RIO BLANCO COLORADO - BIO: GOFF, John B. (published 1905) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Brad Goff bggoff@prinetime.net April 22, 1999 *********************************************************************** John B. Goff Posted by Brad Goff on Thu, 22 Apr 1999 Surnames: Goff, Myrick, Ralston, Burns Submitted by Harry B. Goff, great grand nephew of John B. Goff. If you have any information about this family please contact Brad Goff, 605 Rimrock Road Prineville OR 97754, or email Brad. This article was copied from the book "Progressive Men of Western Colorado" published in 1905 by A.W. Bowen & Co. Page 786. John B. Goff A renowned hunter and trapper with a large number of pelts to his credit, a tourists' guide who has led many distinguished parties to extended pleasures and triumphs of sportsmanship, and a ranchman of pronounced enterprise and progressiveness, John B. Goff of Meeker, is one of the best known men in this county. He is a native of Montgomery county, Indiana, born on May 27, 1866, and there educated to a limited extent in the public schools. At the age of fifteen he began to work for himself as a farm hand in Kansas, whither his parents moved in 1868. He remained in that state until 1883, then came to Colorado and located at Meeker, which at that time had but twenty inhabitants, four of whom were women. He located a ranch on Strawberry Creek six Miles west of the village, which he retained two years, improved and sold at a profit. In 1886 he leased a ranch on Mesa which he held for two years, then sold his equipment and cattle there, after which he freighted for two years with a ten horse team for Hughes & Company, between Meeker and Rifle, an occupation which inured him to privation and danger and gave him readiness for any emergency. He next turned his attention to hunting and trapping and became a guide for tourists and hunting parties, having for both pursuits a special fitness acquired in his long and varied experience in western life. In these occupations he is still engaged, and has an outfit for the purpose comprising of horses, pack and saddle animals and twenty five hounds and dogs, and being therefore fully equipped for almost any demand the business may make upon his resources. He has killed personally, and tread for other parties in all, more than three hundred and fifty mountain lions and one hundred bears and has slain every other form of wild animal to be found in Colorado, Wyoming and Mexico. He is thoroughly versed in every phase of woodcraft, and well qualified to take part and up build his reputation in any game country. As a guide he was with President Roosevelt in his five weeks hunting tour of recent date. The ranch he now owns comprises one hundred and sixty acres eight miles west of Meeker, and the water supply is sufficient for cultivation of one hundred and twenty five acres. The crops are those usually produced in the section, hay, grain and vegetables, and are abundant in quantity and excellent in quality. His cattle and his business as a guide are his main resources, however, although the products of the soil furnish a substantial addition to his revenues. In the fraternal life of the community he takes an interest as a member of the Woodsman of the World and in politics as a Republican. In March, 1885 he was married to Miss Mattie Myrick, a native of Iowa, reared in Kansas. They have four children, Laura, Byron, Walter and Earl. Mr. Goff's parents are Byron and Fannie Goff, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of Ohio. The father is a carpenter and worked at his trade in Kansas, in connection with farming. The family moved to Meeker in 1888, and here the parents have since maintained their home. Eight children comprised their offspring, seven of whom are living, Harry, Josiah, John B., Homer, Andrew, Bertha (Mrs. Joseph Ralston), and Celia (Mrs. Jack Burns). The father is a Populist in political allegiance and has been successful in business. Both father and son have lived usefully and creditably and have won the guerdon of their fidelity to duty in the lasting regard of their fellow citizens.