Born near Minster, Ohio, Goeke attended the common schools and was graduated from Pio Nono College in St. Francis, Wisconsin, in 1888.

He was admitted to the bar in 1891 and commenced practice in St. Marys, Ohio.

In November 1891, Goeke was married to Emma Kolter of Wapakoneta.

She and the children were accidentally asphyxiated by natural gas at home while Goeke was away.

[1] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress