Enriched with a multitude of remarkable figures who have indelibly shaped both the local and national scene, Taneytown carries a profound historical legacy intertwined with captivating tales. Visionary trailblazers, creative luminaries, and accomplished professionals have all graced Taneytown, bestowing upon it a roster of renowned personalities that have not only enriched its own history but also left an enduring impact beyond its borders. Within the enchanting streets of this town, the imprints of these celebrated individuals converge, forming a mosaic of accomplishments and inspiration that continues to fascinate both its residents and those who come to visit. Within the confines of this article, we will delve into the life of one such visionary, Colonel Joseph Aloysius Goulden.
Joseph Aloysius Goulden was born on August 1, 1844, in Littlestown, Pennsylvania. His educational journey led him to schools in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Taneytown, Maryland. He eventually graduated from the Eagleton Institute in Taneytown, obtaining his teaching certification at 18. Goulden had the unique privilege of being present at the historical moment when Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, personally hearing the impactful speech.
In 1864, Goulden joined the United States Marine Corps and swiftly became a non-commissioned officer. He served in various regions, including the North Atlantic, Potomac, and James River. In a skirmish at Drewry’s Bluff in Virginia, his vessel came under fire from land-based batteries situated along the southern shore of the Potomac, resulting in Goulden sustaining injuries. As the war neared its conclusion, Goulden was invited to become a Second Lieutenant in the regular army, which he chose to turn down.
Following the war, Goulden transitioned into an educator and principal role at public and parochial schools in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and Martinsburg, West Virginia. He further demonstrated his dedication by becoming a board member of Pennsylvania's state reformatory in Morganza, Pennsylvania. In 1870, he relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he established himself in the insurance sector as a manager for Penn Mutual Life Insurance. His commitment extended beyond this, as he served on the military staff of Pennsylvania Governor Robert E. Pattison with the title of Colonel from 1882 to 1886.
In 1889, Goulden made a significant move to New York City, where he engaged in business investments and maintained an active role in the insurance industry. Among his entrepreneurial ventures was his presidency at the Chelan Consolidated Copper Company. Additionally, he took on a vital part in the insurance agency known as J. A. Goulden & Son.
In 1902, he secured a seat in Congress as a member of the Democratic Party, representing the eighteenth Congressional District of New York. At that time, this district boasted a population of 450,000, making it the most populous Congressional District in the nation. He went on to win re-election in subsequent years – 1904, 1906, 1908, 1912, and 1914 – during the last two terms, representing the twenty-third district.
Throughout his life, Goulden exhibited unwavering dedication to various causes involving veterans and civic matters. He actively engaged with the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Association, made significant contributions to state and city school systems, and played a role in the College of the City of New York affairs. His affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic and his position on the board of trustees for the Bath, New York soldiers' home clearly demonstrated his commitment to fellow veterans. Additionally, he held the esteemed role of secretary within the commission responsible for constructing the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument on Riverside Drive on the upper west side of Manhattan.
Even amid his bustling schedule, Goulden was fond of his family's rural retreat in Taneytown, known as Glenburn. He devoted his summers and holidays to this cherished haven, establishing a meaningful link to his ancestral legacy spanning multiple generations. He never missed a Tri-State Fair in Taneytown, even if it meant leaving a busy schedule in New York or Washington, D.C.
On May 3, 1915, as he was preparing to board a train at Pennsylvania's Broad Street Station, Goulden suffered a heart attack. Although a nearby doctor promptly assisted, Goulden had already passed away.
On May 7, 1915, the mortal remains of Goulden were transferred from the Church of Our Lady of Mercy to the Pennsylvania Railroad Station. Following this, a delegation of New York legislators joined the family on their journey back to Taneytown. There, Goulden was laid to rest in St. Joseph's Cemetery alongside several generations of the Goulden family.
On December 6, 1915, the House of Representatives conducted special speeches to pay tribute to the memory of Goulden. Among those who spoke, George Murray Hulbert (1881-1950) revealed in his speech that a poem had been discovered in Goulden's pocket after his passing. This poem had been composed by Goulden for an upcoming dinner event hosted by the Grand Army of the Republic, scheduled for the following Saturday. Hulbert expressed his belief that this poem eloquently embodied the very essence of Goulden's life and character:
"A little more tired at close of day,
A little less anxious to have our way;
A little less ready to scold and blame,
A little more care of a brother's name;
And so we are nearing the journey's end,
Where time and eternity meet and blend.
A little more love for the friends of youth,
A little less zeal for established truth;
A little more charity in our views,
A little less thirst for the daily news;
And so we are folding our tents away,
And passing in silence at close of day.
A little less care for bonds and gold,
A little more zest in the days of old;
A broader view and a saner mind,
A little more love for all mankind;
And so we are faring adown the way
That leads to the gates of a better day.
A little more leisure to sit and dream,
A little more real the things unseen;
A little nearer to those ahead,
With visions of those long loved and dead;
And so we are going, where all must go,
To the place the living may never know.
A little more laughter, a few more tears,
And we shall have told our increasing years;
The book is closed and the prayers are said,
And we are part of the countless dead.
Thrice happy if then, some soul can say,
"I live because the Grand Army passed my way.""
Hulbert concluded, "Mr. Speaker, with him I wish to add that I live because Col. JOSEPH A. GOULDEN passed my way."
David Buie is a resident of Taneytown and can be contacted via email at teambuie05@msn.com.
