RIO BLANCO COLORADO - BIO: GOFF, Byron Fisher *********************************************************************** 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 20, 1999 *********************************************************************** Byron Fisher Goff Posted by Brad Goff on Tue, 20 Apr 1999 Surnames: Goff, Daugherty Submitted by Harry B. Goff, great great grandson of Byron and Francis. If you have any information about this family please contact Brad Goff, 605 Rimrock Road Prineville OR 97754, or email Brad. BYRON FISHER GOFF I have been unable to locate any records on Byron, or his family prior to 1850. To date, his obituary gives the best account of his life. Byron's obituary, which was published in the White River Review in Meeker, Colorado on Saturday, July 16, 1910, states that he was born 13 April 1833, in Owens County, Kentucky, and when four years old his parents removed to Indiana. His death certificate says that his fathers name was William, born in Kentucky. Neither his mothers name nor birthplace was on the death certificate, and so far has not been determined. The earliest written record I have found of Byron is on the federal census of 1850. He was living in Clark Township, Montgomery County, Indiana, he was listed as seventeen years old, a wagon maker, and living with the family of Joshua Ridge and his wife Lucetta (maiden name Mahorney). Joshua Ridge operated a wagon and blacksmith shop in the town of Ladoga. Family stories say that Byron was an indentured servant. I believe he was an apprentice to Joshua Ridge, learning to be a wagon maker. On February 21, 1855, Byron married Francis N. Daugherty in Montgomery County, IN. Francis was born 24 November 1834 in Little Glady, Greene County, Ohio. She was the daughter of James and Mary Ann (Cramer) Daugherty. Byron and Francis were married for 55 years and were the parents of eight children. They lived in Montgomery County, Indiana and most likely in the town of Ladoga until 1868. Their first child William Harry was born 28 November 1855 in Ladoga. Census records show that their next four children were also born in Indiana. Bertha A. in 1857, James D. in 1859, and Josiah S. in Jul. 1863. An obituary for their fifth child, John B. says he was born 27 May 1866 in Montgomery County Indiana. A 1864 business directory for Ladoga, Montgomery County, Indiana lists the following: B. F. Goff Pump Maker. James Daugherty dealer in groceries and provisions. (Father of Francis N. Daugherty) J & A.W. Daugherty Millers. (Brothers of Francis N. Daugherty). An article about his son, John B. Goff, which is in the book "Progressive Men of Western Colorado" published by A.W. Bowen & Co. In 1905, page 786 says that in 1868 Byron, Francis and family moved to Kansas, where Byron worked as a carpenter in conjunction with farming. In 1870 the family is listed on the federal census as living in Valley Brook Township, Osage County, Kansas. On 23 March 1870 their sixth child and second daughter Celia M. was born, their seventh child Homer F. was born March 2, 1872. Andrew M. the eighth and youngest child was born in May 1879. The 1880 federal census shows the family still living in Valley Brook Township, Osage County, Kansas, and that children Celia, Homer and Andrew were all born in Kansas. In 1888 Byron and Francis moved to Meeker, Rio Blanco County, Colorado, where three of their children William Harry, Bertha A., and John B. had previously settled. John B. in 1883, Bertha A. and husband Joseph Ralston in 1884 and William Harry with wife Mary in 1884. Byron and Francis lived the remainder of their life in Meeker. The census reports for 1900 and 1910 says that Bryon worked as a carpenter while living in Meeker. An article published in the Meeker Harold on November 2nd 1901, says that Byron ran for County Corner of Rio Blanco County in 1901. In this article he was listed as a democrat and had a post office box of Meeker Colorado. An article in the Meeker Herald, January 13, 1906, reads, B.F. Goff was appointed justice of the peace in justice precinct No. 3, vice J.A. Bihir, resigned. Political office records, recorded at the Rio Blanco County Courthouse in Meeker are as follows: Goff Byron F. 1900 Jan. 9 Filed Official Bond for Coroner Bond No. 5170 Goff Byron F. 1902 Jan. 4 Filed Official Bond for Coroner Bond No. 7200 Goff Byron F. 1906 Jan. 8 Filed Official Bond for Justice of the Peace Bond No. 10587 Land records, recorded at the Rio Blanco County Courthouse in Meeker are as follows: 1902 June 25 Goff B.F. Book 27 Page 96 Lots 5,6,7,8 Block 54 Meeker. The following article was copied from page 201, volume I, of the book "This is What I Remember" published by the Rio Blanco County Historical Society. "Back to Cassidy's at eighth and Market. The house south of that corner was built by Louis Allen, and Charlie Grove built the John Lockhart house on the south side of Water Street. The Goff House was on that corner. The sons were Harry, John, Homer, and Andy, John Goff was a guide for Vice-President Teddy Roosevelt when he was here (Meeker) on his famous hunting trip." Byron Fisher Goff died in Meeker Colorado, Friday July 8, 1910 at the age of 77. He was buried in Highland Cemetery, Meeker Colorado Sunday July 10th, 1910. Byron's burial site is not marked.