GODSMARK, Richard (1822-1905) and Huldah Jane (c. 1818-1899)

Richard Godsmark married widow Huldah J. Lane in 1852 and built up a flourishing farm about seven miles [11 kilometers] north of Battle Creek, in Bedford Township. After becoming Sabbathkeeping Adventists in 1853, the Godsmarks donated generously to a long succession of church projects through the years. According to Uriah Smith, the Godsmark home also became known for its hospitality, “a welcome place to which brethren and sisters, and employees of the Office, would often resort to spend an evening, or … a few hours’ recreation.” In Ellen White's diary there are several mentions of enjoyable short visits to the Godsmarks in Bedford. Both of Richard Godsmark's stepsons, Elbert B. Lane and Sands H. Lane, as well as his son, Otho C. Godsmark, became evangelists and church administrators.1EGWLM 832.2

See: Obituary: “Richard Godsmark,” Review, Feb. 16, 1905, p. 23; U. S. [Uriah Smith], “Another Sad Reminder,” Review, Mar. 28, 1899, p. 208; 1870 U.S. Federal Census, “Peter [sic] Godsmark,” Michigan, Calhoun County, Bedford, p. 21; search term “Godsmark” in Review and Herald online collection, www.adventistarchives.org; Ellen G. White, Ms 5, 1859 (Mar. 23, 24 entries); Lt 6, 1866 (Dec. 8); Ms 16a, 1885 (July 23 entry); Ms 19, 1889 (Mar. 5 entry); Lt 65, 1889 (Mar. 28); Mark Bovee, “Richard Godsmark”; Arthur Whitefield Spalding, Origin and History, vol. 1, p. 277.1EGWLM 832.3