Almeda "Alma" McClure

Almeda "Alma" McClure was born about 1857/58, near Quitman, in Benton Township of Conway County, Arkansas.  She was the daughter of Stephen McClure and Louisa Chandler Goff.  In some census records she is listed as Almeda and in some as Alma. 

The 1860 Conway County census, Benton Township, Quitman Post Office shows Stephen and Louisa with Rachael, age 27; Malissa, age 24; Matilda, age 22; Stephen, age 19; Orsen, age 15 and Alma, age 2.  Living with the family were four of Louise's children from her previous marriage.

The 1870 Conway County census, Benton Township, Quitman Post Office lists her as Almeda, age 15. Stephen is shown to be 72 and Louisa, who is listed as Elizabeth, is 53. Two of Louise's children are also listed on the census.

Alma's father died in May or June, 1873 and we believe Alma's mother died prior to 1880.

 Alma appears on the 1880 Van Buren County, Arkansas, census in Cadron Township, living with her half-sister, Matilda McClure Bennett and her family. Alma is listed on the census as Alma Baley, age 23, widowed or divorced. We know nothing about this marriage and have been unable to find a marriage record.

Alma married George W. Goff on March 27, 1883, in Van Buren County. The marriage is recorded in Book 3, page 340.

George W. Goff was born March 1857 in Arkansas, according to census records. He was the son of William Francis Goff and Sarah M. Edwards.

William Francis Goff was born December 1827, in Kentucky, the son of Samuel Goff (born 1797) and Mary A. "Polly" Ritch (born about 1801). William Francis married Sarah M. Edwards about 1848, probably in Van Buren County, Arkansas. Sarah was born about 1828, in South Carolina according to census.   William Francis and Sarah Goff's children included: Samuel E. Goff (1849), Thomas E. Goff (1853), John H. Goff (1854), George W. Goff (1857) and Mary Ann P. Goff (1859).

We know absolutely nothing about George and Alma's life together. We believe they had a daughter, Frances A. Goff, born in February 1884. We also believe that Alma McClure Goff died prior to 1890.

George W. Goff married Nancy Jane Duncan on January 4, 1891, in Cleburne County, Arkansas. The marriage is recorded in Book 2, page 90. Nancy Jane was the daughter of Crittenden L. Duncan and Amanda Chandler. (George's father William Francis Goff married the widow Mrs. Amanda Duncan in 1888, in Cleburne County after the death of his first wife.) Amanda Chandler was a sister to Alma's mother, Louisa Chandler Goff McClure.

The 1900 Independence County, Arkansas, census, Ruddell Township, City of Batesville, shows George W. Goff, born March 1857, age 43 years, married 17 years, born in Arkansas, father and mother both born in Kentucky, locked up as a prisoner in the city jail.

  The 1900 Cleburne County census, Valley Township, page 217 B shows Nancy J. Goff, head of household, 46, born February 1854, widowed, had given birth to 3 children, 3 children were still living, born in Arkansas, both parents born in Kentucky; Evie E., daughter, 9, born September 1890, in Arkansas, both parents born in Arkansas; James W., son, 6, born November 1893, in Arkansas, both parents born in Arkansas and Francis A., daughter, 16, born February 1884, in Arkansas, both parents born in Arkansas. We are unsure why Nancy is listed as widowed.

  The 1910 Cleburne County census, Valley Township, page 39B shows, G. W. Goff, head of household, 51, married 2 times, married 20 years, a farmer, owned his farm free of mortgage, born in Arkansas, both parents born in Kentucky and Nancy J., wife, 51, married 2 times, married 20 years, had given birth to 6 children, 2 children still living, born in Arkansas, both parents born in Kentucky.

  Living next door was their son James W. Goff, head of household, 16, married 1 time, married 1 year, a farmer, rented his farm; Ida wife, 18, married 1 time, married 1 year, had given birth to 1 child, 1 child still living, born in Arkansas, both parents born in Arkansas and Leavy, daughter, 8 months old, born in Arkansas, both parents born in Arkansas.

  The 1920 Cleburne County census, Valley Township, page 195 shows George W. Goff, head of household, 61, a farmer, owned his farm free of mortgage; Nancy, wife, 62; Ida B., daughter-in-law, 27, widowed, born in Arkansas, father born in United States, mother born in Arkansas; Levi, granddaughter, 10, born in Arkansas; Agnus, granddaughter, 7, born in Arkansas and Robert, grandson, 1 year 6 months old, born in Arkansas.

  George W. Goff appears alone on the 1930 Cleburne County census, still living in Valley Township. He is listed as 72 years old and divorced.

Child of George W. Goff and Alma McClure

Children of George W. Goff and Nancy Jane Duncan