HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS, E. Polk Johnson, three volumes, Lewis
Publishing Co., New York & Chicago, 1912. Common version, 
Vol. III, pp. 1299-1300.   [Boyd County]

REV. N. N. GOSSELIN--The life of the subject of this sketch has been one of
signal activity and devotion in the field of his labor and he has worked
for the good of his parish and his fellow beings along the paths of
uprightness, religion and education with a zeal which has made his life one
worthy of emulation.  He has not only shown marked capability and
earnestness in his clerical work but has manifested an administrative
ability which has been potent in insuring the temporal welfare of his
parish, and he is held in high esteem for his devotion to the cause and for
his able service in his holy calling as a priest of the church.
     Father Gosselin, pastor of the Holy Family Catholic church at Ashland,
was born in St. Pierre D'Orleans, Quebec, Canada, in 1846, the son of
Laurent and Marguerite (Godbout) Gosselin, also natives of Canada, whose
ancestors came from Normandy and were of French descent.  His father was a
farmer and he and his wife made their home in Canada during their lives.
Our subject was reared on the farm and assisted through many days of hard
work.  He attended the parochial school and later became a student at
Quebec and also at Bourbonnais, Illinois, at St. Viateur College.  He
graduated and was ordained in 1882 for the diocese of Covington, Kentucky.
He was appointed assistant priest at Ashland, Kentucky, of the Holy Family
Parish in 1882, and a year later became pastor at Verona, Kentucky. In 1886
he was sent to Jellico, Tennessee, and two years later returned to Ashland
as pastor, where he has since remained.  To his energy is due much of the
good and successful condition of the church and parish affairs generally.
     It will be interesting to read a slight sketch of the history of the
church with which Father Gosselin has been connected for over twenty-two
years.  Prior to the organization of the church in Ashland missionary
services were held by Bishop Gilmour, of Cleveland, and Father Oswald, of
Covington, Kentucky, the latter being the first missionary there. In
1854 a lot was bought by Father O'Neil at the time Ashland was laid out,
and in 1856 a small brick church was built, which was later used for
school purposes. The first resident priest was Father H. G. Allan in
1859, succeeded by Father Lambert Young in 1863, the next in turn being
Father McInerny.
     In 1867 the foundation of the new church was laid by Father C. L.
O'Brien, and was completed by him in 1876.  Under his administration he
bought most of the lots which now comprise the entire city block occupied
by the church and buildings.  The church is still in use and is one of the
finest in the town.  Father O'Brien did much in developing the early work
in the church.  In 1878 Father L. G. Clermont became pastor and governed
the parish until 1888, and during this time he built the parochial
residence.  Father Clermont was a man much beloved by all who knew, and
came in contact with him.  In 1878 begins the record of events that have
been accomplished by the Sisters of St. Frances, those women whose entire
lives are devoted to others and their needs.  The beginning was a school
established in the old church building and a small frame structure.  The
school progressed to such an extent that more accommodation was necessary
and in 1891 the present fine, modern, two-story brick school building was
erected, under the administration of Father N. N. Gosselin, who succeeded
Father Clermont in 1888 and has continued to serve ever since.
     The sisters have accomplished much good; Sister Matilda had the honor
of establishing the first school; Sister Anastasia is still the principal
and head of the commercial department, which she established fifteen years
ago, and she has no doubt done more for the success of the school than
any other person of the acknowledged benefactors of the institution;
Sister Assisi, who is the head of the musical department, which position
she has held for a number of years, is one of the most successful teachers
in the school.  There is also a primary department in connection with the
school.  In 1900 the sisters' residence was built by Father Gosselin, the
building and grounds modern and up to date.  The parish and congregation
are prosperous and in a most encouraging condition, and consists of about
two hundred families.
     Father Gosselin has contributed largely to the development and success
during the past twenty years to the schools and church, during which time
the beautiful grounds and modern buildings have been established.  He has
been indefatigable in promoting the growth both of the temporal and
spiritual welfare of the parish over which he is placed in charge, a man
of high intellectuality, his life has been useful as a priest and man and
this resume of his career will be read with interest to all who have had
cognizance of his efforts.

Gosselin Godbout O'Brien Clermont Gilmour Oswald O'Neil
=
Covington-Kenton-KY Verona-Boone-KY TN IL OH Canada Normandy

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/boyd/gosselin.nn.txt