J. M Goodwin, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of J. M Goodwin
DR. J. M. GODDWIN, one of the oldest practitioners of medicine in Porter County, and born in Tompkins County, N. Y., June 12, 1812. His parents were Richard and Prudence (Hollister) Goodwin. He has a noted ancestry, many having taken part in the struggle for independence, his grandfather having served as commissary in Gen. Washington's army for seven years. His father was a Methodist minister for fifty years, and his mother one of the survivors of the Wyoming massacre in 1777, being saved almost providentially. They were among the pioneers of Tompkins County, N. Y., and built the first grist-mill in the lake region. Dr. Goodwin lived with his parents until his manhood, being the youngest of twelve children. His living brother was a minister, and for one term State Senator in New York. Dr. Goodwin began the study of medicine at his eighteenth year, and graduated from Geneva Medical College in 1836; he then managed his home affairs until 1842, when he moved to Aurora, Ill., where he practiced four years, when he returned to New York and engaged in practice until 1856; thence he came to Porter County, where he has since lived and practiced, giving his services to soldiers' families during the late war. He was married, August 25, 1841, to Sarah Biggs, a daughter of Michael and Tobisa (Semans) Biggs, who were among the earliest settlers of Seneca County, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have had four children - Louisa (now Mrs. H. Killmer), Clayton S. (of La Porte County), William H. and Elizabeth (now Mrs. M. Frame, of Chicago). In politics, Dr. Goodwin is a Democrat, and has represented the party as Justice of the Peace for thirteen years. His first vote was for Van Buren in 1836. His son Clayton was a soldier in the late ware, and was severely wounded at the battle of Stone River.
Source: Goodspeed, Weston A., and Charles Blanchard. 1882. Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana: Historical and Biographical, Illustrated. Chicago, Illinois: F. A. Battey & Company. 771 p.
Page(s) in Source: 394
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook