History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918)

JOHN GOETZ, who is making a success of agricultural work on a good farm on eighty acres in Sections 5 and 6, York Township, his residence being located in Section 6, was born in Germany, April 28, 1876, son of Phillip and Barbara Goetz, his parents being natives of the same place. The father was born Feb. 9, 1844, and his wife March 10, 1847, and they married in Germany about 1869. Phillip Goetz, who was a farmer by occupation, brought his family to the United States in 1887, locating in Jefferson County, Wis., where he resided three years. He then came to Clark County, stopping for awhile at Mr. Spangler's, in York Township. Securing a small piece of land, amounting to about six acres, he established a home for himself and family, subsequently adding forty acres more to his farm, which he cleared. When he started he had two cows, but no team.

He and his wife are still living and are in prosperous circumstances. They are members of the Catholic Church. Their children, all born in Germany, were: Joseph, Barbara, Theresa, deceased, Anna and John. John Goetz first attended school in Germany and afterwards in Jefferson County, Wis., including the parochial school connected with the Catholic Church. On coming to Clark County he worked first in Heine's mill at Heinetown, and while thus engaged saved enough money to enable him to buy a tract of forty acres of land in Section 5, York Township. This land was then wild, but is now cleared, constituting a good farm, with the other forty acres in Section 6, which Mr. Goetz secured later, and on which his residence stands. On this second tract there were about twenty acres cleared when he bought it, and a small house stood on it, that has been remodeled into a good modern farm house. For some time Mr. Goetz lived at home while he cleared up his own land. He has built a barn, 34 by 102 feet in size, furnished with a good basement. He keeps a good grade of stock and is doing a profitable business as a farmer.

Mr. Goetz was married, June 5, 1906, to Margaret Newhouse, who was born in Brown County, Wis., Feb. 20, 1885, daughter of William and Mary (Leonard) Newhouse. Her parents were of German descent, the father being a farmer and mill worker. He and his wife are now living. Margaret was one of five children, the others being Francis, Lizzie, Tillie and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Goetz have two children, Roma and Margaret. The family are members of the Catholic Church.