History of DeWitt County Illinois: with biographical sketches of prominent representative citizens of the county.
Chicago: Pioneer Publishing Co., 1910
GEORGE G. GOBLE. (Volume II, Page 146)
Among the progressive and up-to-date farmers and stock raisers of DeWitt county is numbered George G. Goble, now carrying on operations in DeWitt township, where he owns a valuable tract of two hundred and sixty acres, lying partly on sections 30 and 31. He was born on a farm near Waynesville, Illinois, February 7, 1859, and is a worthy representative of a worthy pioneer family of this state. His father, Isaac Goble, was a native of New Jersey and a son of Jonathan and Rebecca A. (Johnson) Goble, with whom he came to Illinois when a young man, the family settling in Pike county. On the 1st of February, 1849, he married Miss Jane Tozer, a native of New Hampshire and a daughter of Elias and Betsey (Fifield) Tozer, who also settled in Pike county at an early day. On leaving that county Mr. and Mrs. Goble removed to Waynesville, where they made their home for eight years and on selling out there the father purchased eighty acres of land in Nixon township, DeWitt county, in 1864, for which he paid twenty-five dollars per acre. To the cultivation and improvement of that property he devoted his time and energies until 1900, when he removed to Weldon, there passing away in 1907. His wife had died in 1900 and both were laid to rest in the Weldon cemetery.
During his boyhood George G. Goble pursued his studies in the common schools near his home and remained with his father until twenty-four years of age, when he was married on the farm which he now owns and occupies, the wedding ceremony being performed October 30, 1884. His bride was Miss Lillie Nixon, a daughter of William and Margaret (Johnston) Nixon. Her father was born in Ross county, Ohio, and was a son of John and Leander (Southward) Nixon, who were born and reared near Wheeling, West Virginia. Mrs. Goble's mother was born near London, Ohio, and was a daughter of George Johnston. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon were married in Madison county, Ohio, and in 1848 came to DeWitt county, Illinois, and settled in what is now Nixon township, which was named in honor of Mrs. Goble's grandfather, John Nixon, who had come here prior to the time her father made his location. Mrs. Goble was born on the farm where she now resides, January 18, 1863, and the place has continued to be her home, for after her marriage Mr. Goble rented the land and in 1899 purchased eighty acres at sixty-two dollars and fifty cents per acre, while Mr. Nixon gave to them another eighty acre tract. This property is now worth about one hundred and forty dollars per acre and is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Goble uses the latest improved machinery in carrying on his farm work and is up-to-date and progressive in his methods.
There are five children in the family of our subject and his wife. The eldest son, Clyde, received a common-school education and on reaching manhood married Miss Harriet Whitehead, by whom he has one son, Cecil. They make their home in Nixon township. Ada, the oldest daughter, married Roy Smallwood and lives on a farm near Wapella. Roy Clinton, Miriam Jane and Harry Lee are all at home with their parents.
Since casting his first presidential vote for Garfield in 1880, Mr. Goble has always affiliated with the republican party and is well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was elected and served as road commissioner for six years, during which time the Swigart and Glenn bridges were built. In 1906 he was elected supervisor of DeWitt township and filled that office most acceptably for two terms but refused to again become a candidate. During his incumbency he was a member of the committee on roads and bridges and on the poor farm. He is a charter member of Mozark Lodge, No. 96, Knights of Pythias, in which he has filled some minor offices, and in 1910 he and his wife attended the dedication of the Orphans' Home at Decatur. The family is one of prominence in the community where they have so long made their home, and their lives have been such as to merit the high regard in which they are held.