles. In 1930, my mother was pregnant with me. Jack told my Dad that if they named the baby after him, he would personally pay the hospital bill. I was born on August 9, and named Nellie (after my grandmother Nellie Smith) JACQUELINE Goold! |
Photo signed & dated "To My Old Pal, Everett E Goold, From Jack Dempsey, 6/6/28" when Everett was in Victor.
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Sometime in the late 1940s, my parents and I made a trip to visit Jack. I couldn’t recall the exact address, so looked in Dad’s pocket notebook and there it was – 5254 Los Feliz Blvd., and even had the phone number Olympia 5229. We sat outside on lawn chairs and his daughter, Barbara, joined us. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.
Mother with Jack Dempsey and my brother George, 1929.
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Dad with Jack and my brother George, 1929.
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New Year Greetings Card received by the Goold Family from Barbara, Joan, & Jack Dempsey.
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Left to right: Unknown, Jack Dempsey, Everett Goold, Jack’s brother Barney at the Manhattan Gym, Los Angeles.
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Morgan Williams (number three in the trilogy).
This is in memory of Morgan Williams, the kindest, sweetest human being I have ever known. “Morg”, as we called him was born in Ohio, but quickly moved west to Victor, where we find him listed in the 1900 and 1920 census records, residing at 310 So. 3rd St.
As I have no direct knowledge of his early life, I do know that he was boxer. Records show that he was a middleweight fighter with 42 bouts, 29 wins, 4 lost, 9 draws. According to a newspaper obituary (most likely the Cripple Creek paper), “he came to the District in 1899 and gained a name for himself as a heavy weight fighter when he was matched against such men as Jim Flynn, Mexican Pete Everett, George Copland, Young Hector and Jack Johnson. Later he became a promoter and trainer, and Johnson and Jack Dempsey both came under his tutelage. Williams acted as chief of police of Victor for some time.” The Jim Flynn fight was held on Sept. 6, 1915 at the Victor Opera House, under the auspices of the Loyal Order of the Moose No. 403.
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Morg would come and visit, off and on, with our California family, and he was like a grandfather to me. One visit was in 1930/31 and we have a photo of him holding me in his arms. My mother told me that Morg would take me up close to our radio, which was playing music, and he would rock me to the rhythm. Perhaps that’s the reason for my love of music?
In the 1920 census, a Margaret Williams is shown as his wife. I don’t know how long this marriage lasted, but by 1930, Morg is in Huntington Park, California, still shown as a miner, and no wife indicated. In 1940, he is in Goldfield, Nevada. From my mother’s family history (1938), “Our friend, Morgan Williams, came over from Nevada to visit. In his divorce settlement, he owned a lot on 71st Street in Los Angeles. This trip, he said, ‘Guess I lost the lot – I haven’t paid the taxes for a couple of years.’ After he left, I went downtown to check; he owed for two years, $14.00 per year. I paid it and said nothing to anyone.” |
Morg Williams holding me [Nellie], my mother Lois to the right, 1930/31.
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My parents had been thinking about purchasing their own home, and when they mentioned it to Morg, he told them to not do anything until we heard from him. "Shortly after, the deed to the lot was ours.” Morg wanted a home for ‘his little family’, and it was built and occupied by 1939. Morg came, again, in the 1940s and stayed with us while working in the Naval Shipyards in Long Beach.
After the war, Morg returned to Tonopah, Nevada, where he died in 1947. “He had left a postal savings certificate (which we were keeping for him) to Nellie. He had a few war bonds, too. Nellie said, Mother, put that money on his funeral bill, which we did.”
"Goold Family Historic Ties to Victor, Colorado & Famous Former Residents of the City" (submitted June 2022) by Nellie Gould Young.
After the war, Morg returned to Tonopah, Nevada, where he died in 1947. “He had left a postal savings certificate (which we were keeping for him) to Nellie. He had a few war bonds, too. Nellie said, Mother, put that money on his funeral bill, which we did.”
"Goold Family Historic Ties to Victor, Colorado & Famous Former Residents of the City" (submitted June 2022) by Nellie Gould Young.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nellie Goold Young is the granddaughter of Everett Elmer Goold, Sr. (1864-1911), and daughter of Everett Elmer Goold, Jr. (1892-1962). Her grandfather and father had life-long ties to Victor, Colorado and friends made there. Nellie was born August 9, 1930, in Inglewood, California--a year after her parents left Victor for California.
In 1950 her family visited a stepbrother, William, in Victor. Nellie recalls going down a mine shaft, "quite an experience"; and seeing a collection of Lowell Thomas memorabilia displayed by Mary Rankin, "such a lovely woman then in her 80's". Mary and husband Sam lived in Victor during the booming days of the Mining District when Lowell Thomas was getting a start in the newspaper business, and Ralph Carr was a struggling lawyer who eventually became Governor of Colorado. Both lived in Mary's boarding house and years later she took pride in having "helped raise" two of Colorado's most illustrious sons who she affectionately called "my boys".
Nellie Goold married Burton Young in 1949 and in 1955 they had a daughter, Tracy. In 1975 Tracy married Eddie Light, and Nellie was soon gifted with two grandchildren, Eddie and Daneen. Burton died in 2017; they had been married for 67 years. Nellie resides in the home in California that they purchased in 1950 (71 years ago). While researching her family history, she discovered ancestors from the American Revolutionary War and passengers on the Mayflower. She is active in the DAR and a member of the Mayflower Society.
Thanks to Nellie Goold Young for sharing her Goold Family story about her grandfather and father. It illustrates how people who met in Victor often stayed in touch and supported each other after they moved away.
Nellie Goold Young is the granddaughter of Everett Elmer Goold, Sr. (1864-1911), and daughter of Everett Elmer Goold, Jr. (1892-1962). Her grandfather and father had life-long ties to Victor, Colorado and friends made there. Nellie was born August 9, 1930, in Inglewood, California--a year after her parents left Victor for California.
In 1950 her family visited a stepbrother, William, in Victor. Nellie recalls going down a mine shaft, "quite an experience"; and seeing a collection of Lowell Thomas memorabilia displayed by Mary Rankin, "such a lovely woman then in her 80's". Mary and husband Sam lived in Victor during the booming days of the Mining District when Lowell Thomas was getting a start in the newspaper business, and Ralph Carr was a struggling lawyer who eventually became Governor of Colorado. Both lived in Mary's boarding house and years later she took pride in having "helped raise" two of Colorado's most illustrious sons who she affectionately called "my boys".
Nellie Goold married Burton Young in 1949 and in 1955 they had a daughter, Tracy. In 1975 Tracy married Eddie Light, and Nellie was soon gifted with two grandchildren, Eddie and Daneen. Burton died in 2017; they had been married for 67 years. Nellie resides in the home in California that they purchased in 1950 (71 years ago). While researching her family history, she discovered ancestors from the American Revolutionary War and passengers on the Mayflower. She is active in the DAR and a member of the Mayflower Society.
Thanks to Nellie Goold Young for sharing her Goold Family story about her grandfather and father. It illustrates how people who met in Victor often stayed in touch and supported each other after they moved away.
THE PAST MATTERS. PASS IT ALONG.
The Next Generation Will Only Inherit What We Choose to Save and Make Accessible.
Please Share Your Memories and Family Connections to Victor & the World's Greatest Gold Camp
By Contacting Victor Heritage Society, PO Box 424, Victor, CO 80860 or e-mail VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com.
The Next Generation Will Only Inherit What We Choose to Save and Make Accessible.
Please Share Your Memories and Family Connections to Victor & the World's Greatest Gold Camp
By Contacting Victor Heritage Society, PO Box 424, Victor, CO 80860 or e-mail VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com.