Unearthing Another Unknown Eastland Rescuer: A Journey Through Family Genealogies
Arthur W. Goeller. 1887-1947. Family photo. Design ©2024 by Natalie Zett
As I continue digging into the history of the Eastland Disaster, more untold stories—far too many untold stories—keep rising to the surface. I can’t even call them “hidden,” since much of the time they’re right in plain sight.
While researching family genealogies on FamilySearch.org, I uncovered the remarkable story of Arthur W. Goeller—an Eastland Disaster survivor and, even more impressively, a rescuer.
Arthur’s story, shared by his daughter-in-law, Melva Dean Goeller, details his brave actions during the Eastland’s tragic capsizing. Born in Newark, NJ in 1887, Arthur was a longtime Western Electric employee and a Telephone Pioneer. On July 24, 1915, he boarded the Eastland with 2,500 others for a company outing. When the ship suddenly rolled over into the Chicago River, Arthur found himself in 10 to 12 feet of water, surrounded by chaos.
What sets Arthur apart is not just that he survived, but that he continuously risked his own life to help save others. A powerful swimmer, Arthur repeatedly helped people reach ropes and boats until exhaustion overtook him. His actions undoubtedly saved lives, yet until now, his bravery has been largely forgotten—hidden away in a family’s personal narrative.
Arthur Goeller died in 1947, but his story is a reminder that history is more than just the events themselves; it is also about the individuals whose lives were forever altered by them. Thanks to this genealogy, Arthur’s heroism is no longer just a footnote in his family’s history—it’s part of the Eastland’s legacy.
The Power of Citizen Researchers
What strikes me most is how these incredible stories often come to light not through established organizations with vast resources, but through the hard work of everyday people—citizen genealogists, scientists, historians, and others. Think of the folks who work to solve cold cases, or those who contribute to Find A Grave and have done such an excellent job creating bios for those who died on the Eastland.
And this isn’t anything new—take Mary Anning (1799–1847), an English fossil collector and self-taught paleontologist. She is often credited with discovering the first complete Ichthyosaurus skeleton and the first Plesiosaurus skeleton, contributing significantly to the understanding of prehistoric life. Despite having little formal education, her work laid the foundation for future paleontological research.
And how about Beatrix Potter (1866–1943)? Yes, that Beatrix Potter! Famous for her children’s books, Beatrix Potter was also an amateur mycologist (studying fungi). She made important early observations on spore germination in fungi and even submitted a scientific paper to the Linnean Society, though it was rejected due to her gender. Her contributions to mycology were later recognized after her death.
But all is not to downplay the institutions that operate with integrity and dedication. There are so many and we need them! In my years as a journalist, I’ve worked with many, and their efforts are invaluable.
It’s a reminder that all of us have a part to play in caring for history.
We Deans by Glen C. Dean
Dean, Glen C. We Deans. Family Trees and Towers, 1981. Accessed via FamilySearch.org.
Preface
Dean, Glen C. We Deans. Family Trees and Towers, 1981. Accessed via FamilySearch.org.
“Arthur Goeller: Eastland Survivor and Heroic Rescuer” by Melva Dean Goeller
Dean, Glen C. We Deans. Family Trees and Towers, 1981. Accessed via FamilySearch.org.
“Arthur Goeller: Eastland Survivor and Heroic Rescuer” by Melva Dean Goeller (TRANSCRIPT)
THE GOELLER FAMILY
Page five
Throughout the years, Art continued working for the Western Electric Company and acquired many years of service. He also became a very good electrician, and wired many of the new homes in our neighborhood. He also wired “Inwood” and built practically all of the house himself, outside of block laying and the plumbing, which had to be done by a licensed plumber. He also added on a jalousied porch. We lived in a large oak woods and he had some of these felled by some woodsmen who then made them into rough boards. Art built a large workshop which housed all his tools, table saw, wood carving outfit, lathe, etc. Next, he built a small green house with a potting shed and there raised tomato plants, petunias, etc., and kept the neighborhood well supplied with garden plants in the spring. He was always “on call” to any neighbor that needed help.
Art is a Telephone Pioneer. His father was also a Telephone Pioneer, having worked for the Western in Cicero for many years. He was a Department Chief and on July 24, 1915, the Hawthorne Club chartered five steamers for a trip for the employees and their families. Arthur was on the planning committee for this affair. The Goeller Family had planned to go, but for some reason, the last minute, Frances refused to go and refused to let Arthur take the children.
Twenty-five hundred people, Arthur among them, pushed their way on the first steamer, the Eastland. As the Eastland began moving from the pier at 7:40 A.M., she began listing with the weight of her load. Suddenly the Eastland rolled over on her side and settled in the muck.
Arthur Goeller found himself in water 10 to 12 feet deep. Frantic people were thrashing about, and there was no way to climb back onto the pier. He was a powerful swimmer and saved many lives that day. Time and again he helped people to ropes and boats, until exhausted he was hauled out of the water himself. Eight hundred people died that day in what is now known as the Eastland Disaster.
Edward Goeller, Art’s grandfather, was born in Stuttgart, Germany and came to Newark, New Jersey, when he was 14 years old. He had a very distinguished career. He was a director of the State Banking Company in Newark. In 1878, he was elected a member of the Board of Education. He helped to organize the Newark Technical School, and was vice president. It later became the Newark College of Engineering in 1919. He was President of the Common Council. On his death, an official day of mourning was declared.
Art is a Mason, as was his father and grandfather before him.
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