After the Civil War, Goff practiced law and was named United States Attorney for the District of West Virginia in 1868. In 1881, he was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Rutherford B. Hayes but resigned less than a year later. After failing in several attempts to gain election as congressman or West Virginia governor, he was elected in 1888 to represent West Virginia's 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1883 to 1889. President Benjamin Harrison named him a Federal Circuit Court of Appeals judge in 1891. While on the bench, he issued several notable rulings upholding Black citizens' political and social rights. He resigned his seat in 1913 to accept election by the West Virginia legislature as a U. S. Senator and held that post until 1919.
Goff's son, Guy D. Goff, also served as a United States Senator from West Virginia.
After the Civil War, Goff practiced law and was named United States Attorney for the District of West Virginia in 1868. In 1881, he was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Rutherford B. Hayes but resigned less than a year later. After failing in several attempts to gain election as congressman or West Virginia governor, he was elected in 1888 to represent West Virginia's 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1883 to 1889. President Benjamin Harrison named him a Federal Circuit Court of Appeals judge in 1891. While on the bench, he issued several notable rulings upholding Black citizens' political and social rights. He resigned his seat in 1913 to accept election by the West Virginia legislature as a U. S. Senator and held that post until 1919.
Goff's son, Guy D. Goff, also served as a United States Senator from West Virginia.
Bio by: Jeffry Burden
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