Goben - John L. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

John L. Goben, now serving as Auditor of Montgomery County, Ind, is one of the most genial and agreeable officials that have ever served the citizens of that section.  He was born in Walnut Township, Montgomery County, six miles east of Crawfordsville, may 23, 1844.  He was the son of Rev. Jesse J. and Araminta (Plunkett) Goben, natives of Kentucky, where they were married and from which place they came to Montgomery County, Indiana in 1823, and secured a tract of 80 acres.  Here Jesse Goben resided until 1858, but passed his last years in Crawfordsville, his death occurring March 5, 1887 in his 70th year (see his biography).  He was a Baptist minister and was one of the earliest and most active preachers in the church and this interest and activity continued until his death.  The mother of our subject was born in Kentucky and died in 1884.  John L. Goben is the third son and seventh child of 14 children, fiv of whom are still living.  At the age of 19 he entered Wesley Academy, Montgomery County, where he remained two years and then went to school at Thornton, where he remained for two years longer. At the age of 23, he was married, November 7, 1867 to Miss Mary A. Canine, the only daughter of William Canine (see sketch).  She has two brothers, Thomas and john, farmers in Brown Township.  Mr. Goben continued to carry on a farm in Brown Township, near his father, until 1883.  In 1882 Mr. Goben was elected Trustee for the township for one year.  Resigning this office, in 1883 he was elected County Treasurer with a majority of 76 votes, his opponent being John C. Dwiggin, the incumbent.  After serving two years, he went into the real estate business for one year, and in 1866 was elected Auditor, his opponent being George R. Brown.  He was elected on the Democratic ticket, with 9 majority, but on a recount, called for by Brown, he had a gain of 7, making his ! majority 16.  At this time the county had a Republican majority and he was the only Democrat elected.  In 1890, he was reelected over john C. Wingate with 655 majority.  In 1886 the trials on the contested election of Mr. Goben before the commissioners took place.  Ther were two trials in the Circuit Court before juries, and these were appealed to the Superior Court and ever trial resulted in his favor. The claim was that, at the end of one year as Treaurer, his accounts were short $27,723.12.  He resigned his office, his bondsman were released and new bonds were furnished.  He was reinstated, as per agreement with the County Commissioners, and continued in the office untill the close of the term, refusing a second nomination.  He has always been a prominent figure in politics.  Mr. Goben's real estate business has been a success, and he still owns the farm which he first purchased.  It consists of 250 acres in Coal Creek and Madison Townships, and he also owns a beautiful ! residence, No. 212 So. Grant Avenue.  The family born to Mr. Goben and his wife: William J, Deputy Auditor,w ho took a commercial course at Notre Dame, Indiana; Robert; Frankie, who died at age 10; Clifford; Earl; and Pauline, wife of A. E. Davis of Indianapolis, a member of the Art & Supply Association.  Mr. and Mrs. Goben are members of the Regular Baptist Church.  Mr. Goben affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, DeBaird Lodge, and has passed the chairs.  Pauline, the younges daughter and child, graduated in the class of '91 at St. Mary of the Wood's at Terre Haute, receiving class honors and the gold medal of the class.  She was also given a medal for superior scholarship and is a lady of literary attainments.  Her husband graduated from Wabash in 1891.  Mr. Goben's popularity among his fellow citizens is undiminished, in spite of the cruel aspersions cast upon his character during his term as Treasurer.  No blame was ever attached to Mr. Goben personally, and the only c! riticism which could bejustly made was that in his official position he had permitted himself to be blinded by friendship. Mr. Goben, notwithstanding his trials, has not lost faith in human nature, but his heart is as large and his love for his fellowmen is as great as ever before.  Politically, he is a staunch Democrat.