James H. Gould, one of the younger members of the legal fraternity in Schenectady, with offices in the Gazette building at No. 332 State street, has proved his right to be classed with the city's able attorneys. He was born in Scotia, Schenectady county, New York, on the 28th of July, 1891, his parents being George B. and Harriett E. (Toll) Gould, natives of the same place. The Toll family has been represented in the Mohawk valley for two hundred and eighty-one years. The first of the name here settled at Scotia in 1643 and owned land extending for miles along the Mohawk river. In the paternal line James H. Gould traces his ancestry back through five or six generations. His father, George B. Gould, who is a broom maker by trade, was for years superintendent of a broom factory at Scotia which is now out of existence.
In his youth James H. Gould attended the grade and high schools of Scotia and subsequently pursued a pre-law course in Union College of Schenectady, from which he was graduated in 1914. He then entered Albany Law School, which is the law department of Union University at Albany, New York, and from which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. as a member of the class of 1915. The following year he joined the National Guard in New York. He saw service on the Mexican border and in June, 1918, was sent overseas for air service. The date of the signing of the armistice found him in an officers' school. Afterward he was connected with the department of criminal investigation until honorably discharged in July, 1919.
Returning to his native town, Mr. Gould was elected police justice in 1920 and is still on the bench in this capacity, making a most commendable record as a capable and impartial jurist. Following his admission to the bar in 1921 he opened an office in Schenectady, where he has remained in practice and has built up a gratifying clientage. He belongs to the Schenectady County Bar Association.
On the 28th of August, 1920, Mr. Gould was united in marriage to Miss Ethel B. Stewart and they have a daughter: Mary Jane, who was born February 5, 1923. The family home is at No. 6 Ten Broeck street. Politically Mr. Gould is a stalwart democrat. He is a member of the American Legion and is also much interested in the Boy Scout movement, being troop commissioner at Scotia. While a student in Union College he joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He is also a Mason, belonging to Beukendaal Lodge, No. 915, F. and A. M.