JOHN GOETZ. Many a man who is now a prosperous and successful farmer in Illinois began life as did the subject of our sketch, without means in a material sense and with no endowments except those of his own personality. John Goetz was possessed in boyhood of sturdy health, a determination to succeed and indomitable energy, pluck and perseverance. With these he has achieved a success which is an honor to himself and worthy the consideration of the biographer.

Our subject was born in Germany on Christmas day, 1830, and he had his training and education in his native land and there spent his youth and early manhood until he was twenty-three years old. He had heard much of America as a land of freedom and a country where a broader opportunity awaited a young man of enterprise and he resolved to come to this land, and left home and friends in the spring of 1854, landing in New York City and coming directly West. He had learned shoemaking in his native land and in Chicago he spent between three and four years working at this trade.

He finally decided that he preferred country to city life and finding an opening for the employment of his abilities at his trade in Sullivan, Moultrie County, he removed here in the spring of 1858 and was thus employed for about fourteen years. Agricultural pursuits now presented themselves to him as a broader and more promising field of operations, and he purchased a farm on section 34, Marrowbone Township, and removing his family here began its cultivation. Here he has found content and prosperity and now owns five hundred and sixty-seven acres, all in Moultrie County.

It was not until after Mr. Goetz came to Sullivan that he entered into a matrimonial alliance. He was here united with Elizabeth Cratz, who was born in Moultrie County, Ill., and who brought to her husband three children. Two died in infancy and the one who is living is Mary, now the wife of Ammon Davis. After the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Goetz her husband was united in marriage in Marrowbone Township to Mrs. Isabella Daisy, who bore her husband one child, Andon, who died in Marrowbone Township. Mr. Goetz's third wife bore the maiden name of Angie Westfall and her one child was named Perry E.; she also passed from earth in early womanhood and Mr. Goetz then married Eliza Bushart.

Excellent buildings and all the appurtenances necessary for the successful prosecution of farm work have been placed upon Mr. Goetz's farm. He is a member of the Christian Church, and in his political views is in sympathy with no party but is governed in his vote by his own judgment and casts his ballot for the best man for the place. He is public spirited and ever active in the promotion of any movement which looks to the upbuilding of the community either socially or industrially.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 392

Transcription copyright 2003/2007, Moultrie County ILGenWeb/USGenWeb