THOMAS GOSCH. The German element engrafted on our intense American life has produced the best results in the pursuit of agriculture. Thomas Gosch has been a successful farmer and dairyman in Bunker Hill township, living on section 13, where he owns a fine property of one hundred and ninety-two and one-half acres, most of which is under cultivation and well stocked with milch cows. He has owned and lived on this farm since 1883. He came to Dorchester Township in 1866 and from there to this township, following farming with the exception of the first two years when he was a laborer in Bunker Hill.

Mr. Gosch was born in Schleswig Holstein, Germany, on October 11, 1841. He is the son of Claus Gosch whose history may be found in that of John Gosch in this volume. Our subject was reared and educated in his native province in Germany and was there married to Miss Franka Thoda, a native of the same province as her husband and of German ancestry. She also was reared, and educated in her own country.

Mr. Gosch and wife soon after their marriage decided to emigrate to the United States, taking passage in 1866 at Hamburg, Germany, in a German vessel "Tentonia" sailed to England and thence to New York City and at once came to Macoupin County, Ill., where they have since lived. They are good citizens and successful farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Gosch are the parents of four children - John, who at present lives on a farm in this township; Thomas, who aids his father at home; Henry and Otto F. who live at home, and one child who died young. Mr. and Mrs. Gosch were reared under the Lutheran religion and still incline to that faith. Mr. Gosch and sons are stanch Republicans in politics.