Brief biographies of the figurines on display in ... - University Library

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Mary Ann (Elwell)
MRS. ENOCH GOGIN
(Mary Ann Elwell)
Gogin was born <strong>of</strong> Scotch ancestry,
in Greenbrier county, Virginia, on November 18,
1817. In 1824 her parents moved to Cincinnati, Ohio.
Here she married Enoch Gogin, in 1836. Two children,
a boy and a girl, were born to <strong>the</strong>m.
In 1841, with a company <strong>of</strong> fourteen relatives, <strong>the</strong>y
emigrated to Palestine, Illinois, near which place <strong>the</strong>y
entered land. Mr. Gogin built a log cabin and cultivated
his farm. After some years spent amid hardships, <strong>the</strong>
farm was sold and Mr. and Mrs. Gogin moved to <strong>the</strong> town
<strong>of</strong> Palestine.
In 1863, Mr. Gogin was appointed Postmaster, and
with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> his wife, conducted a General Merchandise
store, in connection with <strong>the</strong> Post Office. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Gogin encouraged religion and education, and
<strong>the</strong>ir home was a haven for ministers.
Mr. Gogin became an invalid; and at fifty years <strong>of</strong>
age, both <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir children dead, a grandchild and helpless
companion to support, " Auntie Gogin" as she was
called, entered <strong>the</strong> business world. She bought goods in
Terre Haute or Indianapolis for her millinery store, and
was soon well-known to <strong>the</strong> heads <strong>of</strong> firms in those cities.
In 1893 her husband died. She kept her home and
her business until 1900, when she sold <strong>the</strong>m and went to
live with <strong>the</strong> granddaughter she had reared and educated.
Mrs. Gogin was interested in church and temperance
work, charity and public improvements all <strong>of</strong> her
life. She died at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> eighty-five.