My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM GOALBY, one of the substantial coal dealers of southern Illinois, who is engaged in coal mining in Randolph County and makes his home in Percy, was born in England on the 31st of October, 1881, and is the youngest child of William and Martha (Bend) Goalby. His father was a miner and followed that pursuit in his native land until 1852, when he emigrated to the New World and settled in Belleville, Ill. He operated mines near that place until his death, which occurred in 1874.

Mr. Goalby of this sketch spent the days of his: boyhood and youth in his native land and attended its public schools until fifteen years of age, when he left the school room to begin work in the mines. Since that time he has been connected with coal interests. In 1852 he accompanied his father on the voyage to America, and in connection with him opened a mine in Belleville, Ill. They also sunk the first shaft on the Cairo Short Line Rail road, also at Ogle’s Station, Robert Station, and at many other mines. In 1869 he was foreman of the mines at Murphysboro, Ill., and in 1872 our subject came to the Miller mines, which at that time were controlled by the Missouri Coal Company. He there continued for three years, on the expiration of which period the company became disorganized and Mr. Goalby sunk a shaft at Roseborough, near Sparta, Ill., which is still in operation.

On the expiration of a short period, Mr. Goalby again went to the west, leaving his family at their home in Randolph County. After spending five years in Nevada, he returned to Illinois, in 1883, taking up his residence in Percy, where he began sinking shafts. He has successfully opened and is now operating two mines, one a top vein, and the other a second vein. His mine usually yields fourteen cars of coal per day, and the owner is regarded as one of the substantial coal dealers of southern Illinois.

In 1868 Mr. Goalby was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Dean, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Dean, who were natives of Scotland and came to America in 1849. Unto our subject and his wife were born eleven children, but only five of the number are yet living, viz.: William H., who is engaged with his father in the coal business; Arthur A., who married Carrie Harris and is employed as engineer at the mines; Sarah D., Robert and Thomas, who are still with their parents. The mother of this family is a member of the Baptist Church and is a most estimable lady.

In his political views Mr. Goalby is a Democrat, but has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking, as he prefers to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. Not long since the Barnard Coal Company went into the hands of a receiver and the mine was sold, becoming the property of the firm of Barnard & Goalby. In consequence, our subject is interested in three mines, all of which are doing a good business. The vocation which he has made his life work has proved a profitable one to him, yielding him a good income. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability, and his well directed efforts and good management have justly won him his prosperity.