Joel and George Goings were both freed men of color from Monongalia County, Virginia. George, the older, was born in 1795, while Joel was born in 1799. As young men they both traveled to Ohio with their families, first settling in Guernsey County. On August 11, 1837, George purchased 80 acres of land in section 25 of Van Buren Township in Shelby County. They settled in what became known as Rumley alongside several other families of color.
Joel Goings established a brick yard in Rumley which he used to provide the bricks for his home built there in 1841, which was one of the earliest brick homes in the township. The Goings brothers were also in business with Elias Spray to establish a grist mill in that area.
In 1860, an article in the Shelby County Democrat mentioned how Joel Goings was one of twelve black men who were the first to vote from Van Buren Township, which was quite a feat for that time period in history. George Goings passed away in 1848 leaving everything to his wife and children. Joel Goings lived to be 73 years old, passing away in 1872. He is buried in Collins cemetery outside of Kettlersville.