Goforth Cemetery

Goforth Cemetery. . In the late 1850s rancher, farmer, veteran and community leader John L Goforth (1827-1901), his wife, Annie (Tiller) Goforth (dates unknown), and their children were among the first settlers on Bear Creek. John Goforth set high standards for ranching and was known for his quality herds, shipping hundreds of cattle every year to markets. After serving in the Civil War, John acquired considerable acreage near the Parker-Tarrant County line and succeeded in ranching and farming, including stock raising and wheat. He also served as a school trustee and justice of the peace for many years., John and Annie had seven children; however, four of them died young. Their first son, John Lytle, Jr., died in 1862 while John was serving in the Civil War; he was buried in the Chadwick Family Cemetery (also known as Goforth Graves, 3 mi. SW on South Bear Creek in Parker County). The first marked burial in the Goforth Cemetery was of John and Annie's daughter, Mattie Bell Goforth (1858-1880), at the age of 22. Also interred in the family graveyard is John and Annie's granddaughter, Mattie A. Booz (1886-1888), daughter of Josie (Joanna) Goforth and John Henry Booz. A year later, John and Annie's son, Charles (Chas) Goforth (1866-1889) was buried here. The last marked gravesite is that of John Goforth, set to rest beside his family. The Goforth Cemetery and surrounding property was purchased by John Goforth from Mahalda Bonner under a condition that she be buried there. Although there are no records of her death or burial, there is evidence of unmarked graves at the cemetery, including Annie Goforth's burial next to John. Goforth descendants still live in the area and on the original family land. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2018.