Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 1038.
 
JOHN FRED GOELLER

     who came to Klamath Falls in very early days, is one of the wealthy men of
the county. He has been an active business man here during all the intervening
years and is personally very closely connected with the upbuilding of the
country. He stands at the head of a large manufacturing plant and has shown
himself a man of ability and enterprise. His plant embraces machinery for the
manufacture of lumber, of all kinds of building material and is one of the most
important institutions in the county. It is a large two-story structure located
on the wharf, is provided with the latest and best machinery and is conducted in
a manner that demonstrates Mr. Goeller's ability as a machinist and
manufacturer. He has followed contracting and building in connection with his
manufacturing work and all of the larger buildings of this part of the state,
show his handiwork. A detailed account of Mr. Goeller's life is an important
part of Klamath county's history and with pleasure we append the same.                 
     John F. Goeller was born in Winesburg, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on January
22, 1860. His father, John M. Goeller, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio and his
father, the grandfather of our subject, came from Germany. John M. Goeller was a
butcher and now resides at Beach City, Ohio. He married Barbara Woener, a native
of Ohio, and a descendant from German ancestors. The brothers and sisters of Mr.
Goeller are John, a jeweler in Payette, Idaho; George and William of Pratt
county, Kansas; Charles and Caroline of Beach City, Ohio. Our subject received a
good common school education during the first eighteen years of his life and was
apprenticed to learn the carpenter trade.  While working at that in the day, he
spent his evenings in studying at a business college. At the age of twenty-two,
he went to Nemaha county, Kansas and followed his trade there for eight years.
In 1890, we find Mr. Goeller in San Francisco, later in Santa Rosa, then in
Alameda, following his trade in all these places. Finally in September, 1891, he
landed in Klamath Falls, Oregon and soon purchased a half interest in a planing
mill and door factory, his partner being A. M. Peterman. The firm name was known
as Peterman and Goeller. In the spring of 1892, Mr. Peterman sold his interest
to C. A. Dillon and the firm was known as Goeller and Dillon. Later, C. H.
Witherow bought Mr. Dillon's interest and the firm was known as Goeller and
Witherow. He later sold to O. H. Harshburger and the firm was known as Goeller
and Harshburger. Finally in 1896, Mr. Goeller bought his partner's interest and
since that time has handled the entire business himself. He is now doing a large
business, both in building and in the manufacturing. field and is one of the
leading men of the country. In addition to the property mentioned. Mr. Goeller
owns two and one-half sections of fine timberland, has a quarter section of
agricultural land, has a large number of fine business lots and a beautiful
residence situated in a plot of ground one hundred and sixty by two hundred
feet. The same is beautified by trees and so forth, while the dwelling is one of
the best in the county. It is a ten room structure of modern architectural
design, supplied with all the conveniences of the day. He has the house heated
by a fine furnace, lighted by electricity and acetalene gas and everything
bespeaks a man of ability and culture. Mr. Goeller handles in addition to his
business, a large stock of builders hardware, paints, oils and so forth, and
does a good trade. Politically, he is an influential man and always takes a keen
interest in all the campaigns. He was elected chairman of the Democratic central
committee for the county and has served in the city council. He has always shown
himself a man of progress, public spirited and ready to assist in any line for
the building up of the country.
     On September 1, 1887, at Garden City, Kansas, Mr. Goeller married Miss
Alice Sawyer, who was born near Boyle. Kansas, on January 21, 1868. Her parents
are Cyrus A. and Delia F. (Hull) Sawyer, natives of Kentucky and Ohio,
respectively. The father emigrated to Missouri in early days and at the time of
the Civil War, went to Kansas where he served as a teamster in the army. The
mother came to Kansas with her parents when a girl. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer are now
living at Fairview, Kansas. The other children of the family besides Mrs.
Goeller are: Clara B., deceased; Mrs. Lula Rutherford, deceased; Bertha E., who
has the degree of D. O. and presides in Ashland, Oregon; Cyrus H., Walter M.,
Lawrence I., Daisy M., all in Brown county, Kansas. Mrs. Goeller was well
educated and had prepared herself for school teaching, prior to her marriage. To
our subject and his estimable wife, three children have been born, Harry E.,
Hazel M., and Barbara F.
     Mr. Goeller is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. in Klamath Falls, is past grand,
and was delegate to the grand lodge in Oregon in 1902. He also belongs to the
encampment. He and his wife are members of the Rebekahs, she being past grand of
that order and in 1903 was delegate to the grand, lodge. Mr. Goeller belongs to
me A. 0. U. W. and he and his wife also belong to the order of Washington.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.