Federalsburg community pillar Edward Everett Goslin, died unexpectedly of Bright’s Disease, the same kidney condition that prematurely took the life of 21st President Chester Arthur, on March 20, 1914. He is undoubtedly worthy of the flattering portrait that hangs in the museum of the Federalsburg Historical Society, where a substantial amount of Goslin family history is documented in its research room.

When considering where to start with this tribute, the most sensible option was to begin with the man’s father. It would seem that the subject learned his sense of commitment to the local community from Edward R. Goslin (1820-1905). The elder gentleman was a leading merchant in the Federalsburg area for many years and was a proponent in organizing the county public schools system. Edward the younger would follow this example by helping to secure funds for the Federalsburg High School that opened in 1915 while also donating some of his own money to assist with startup costs.

Edward E. Goslin was distinctly shrewd when it came to finances. Not only was he the president of the First National Bank in Federalsburg, he also prospered in a number of mercantile pursuits: a prominent lumber dealer and founder of some of the earliest canning factories in town, Goslin additionally owned approximately 300 acres of south county hinterlands over the course of his business career.

Such an active shipper and investor certainly also understood logistics. Goslin advocated lining the local dirt thoroughfares with oyster shells, starting with Liberty Road (Maryland Route 315) before expanding the scope of the project elsewhere; this of course made streets much more dependably passable throughout the year.

With that said, his biggest coup as far as travel was concerned pertained to the bridge and road that passed over Marshyhope Creek around the turn of the century. At this time, Goslin was serving a term in the Maryland State Senate after winning two separate elections to the House of Delegates. As a member of the newly organized State Roads Commission, the local Senator convinced the state to take over maintenance of the road and bridge in 1911. This saved the town of Federalsburg a substantial amount of money on upkeep over the long run.

Goslin always spoke proudly about the people of Caroline County. Here is one quote of his from the evening edition of the Baltimore Sun: “There is as high a type of citizenship, actuated by as high a degree of civic righteousness, in my county as can be found in this State. Our people are not much giving to proclaiming themselves from housetops or exploiting themselves in newspapers, but are alert and observant and keep in touch with such current issues as arise for determination, and when left to their own devices can always be absolutely relied upon to do the right thing at the right time.” Apparently not much has changed in Caroline over the past 100-plus years.

The editor of the Baltimore Sun, in reflecting on Goslin upon his sudden death in 1914, was equally complimentary: “In Senator Goslin, of Caroline County, the Roads Commission and the State have lost a type of man who was better than brilliant – the man who has the faculty of making himself useful every day in the year, who helps, in a quiet way to do the work of the world. Senator Goslin took the trouble to make himself master of whatever he was called on to do, took pride in doing well the things that fell to his lot. He gave to the public service the best that was in him, not grudgingly or reluctantly, but with all his heart. He had the spirit that the public welcomes and crowns with commendation whenever it is exhibited by its servants.”
That Edward Everett Goslin was held in such high regard by a Baltimore paper speaks volumes about his reputation and efficacy throughout the state. He is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery in Federalsburg.