Isaac Goss – A Christian Man in Every Sense – Grave tales

Goss Family Wittenoom Street Boulder

The Goss Family at Tea – Piesse Street, Boulder – Photo SLWA

Issac William Goss
Undertaker

This is one of my favourite photographs. It is of the Goss family taken at their home in Piesse Street, Boulder in 1910.  The family was well known for their Undertakers business in Piesse Street, Boulder. Many of the headstones in our local cemeteries have their maker’s name on them.  This picture shows how the women civilised ‘Outback’ society and how every effort was made to keep up the standards. These women are shown in the best clothes and with the lovely tea set and beautiful Japanese-inspired umbrella, it all looks so refined. Also, the handsome kangaroo dog, there are lots of photographs that show these beautiful animals but they are not seen much any more. They look very much like a large but more muscular greyhound.  This one may have been a family pet. The following information was supplied by Anna Fisher, a relative of the Goss family: The lady standing by the tea set is Rebecca Goss, Isaac’s wife, and the girl at the very back is Annie Chapel Goss (who married William Hudson FISHER) and the child at the front is their child Leonard who was born in 1901.

The family business was situated to the left of Queens Church at 36 Piesse Street (which is now apartments).

The Evening Star 1912

The Evening Star 1903

Kalgoorlie Miner 2nd Jul 1928 Death of Mr. I.W. Goss— On Saturday morning the death occurred of, Mr Isaac William Goss, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Boulder. The late Mr Goss was born in Cornwall 81 years ago and came to Australia when he was 10 years of age. At different times he lived in Adelaide, Burra and Broken Hill and he arrived in Kalgoorlie in 1896. He then went to Kanowna and after a brief stay in that town, he finally settled in Boulder, where he set up in business, as an undertaker. The late Mr Goss was a great churchman and for many years his hand has helped and guided the affairs of the Queen’s Methodist Church.
As treasurer and circuit steward for the Methodist Church, he gave invaluable service for a long period, and for 17 years, up to the time of his death, he was superintendent of Queen’s Sunday School.
He was a foundation member of the Sir William Wallace Lodge of Freemasons, Kalgoorlie and was also a member of the M.U.O.F.S. Lodge of Burra SA. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Bowling Club. His widow is left with her three sons and three daughters, to mourn their loss. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon and, a very large number of people, young and old, followed the cortege to the Methodist portion of the Boulder Cemetery. The Rev. Tom Allen, who came from Perth to be present at the last solemn journey on earth of his friend, conducted the service at the graveside. In the evening the same minister conducted a beautiful memorial service in Queen’s Church and paid a wonderful tribute to Mr Goss, a man who had lived a Christian life in every sense and had done so much for his church.

The Headstone for Isaac and Rebecca Goss in the Boulder Cemetery – Photo Danelle Warnock.

Mr and Mrs Isaac Goss (far right) in the garden at the rear of their funeral parlour next to Queens Church, Piesse Street, Boulder – Photo SLWA

Family History: Isaac William GOSS was born on 1 October 1846 in Lanlivery, Cornwall, England. he was the oldest child of Samuel GOSS and Maria nee WOODCOCK. On 17 Jun 1871, he married Rebekka PULLIN in North Adelaide South Australia. The couple had seven children, Gertrude Blanch born 1872, Samuel Thomas born 1874, Annie Chappell born 1875, Elsie born 1877, Alexander John born 1880, Horance born 1882 & Rebecca.

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My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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Comments

  1. J C Tait says

    Hello there

    I was am in New Zealand and have a kate (Catherine) Coll who died over there in 1932 in Boulder. The undertakers were I. W. Goss. My question is Do the records still survive? If so would you know how I could begin to inquire into getting the record?

    Thanks in advance

    Janine Tait

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