GOLTRA, JUDSON A., retired merchant living in Jacksonville, Ill., was born in Jacksonville May 13, 1843, the son of John W. and Mary A. (Becraft) Goltra. (A sketch of his father's life will be found preceding in this volume.) After attending the public schools of Jacksonville, he engaged in business as a clerk in his father's hat store, and following the death of his father, continued to operate the establishment until 1895 with Charles Goltra as a partner. In the last mentioned year he disposed of his establishment to J. V. Read, who, in 1900, sold out to the firm of Byrns & Goltra, consisting of Frank Byrns and Walter W. Goltra, a son of Judson A. The latter retired from the firm in 1902, since which time the business has been conducted by Mr. Byrns.

Mr. Goltra has always been an active Republican, but has never sought political office. He was a charter member of Jacksonville Lodge., No. 152, K. of P., but is not now identified with the order. On May 21, 1867, he married Elizabeth E. Weller, who was born in Canton, Mo., October 6, 1842, a daughter of Jesse Weller, who removed to Jacksonville for the purpose of educating his children in the Athenaeum. Her death occurred February 20, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Goltra became the parents of the following named children: Albert E., deceased; Thomas A., deceased; Walter W.; Jessie A., wife of Percy Stone of Springfield, Ill.; Emma E. and Roy, residing at home.