The Irish standard., 1908-11-21
JOHN B. GOFF.
Gallant lrishman Who Died at Janes.
vile, Minn.

vile, Mnn.
The life story of John B. Goff. for
n'erly of Minneapolis, who died week
hefore last at Jancsvillc, Mimi, reads
like chapter from romance In MIR.
Goff Minnesota had an Irish American
adventurer whose career was that of
a soldier of fortune from 1S43, when
lie was IA years old, until the close of
the Civil War. Soldier in the United
States army, sailor IN the navy, active
participant in three Central American
revolutions. veteran of the Civil War
and scout for the union army, his ca
reer of adventure had it's last chap
. ter when. as a member of southern
Minnesota posse, he participated in the
gunflght which resulted in the arrest of
the Younger boys after their daring
raid at Northfield.
] John E. Goff waa born in Belfast.
Ireland, April 23, 1929. With his par
ents he came to America when lie was
Il years old and settled near Hartford,
Conn. His low" for adventure asserted
itself in 1S43 when he ran away from,
home and went to sea in a merchant
man. He was stbr"c years before the
mast and then enlisted in the United
States navy.
AS a sailor II" visited practically
every country on the globe. When his
term of enlistment expired he went to
Venezuela. where he participated in
the Venezuelan revolution. Mr. Goff
seemed to havc.a particular fondness
for revolutions and in Central America.
At this time he fought in three distinct
rebellions. Returning to America he
assumed charge of wagon train bound
from st. Louis TO California. This was
In 1855 and. although the wagon train
was repeatedly attacked by Indians
Mr.. Goff saw his convoy safe through
to San Francisco. In San Francisco
John B. Goff enlisted in the United
States army but so soon as his enlist
ment expired lie again enlisted in the
navy.
Discharged from the navy in New
York on the day Fort Sumter was fired
upon. John B. Golf hastened to a re-
oruiting Office and enrolled as mem
her of the Sixty-ninth New York in
fantry, commanded by Colonel Cor
coran and part IF Meagher's famous
hrip16n n hn <>f
Fredericksburg. John b. Goff partici-
pated in every engagement with his
regiment. At Fredericksburg, i'm tho
last charge OF the Irish brigade, ho
was badly wounded by piece of shell
which tore his arm from wrist to ell
bow
He received two other wounds and
was honorahly discharged from the
service for physical disability. At his
own request he was detailed for spe-
cial service in Missouri and Arkansas,
where he had hand in breaking
Quantrell's guerillas, band Of which
the Younger boys were members. La
ter he was to face the Younger boys
under different circumstances
At the close of the war Mr.. Goff
came to Minnesota. In 1866 he mar
ried Miss Margaret Joyce, At Faribault.
He then came to Hennepin county, but
moved soon after to waseca county
1r 1877. when posses traced the Youn-
ger boys to Madelia. Mr.. Goff should
cred gun and took part in the fight
which resulted in the capture Of the
outlaws. During the latter years of his
life Mr.. Goff divided his time between
GAINESVILLE. Minn.. and Minneapolis.
Mr.. Goff was a man of great strength
and the four sons who survive him are
men of unusual physique They are
Ed B. Goff, deputy clerk in the Office
OF the clerk of the district court: EN-
nett B. Goff, municipal court officer:
and Frank and Arthur Goff. A daugh-
Minneapolis.
To his war time comrades John B.
Goff was known as Cast Iron Jack"
: Although he had served under other
| flags. he never forfeited the American
citizenship which was his proudest
asset.
| PROBATE NOTICE.
STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF
HENNEPIN. IN PROBATE COURT.
In the Matter Of the Estate of Oliver
| N. Roberts, Decedent.
| On receiving and filing the petition of
Mary Drew Roberts. praying for the al
| lowance of an instrument purportns to
! he the last will and testament of said
| decedent and nresented fherewith "a