BY CHRIS STEELE

Janice Daulbaugh Gouch, a Wadsworth resident, has written and published her memoir, We Called it The Home, this past summer.

Gouch and her three siblings were all born in Wadsworth but were later sent to the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home in Xenia, Ohio due to the illness of her mother and absence of her father. Gouch was five years old and about to begin kindergarten when her story begins and it ends the day she graduated from high school, which was located on the grounds of the home.

Through vignettes, short stories, and pictures, she reveals the story of her 13 year journey in the orphanage. Her stories are told through the eyes of a child, teenager, then young adult. The book attempts to reveal the good and bad experiences she endured during her stay at the home.

“It has always been my dream to tell my story through this memoir,” said Gouch. “Now that I am retired, I’ve finally been able to work on it and leave my legacy behind.” 

She has spent a large portion of the past two years writing, editing, and rewriting her manuscript. Her book, We Called it The Home, was published by Orange Frazer Press in Wilmington, Ohio.

Gouch recently held a book signing in July at the annual reunion of ex-pupils of the Home. She was greatly surprised by the reception her book received from the other former students of the orphanage, or “orphans” as they lovingly refer to each other. 

“I expected the sales to be slim to none,” According to Gouch. “I never thought that my book would be as successful as it has been to this point.” 

Gouch’s book has been gifted to the State Library in Columbus as well as to the Ohioana Library, a library in Columbus for Ohio writers. 

Gouch is also scheduled to appear on 97.1 Wadsworth Community Radio at a later time. The book is now available on Amazon or through the publisher.