Fourteenth Generation

46. William Peck GOFF was born on 19 February 1819 in Savoy, Berkshire County, MA.^4,7,32

(The following was copied from a composition book in the possession of Alice A. Belden Busker, Feb. 10, 1992)

"Autobiography of Wm. P. Goff as written by himself"
"Winchester, Feb. 29 - 91"
"A partial record of my life... I was born Feb. 19, 1819 in the town of Savoy Berkshire Co. Mass. Between the 13 & 14 years I gave my heart to the savior and united with the Baptist Church in said town where I remained until I was past 16 years old, when I left home to work on a farm and continued until near 20 years old, when I went to West Troy (NY) which was my stopping place until the spring of 43. Then moved to Saratoga Springs.

In 1844 I was married to Lovisa Whitman of North Adams, Berkshire Co. Mass. In 1845 we moved to Yorkville, Racine Co. Wis. In 1846 our oldest son was born and now lives in the Village of Honey Creek Wis. Next followed a daughter who was born in May 1848 but left us Sept. 7th 1849. In April 14 1850 God gave us another daughter but took her from us March 14 1855. Then on Feb. 14 1859 after sickness from Nov. 26, 1858 she (wife Lovisa) passed over the dark river but was not afraid"

"I see that I passed over our youngest son R. W. Goff who was born to July 27 1853 who thank God is still with me. In March 6 1860 I was married to Jane Lytle and was permitted to spend many happy years with, but in June 15 1886 the grim monster entered my dwelling and took her away. I forgot to mention that I and my first wife united with the Baptist Church in Yorkville Wis. Remained such until the Church was broken up by removals and death after which did not again unite with any other church organization until the organization of the first Baptist Church at Winchester Kan. Nothing further to add until I go to join my loved ones where there is no sick and no tears to wipe away and there hope to join all my loved ones never more to part. W. P. Goff"

"In looking over what I have written I see that I said nothing about my last wife's religion. She was brought up a strict Presbyterian and was a Christian of one of the best and the best step-mother that I ever knew as both of my children will testify."

(The following is also from the same book.) Copy of message written by W. P. Goff previous to his death October 20th 1894.
"To my Children. Look this book through. Should it please God to Call me hence soon I want the following requests carried out as soon as convenient. First I think the sale at auction would be in order of all my personal effects including the stock of Hardware, and the money raised to pay off some small debts as follows: Blacksmith bills to McDermott, Talcot and French. Also I owe the Independent of Oskaloosa, but how much I don't know. Then I owe Julia three dollars and thirty cents June 1 94. Perhaps I shall live to settle some of these accounts but it looks dark to me at present.

There is something back on the place yet, somewhere from sixty to seventy dollars, which will depend upon what interest Mr. Genular will except. I had two hundred dollars of him and have paid one hundredd and ninety seven dollars. The amount of each payment with I will record in this book and my check books will show the same except two dollars for one End Gate. There will perhaps be some thing that you may want to keep, for instance one of you should have the Family Record which is also kept in both of my large Bibles. One for each of you.

Of course the old one on top of the Wardrobe is the worst for wear but can be rebound with but small expense. I have a Tax Receipt on the place which will entitle me to a county deed next September and I will fix that so you can get the deed should I not be here. The key to your Mother's trunk is in the stand drawer in a box with her pocket book which I would like to have sent to MARY MARSLAND LITTLE DAUGHTER JANE WHICH MOTHER NAMED BEFORE SHE WAS BORN. Perhaps her trunk and contents had better go to James's
folks. The key that unlocks the stand is the bureau key.

I think there is enough personal to pay up every thing and something left unless I should have a large Dr. bill which I shan't if I can help it. I think the money I got of Mr. Genceler was in June 1889, you can find out at the bank. I don't know that exact date. You may have to go to the bank or Jno. Reynolds to get the date that I had the Money of Mr. Genceler. I expect that he will be honest in this matter.

I will place my Biography in this book which was written out months ago. It is now in the Bible. One of my check books is in the center drawer of the bureau one is in one of the drawers up at the stove. The Property should, with all the land and fruit, rent for seventy five or eighty dollars monthly in advance but the house wants some repairs as soon as a time can be made. Use the rest money for taxes and repairs as wanted but above all prepare for a change that awaits all and may we all finally gather together in the house of
the Blessed is my daily Prayer.

Commence on page 12 and look over or forward. There is some bed clothes in the old organ box in the smoke house but in what condition I don't know. There is a blue & white quilt that was your own Mother's and a large one that was your Step-Mother's and if your Boy wants them keep them and not sell them. In your Mother's trunk is her shawl and I think some underclothes which should go with the trunk. I believe there is some of her clothes still in one of the drawers. Perhaps the books and book case will sell for something but separate.

The large album is Romanzo's as also the Large Looking Glass. Then there is the picture of North Adams and of Burlington. Perhaps you children would like to keep them. If so don't offer them for sale. Then there is the Mowing Picture where two girls are recorded. Keep that, give that to James as he knew both the girls."

.

He appeared in the census in 1830 in Savoy, Berkshire County, MA.⁴ He appeared in the census in 1850 in YorkvilleTownship, Racine County, WI.^7,19 William appeared in the census in 1860 in YorkvilleTownship, Racine County, WI.³³ He appeared in the census in 1880 in Burlington, Racine County, WI.⁷ His occupation was listed as "Implement Dealer." He died on 20 October 1894 at the age of 75 in Winchester, Jefferson County, KS.^4,7,34

Obituary Notes: "William P. Goff died of Bright's disease at Winchester, Kansas, Saturday morning, Oct. 20, 1894, at 5:00 o'clock, aged 75 years, 8 months and 1 day. The deceased was a native of Massachusetts. He was born at Savoy, Berkshire County, Feb. 19, 1819, and was a resident of that town until twenty years of age, when he moved to West Troy, N.Y. He married Lovisa Whitman of North Adams, Mass., in 1844 and moved to Yorkville,Wis., in 1845, where he engaged in farming. Here he buried two daughters and his wife.

In the spring of 1860 he again married, Jane Lytle, of Mt. Pleasant, Wis., and soon after moved to Burlington, Wis., where he engaged in the sale of agricultural implements until the summer of 1880 when he moved to Winchester, Jefferson County, Kansas, where he remained in business until his death. Here he buried his second wife in June, 1886.

He became a Christian at the age of fourteen and united with the Baptist church at Savoy, Mass.; afterward with the Baptist church at Yorkville, Wis., and when the Baptist church of Winchester, Kansas was organized, became an active member of that organization and remained so until death.

He was known as an active business man, conscientious and upright in all his dealings and a fervent follower of his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ."
William was buried in YorkvilleTownship, Racine County, WI.⁴ in the Yorktown Township Cemetery.

William Peck GOFF and Lovisa WHITMAN were married on 29 May 1844 in North Adams, Berkshire County, MA.⁷ Lovisa WHITMAN was born on 9 October 1820 in Windsor, Berkshire County, MA.⁷ She appeared in the census in 1850 in YorkvilleTownship, Racine County, WI.^7,19 She died on 7 February 1859 at the age of 38 in YorkvilleTownship, Racine County, WI.⁷

William Peck GOFF and Lovisa WHITMAN had the following children:

William Peck GOFF and Jane LYTLE were married on 6 March 1860 in Racine, Racine County, WI.^4,7 Jane LYTLE was born on 11 November 1824 in Salem, Washington County, NY.⁷ She appeared in the census in 1860 in YorkvilleTownship, Racine County, WI.³³ She appeared in the census in 1880 in Burlington, Racine County, WI.²⁰ Jane died on 15 June 1886 at the age of 61 in Burlington, Racine County, WI.^4,7 (She may have died in Winchester, Jefferson County, KS.)