Mathias Goetz

GOETZ, LEHMANN, RAPP, GOEPFERT, REICHWEIN, KEIL

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/24/2011 at 14:51:33

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910. Biographical Sketches

MATHIAS GOETZ.

Among the enterprising and progressive farmers of Jackson county must be numbered the Goetz brothers, John and Gottfried, who are carrying on the excellent work begun by their father, Mathias Goetz, and by reason of their energy, perseverance and reliability, are winning a prosperity that entitles them to be numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of Bellevue township. Two large tracts pay tribute to their earnest labor, and they also own an island of sixty-five acres in the Mississippi river.

Mathias Goetz was one of the sons of the fatherland, who coming to this country in search of opportunities, pushed his way steadily to the front, his record being a credit to both the land of his birth and that of his adoption. He was born in Baden, Germany, December 27, 1826, one of a family of ten children, three of whom came to America, namely: Andy, who is now deceased; Bartlet, also deceased; and Anna, who is the wife of Gotleib Lehmann, of Merrill, Iowa. As the eldest son he learned his father's trade, that of a miller, which he followed until he was eighteen, when he decided to emigrate to America. On crossing the Atlantic in 1854, he came direct to Bellevue, Jackson county, Iowa. Later he rented a mill on Spruce creek, Tete des Morts township, which he operated for five years, then bought one in Richland township, which he sold two and a half years later, and again rented the first mentioned, which he conducted profitably until 1868, when he turned his attention to farming. For two years he farmed in Tete des Morts township and then in 1870 came to the place in Bellevue township that his sons now hold, which he had purchased in 1866. It is a tract of two hundred acres, comprising the southwest quarter of section 32, Bellevue township, and forty acres in Washington township, the home being in the former. He prepared the soil for cultivation and put up all the good buildings now to be seen, so that his was one of the well improved farms of the township, and the substantial income he derived from his labors brought him recognition as one of the prosperous men of his community. It remained his home throughout his life and there his death occurred June 5, 1899. In 1856 Mr. Goetz was married to Miss Christina Rapp, who was born in Baden, Germany, May 12, 1828, and came to this county in 1856, accompanied by her widowed mother and half-brother, Jacob. For almost forty years the couple traversed the highroad of life together, their companionship being broken by the death of Mrs. Goetz, which occurred July 30, 1894. Twelve children were born to them, as follows: Christina, the deceased wife of John Goepfert; Lena, who passed away at the age of five years; John, who operates the home place in conjunction with his brother; Mathias, who died November 23, 1893; Frederick, a farmer of Bellevue township; Jacob, who is also engaged in agriculture in this township; Wilhelmina, the deceased wife of Henry Reichwein; Charlotte, who is at home; Catherine, the wife of Henry Keil. of Bellevue township; Gottfried, who assists in operating the home place; George, who died at the age of one year; and Matilda, who is at home. Mr. Goetz was a member of the Lutheran church, in which faith he reared his family, and his life was always in perfect harmony with its teachings—helpful, upright and honorable.

John and Gottfried Goetz, who, as the Goetz brothers, operate the home place, are also deserving a place among the enterprising farmers of Bellevue township, for in addition to the land they inherited from their father they own two hundred and twenty-three acres on section 29, Bellevue township, and an island in the river, also within the jurisdiction of this township, comprising sixty-five acres. While the extent of their property is a most telling evidence of the ability with which they have managed their affairs, a further indication of their progressive spirit and their determination to let no opportunity pass by unheeded is found in the fact that they own and run a threshing machine and operate a sawmill, both having considerable skill in handling machinery of all kinds. They devote their energies for the most part to stock raising and feeding, the character of their land making that business more practicable than agriculture, and they have found it a profitable investment for their thought and labor.

In politics John Goetz affiliates with the democratic party and Gottfried with the republican, while both are consistent members of the Lutheran church. In the township where their entire lives have been spent, both are known as young men of sterling integrity and strong character, whose salient traits are such as have won them not only material prosperity but also the unqualified regard and esteem of an extensive circle of friends.