My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GOIN is well known in this section as the owner of a fine farm in township 47, range 25. By arduous work he has cleared this tract of land and placed it under the best methods of improvement, making it a very productive property.

Mr. Goin is a native of Tennessee and was born in Campbell County, October 31, 1835. He is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Pebley) Goin, both of whom were also born in the above state, where the father was a tanner and shoemaker by trade. He also followed farming to some extent, and was favorably known among the best residents of Campbell County. The maternal grandparents of our subject were John and Mary Pebley, who were born in North Carolina, whence they took up the line of march to Tennessee in an early day in its history, and for the remaining years of their lives followed farming in Campbell County. The grandfather, Isham Goin, was born in Campbell County, and lived in Tennessee his entire life. He was the only son of his parents, who trained him to a life of usefulness and honor, and in following his chosen vocation of an agriculturist was more than ordinarily successful.

The father of our subject was the second-born in a family comprising fourteen children. When old enough to take care of himself, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a tanner, and later became an expert as a shoemaker in Campbell County. Soon after his marriage, however, he moved to Claiborne County, in the same state, and spent the remaining years of his life on a farm of which he was the owner.

The children born to Daniel and Elizabeth Goin were twelve in number. The eldest son, James M., married Sophia Webb, who is now deceased, and he makes his home in Daviess County, Mo. Benjamin F. was the next-born. Harrison died in infancy. Granville married Mary Lake, and departed this life in March, 1893; his widow lives in Daviess County. Bluford married a Miss Bennet, who is now deceased. John married Mary Dean, and they live in Phillips County, this state. William died at Nashville, Tenn., while in the service of his country during the war. Harvey Taylor and two others of the family died in infancy. Sarah became the wife of James McLean, and is now deceased, while her husband makes his home in Tennessee. Mary departed this life while the family were living in Campbell County, Tenn. The children received very fair educations in the subscription schools of their native state, and were well equipped to follow useful careers.

Our subject continued to live with his mother until nineteen years of age, when he established a home of his own. He was married in Claiborne County, Tenn., November 3, 1853, to Miss Mary Lake, who was born June 25, 1833, in Campbell County, that state. She was the daughter of James and Mary (Monday) Lake, by whom she was given every advantage for obtaining a good education.

A few years after his marriage Mr. Goin started for Missouri, arriving here November 3, 1857. They at once located in Phillips County, but only resided there for two years, when they changed their place of residence to Lafayette County, this state. For six years they cultivated a good farm in that county, and in 1866 we find them en route for this county, where our subject had purchased forty acres, now contained in his present farm. He began the work of improving the tract soon after it came into his possession, and besides this property owns twenty acres of timber-land in another portion of the county. He erected the house in which his family now resides in 1857, and although it is not as modern and conveniently arranged as some in the township, yet it is commodious and substantial.

To Mr. and Mrs. Goin there was born a large family, of whom seven are now living. Melvina, born September 11, 1854, lives at home; Mary Ann, born November 7, 1855, married William Brown, and they are now farming in Vernon County, this state; Sarah Elizabeth, whose birth occurred in April, 1859, is the wife of John G. Smith, and lives on section 32, this township; William M., born October 3, 1859, married Miss Mary Gibson, and has made his home with his parents since the death of his wife; Judy Louise, who was born November 24, 1861, is still under the parental roof; Ewen was born February 28, 1865, and died April 28 of that year; Paulina D., born December 16, 1866, departed this life March 30, 1867; Benjamin F., Jr., born October 19, 1867, is living at home; and Ellen S., born January 2, 1869, married Harvey Ross, and resides in Warrensburg Township.

Mr. Goin has been Clerk of his district for the past six years. He always votes the Republican ticket and takes great interest in the success of his party. With his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which denomination he has been connected for a period of forty years. He is a self-made man in every sense of the term, and enjoys the friendship and good-will of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.