Joseph F. Goar, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Etna; was born in Parke Co., Ind. Jan. 8, 1832; he is a son of Clemme and Elizabeth (Hart) Goar; in 1836, his father came to Coles Co. and entered a large amount of Government land, returning for his family in 1837; he built the first steam mill in the county, and was a prominent citizen of Paradise Tp. until 1862, when he removed to Jacksonville, Ill., where he now resides; his mother died in this county in 1855. Joseph F. was raised on the farm, and on the 2d of Oct., 1855, married Miss Mary L. Buckles, of Hardin Co., Ky.; they have three children – Robert C., Kate M. and Sarah E.; Mr. Goar resides on a farm of 220 acres, adjoining the old homestead; he served six years as Constable, and resigned the office in August, 1862, to enter the Union army as a member of Co. D, 123d I. V. I., serving through the war; among the engagements in which he participated may be mentioned the battles of Milton, Tenn., Hoover’s Gap. Chickamauga, Farmington, Peach-Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, battles of Jonesboro and Selma. In 1867 he was elected Commissioner of Highways, and served three years; in 1874, he was chosen Collector of his township, and on the 6th of Nov., 1877, was elected County Treasurer of Coles Co.. which office he now holds.
