William H. Goodwin, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of William H. Goodwin
WILLIAM H. GOODWIN. The Goodwin family is an old and illustrious one, dating its history in the United States back to early Revolutionary days. William H. Goodwin, of Pine township, Porter county, Indiana, is a direct descendant of those who helped to establish this government and to fight for its independence, and his grandfather, Richard Goodwin, is famed in United States history as a commissary under General Washington. Mr. Goodwin is the son of Dr. John M. and Sarah C. (Biggs) Goodwin, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, while the place of his nativity was Kane county, Illinois, the date of his birth being January 11, 1847. Dr. Goodwin had a twin brother who achieved some distinction in New York, he having been by profession a minister of the gospel and at one time a member of the senate body of the New York legislature. Dr. Goodwin, who was born in Thompson county, New York, June 12, 1812, early evinced a desire to identify himself with the medical profession, and at the age of eighteen years began studies looking toward a doctor's degree. His graduation from Geneva Medical College occurred in 1836 and in 1842 he went to Aurora, Illinois, where he engaged in practice for four years. He then returned to New York state, where he remained for ten years. He then came to Porter county, Indiana, where he took up his residence on a farm and continued to practice as a physician until the time of his death, on October 22, 1892. Dr. Goodwin had a family of four children, three of whom are living, namely, Clayton S., of Wanatah, Indiana, William H., the subject of this sketch; and Elizabeth T., the wife of William Jennison. He was a Democrat in politics, and a public spirited man who faithfully performed his duties as a citizen at all times and served the people in the capacity of a justice of the peace for thirteen years.
William H. Goodwin was ten years of age when he came with his father's family to Porter county, Indiana, and after completing his studies in the district schools, he began to work at his chosen occupation of farming. He has been continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits up to the present time, and is now a prominent farmer and stock raiser of this county, owning a fine farm of eighty acres, and controlling about 500 acres.
On September 20, 1871, was solemnized the marriage of William H. Goodwin and Anna V. Harmon, a native of Bellebrook, Greene county, Ohio, where she was born March 23, 1851, the daughter of Elias R. and Mary E. (Dunham) Harmon. Mrs. Goodwin was fifteen years of age when her father, who was a native of Virginia, located in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are the parents of three children. Charles, a son who met his death by accident, was a graduate of Valparaiso University and taught school for seven years previous to his unfortunate death. He was married to Minnie McCarthy, and left to mourn his loss besides the widow, two children, Walter J. and Mabel M. Another son is John M. Goodwin, who married Dorothy Weiseman, they being the parents of one son, Charles H. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin is Emma M., who graduated from the Chesterton high school and attended the Valparaiso University, and is now engaged as a teacher in Pine township.
The Methodist Episcopal church counts Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin as among its most valued members, Mr. Goodwin filling the office of trustee of that organization. He is an active citizen of the community, taking prominent part in all consultations that are held to consider matters affecting its welfare, and at present holds the office of trustee of Pine township. In politics he favors the principles of the Democratic party.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 837-838
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