John R. Goodenough

Revolutionary War War of Rebellion (Civil War)

Goodenough, John R., (page 1235), broom manufacturer, mason and stonecutter, Lake City, is a native of McHenry county, Illinois. He is the son of Stillman and Angeline (Wood) Goodenough, and was born April 5, 1839. His parents were natives of the State of New York, and were married in Illinois, where the former had settled in 1833. In 1848 the family removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where the mother died in 1852. The father, after spending over three years in the war of the rebellion as a member of the 19th Wis. Vol. Inf., and participating in all the severe marches and trying campaigns and battles of that brave regiment, returned to his home, and some years later removed to Washington county, Kansas, where he still lives actively engaged in stock raising and dealing in real estate. He is a son of Christopher Goodenough, one of eleven brothers who secreted themselves on shipboard and took their departure from the unbearable tyranny of despotic Russia prior to the American revolution, five of them taking an active part in that war on the colonial side. From those brothers, it is believed, descended all bearing that name in this country, many of whom have distinguished themselves and are prominently connected with our American institutions as disciples of Blackstone, doctors, medicine and divinity, as well as politicians. Our subject, John R., came to Lake City in August, 1861, and the same fall established a broom factory. His was the first machine ever brought to this city, and his broom handles could be obtained at no nearer point than Milwaukee. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 8th Minn. Vol, Inf., in which he served as a faithful soldier three years (see 8th Minn.), when he was honorably discharged and returned to Lake City. Here he at once resumed the manufacture of brooms, but the following spring was burnt out, and then removed to Florence, a little farther up the lake, and some time later returned to Lake City, Besides his broom business, he also devotes much of his time to masonwork and stonecutting, giving especial attention to country contracts. He is a thorough mechanic, and master of all his trades. He was married in Lake City, in 1866, to Elizabeth Northfield, a native of Cambridge, England, who came to America with her parents, John W. and Susan (Littlechild) Northfield, in infancy. Three promising children bless this home, whose names in the order of their birth are: Ada A., Olive R. and Effie. Mr. Goodenough and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a substantial member of the republican party.