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Nineteen Survivors of the Early Wars
Will Be Guests of Honor this Memorial Day

Alton P. Gould

Many Santa Cruzans are acquainted with our comrade, Alton P. Gould, who was for many years janitor of the Santa Cruz High School.

Enlisting in the navy in 1864 he was in the siege of Fort Fisher at the mouth of the Cape Fear river in North Carolina; also the siege of Fort Anderson. The rest of the time was spent blockading the port along the Atlantic and Gulf of St. Lawrence.

An interesting event was the time at Fort Anderson, after it was captured, and their ship was anchored in the harbor with all lights out, an English ship arrived loaded with ammunition and supplies for the Confederates anchored alongside. When morning arrived the Union battleship was all ready to fire when without objection the British ship surrendered.

Another time several of the boys went ashore in the captains' gig and deserted. When an officer came and found he was the only one left in the boat, he wanted to know why he had not gone with the rest and Comrade Gould told him he did not join the navy to desert.

Coming to California because of the many stories of gold and fine climate, he has never wished to leave. He is now 82 years of age and in fine health. The only G.A.R. now in Santa Cruz that was in the navy.

Santa Cruz Evening News (May 30, 1930)

GAR Well Represented

Alton Gould, 306 California Street, was born in Maine, March 14, 1847. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy and was on the gunboat "Iosco" in the blockading squadron in the north Atlantic. He participated in the battles of Fort Fisher and Fort Anderson on Cape Fear River in North Carolina. During the latter part of the war he was in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Mr. Gould had one brother in the 12th Massachusetts regiment who was taken prisoner and died in Libby prison in 1863, although the family did not receive word of this death until the war was ended.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (January 18, 1935)

Alton P. Gould War Veteran is Called by Death

Alton P. Gould, veteran of the Civil War, a friend of many and one who had been especially a favorite with the boys after an illness for some time, died yesterday at the family home on California street.

He was born in Maine and lived to the good ripe age of 87 years.

Before coming to Santa Cruz the Goulds resided at Skyland and they had many friends there. His home had been in this county for 53 years. A man upright and honest and of highest ideals is removed.

For many years Mr. Gould was building superintendent and caretaker at the high school. "Dad" was known by all the boys who attended the high school and was called that as a term of affection. He had the good will of every boy and it was remarkable the friendships he made with them and kept through life.

An event in the family life was on February 11, 1931, when Mr. and Mrs. Gould celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the family residence.

Mrs. Gould preceded him in death by two years and there was a marked devotion between them.

In the passing of Mr. Gould the Wallace Reynolds Post, G.A.R. now has four surviving members. When he united with the post it was one of the largest on the Pacific coast. Mr. Gould enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 and was assigned to the gunboat Iosco, in the blockading squadron in the North Atlantic. He participated in the battles of Fort Fisher and Fort Anderson on Cape Fear River in North Carolina.

He had one brother in the 42nd Massachusetts regiment who was taken prisoner and died in Libby prison in 1863, although the family did not receive word of his death until after the war had ended.

He is survived by two children, a daughter Carrie, of this city, and a son, A.H. Gould of San Francisco.

The daughter is a member of the Santa Cruz high school faculty and she had been devoted to her father during all the days of his illness.

Funeral services are to be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the chapel of the Wessendorf Mortuary and Rev. Heber St. Clair Mahood of the First Congregational church will officiate. Interment will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (January 20, 1935)

Funeral Was Held yesterday For the Late Alton Gould

Funeral services for Alton P. Gould were held yesterday afternoon at the chapel of Wessendorf Mortuary. Many friends were present, including members of the Women's Relief Corps and G.A.R., as only four of the latter organization survives.

The services were conducted by Rev. Heber St. Clair Mahood of the First Congregational Church, which church was attended by members of the Gould family.

The hymns "Lead Kindly Light" and "End of a Perfect Day" were sung by Mrs. Arista Mellor, accompanied by Mrs. Wilda Leiner Reed. Many flowers were about the casket. Interment was at the Odd Fellows' cemetery.

Date of Birth: 1847-03-14

Date of Death: 1935-17-01

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Santa Cruz Memorial Park

Plot: I63

Mortuary: W&S

Cause of Death: Hrt/Carditis

Date of Marriage: 1871/02/11

Spouse: (Gould)_ Emma

Occupation: Janitor

Religion: Co

Height: 5'10

Complexion: Lt

Eye Color: Bl

Hair Color: Br

Local Address: California 306

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: ME

Father Native of: Alpheus (ME)

Mother Native of: Witham_ Mary (ME)

Enlisted: 1864/

Military Unit: USN_ USS Iosco

Military Notes: Not on HDS/SSS Database 04/04

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: W&R 1896 Roster