From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 888-889
 
JOHN GOELZER.  Another of the sterling German citizens who came to Walworth 
county and benefited both themselves and the community was the late John 
GOELZER, of Sharon, a man who would have no doubt succeeded in any land and 
clime, for he had all the thrift, persistency and honesty of purpose of which 
his race is characteristic.
 
Mr. GOELZER was born in Germany on September 10, 1843.  He was the son of John 
and Elizabeth (SCHMIDT) GOELZER, natives of Germany, where they grew up and 
were married, in fact spent their lives, never coming to the United States.  
They spent their lives on a farm and are now both deceased, dying in 1856.  
They were the parents of seven children, namely: Jacob, Jacobina, and John, of 
this sketch, being the only ones to come to this country, who are now living; 
only one other, Sophia, came and she died in Los Angeles.  The others were 
Ludwig, Fred, Louisa, who never came to this country. 
 
John of this review grew up in Germany and received his education in the 
public schools there, coming to the United States in June 1862, first settling 
in Peoria, Illinois, where he followed his trade as a blacksmith, which he had 
learned in the fatherland.  Remaining in Peoria until 1865, he went to the 
state of New York, continuing his trade until 1867, then came to Darien, 
Wisconsin, and lived there until 1869 when he moved to the town of Sharon, 
where he lived until 1908, when he retired from business.  He died January 5, 
1912.
 
Mr. GOELZER was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of 
Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  He belonged to the 
reformed Lutheran church and in politics was a Democrat.  He had been a member 
of the local election board for several years.
 
Mr. GOELZER was married on December 10, 1868, to Jacobina HOCK, daughter of 
Fred and Jacobina HOCK, natives of Germany, the father dying when the 
subject's wife was two years old.  Later the mother came to the United States.
 
To the subject and wife seven children were born, namely: Fred lives in this 
county; Louis is farming on the state line; Charles is in the hardware 
business in Sharon; William also lives at Sharon and succeeded his father; the 
next child died in infancy; Paulina is deceased; Elizabeth is attending the 
normal school in Milwaukee.
 
Submitted by Carol