John Goller facts for kids

John Goller (born July 7, 1825 – died July 7, 1874) was an important American pioneer. He was the very first blacksmith in Los Angeles, California. John Goller owned a business that made things from metal and built carriages. He also helped run the city of Los Angeles and started its first gas company.

Early Life

John Goller was born in Bavaria on July 7, 1825. He grew up in a town where many people worked as miners in St. Louis, Missouri. Later, his family moved to Illinois.

A Journey West

In 1849, John Goller joined other California Gold Rush pioneers. They left Galesburg, Illinois, on April 5. Their journey took them through Missouri to Salt Lake City.

From Salt Lake City, they traveled on the Southern Emigrant Trail. They faced a very tough journey through Death Valley. Sometimes, they had no water at all. Two young children, aged four and seven, were also part of this group. Eventually, they reached the Santa Clarita Valley. There, people welcomed them with food and shelter.

Los Angeles' First Blacksmith

When John Goller arrived in Los Angeles, a man named Louis Wilhart helped him. Wilhart gave Goller tools for blacksmithing. He also sent customers to him. This made John Goller the first blacksmith in Los Angeles.

His very first job was to make an awning. He earned five hundred dollars for this work. He also built an American-style wagon. People in Los Angeles were curious about it but preferred their traditional carretas (carts pulled by oxen).

John Goller also made shoes. He was very resourceful, sometimes using old metal tires found on the plains to make them. He was also one of the first people in Los Angeles to own a team of fast trotters (horses used for racing).

Helping the City Grow

In 1867, John Goller helped start the first gas company in Los Angeles. He worked with James Hagan, W.H. Perry, Wallace Woodworth, and George J. Clark. At that time, about 5,000 people lived in Los Angeles.

This new company made gas from many different things. They used tar, grape pumice (what's left after pressing grapes), wood, and coal. Later, they used coal brought all the way from Australia.

Goller also worked in the shipping business in San Pedro, Los Angeles. He later sold this business to J.M. Griffith, who worked with lumber.

City Leader

John Goller was a member of the Los Angeles Common Council. This council was the main governing body of Los Angeles. He served on the council from 1862 to 1863. He served again from 1865 to 1866. In 1850, Los Angeles had about 1,610 people. By 1860, the population had grown to 4,385.

Today, John Goller is remembered by Goller Canyon. This canyon is in the southern part of the Panamint Range. It provides a path from the Panamint Valley into Death Valley.

Family Life

John Goller passed away on July 7, 1874. He was 49 years old. His wife had died before him. He was survived by his three daughters. One of his daughters, Christine, was born in 1863. She married George Stephenson in 1886.