Fred Wahl Goetzman

GOETZMAN

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/10/2010 at 10:47:27

One of he well to do farmers of Dodge township is Fred Wahl Goetzman, living in section 35, where he owns and cultivates 80 aces of good land. Boone county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred here on September 5, 1866. His parents were Henry and Harriet (Lamb) Goetzman. The father came with his parents form Germany to Ohio in 1853, and the family made their way at once t Iowa, establishing their home in Des Moines township Boone county, where Henry Goetzman, after attaining his majority, made arrangements for having a home of his own through his marriage to Miss Harriet Lamb, a native of Ohio. He secured a farm on which they began their domestic life, and for many years he was closely associated with agricultural interests, devoting his attention to the work of the farm until 1904, when his death ended his labors. His widow survives and is now living in Boone.
Fred W Goetzman acquired a common school education, and his youthful experiences were those which usually fall to the lot of the farm lad. He worked in the fields through the summer months and when he started out in life on his own account he continued in the same pursuit. He is today the owner of a good farm of 80 acres situated on section 35, Dodge township. In addition to producing the crops best adapted to climatic conditions he makes a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle and thus adds materially to his income. A glance at his place shows that he is a progressive, practical farmer and that he deeps up with the times is indicated by the fact that he is the owner of an automobile.
On September 20, 1893, Mr Goetzman was married to Miss Luella Merkel, a daughter of Conrad and Margaret Merkel, who came from Ohio to Iowa and cast in their lot with the settlers of Des Moines township, where the father followed farming throughout his remaining days. Unto Mr and Mrs Goetzman have been born two children, Frederick Earl and Harriet Margaret. Mr Goetzman gives his political support to the democratic party and has served for two terms as school director. He is not a member of any church but attempts to follow the Golden Rule and his friends attest the fact that he is the possessor of many sterling traits of character.

1914 Boone County History Book