Biographical Sketch of

Horace Goodell

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 358 - 359


Horace Goodell, one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of
Manchester Township, Green Lake County, residing on section 3, has been a
resident of the community since 1851. He has therefore witnessed much of
the growth and prosperity and in the work of upbuilding and development has
borne no inconsiderable part. His duties of citizenship have ever been
discharged in a faithful manner and he is one of the highly respected men
of the town of Manchester. His birth place was in Seneca County, New York,
he having been born on the 6th day of July, 1816. His father, James
Goodell, was born in Washington County of the same State and married Miss
Catherine Riley, also born in that community.

Our subject was the eldest of seven children and the care of the farm to a
great extent devolved upon him. He attended the district school, where he
became familiar with the three R's and remained under the parental roof
until within a few weeks of his twenty-first birthday, when he went to
Washington County, New York, that he might take charge of a farm of his
grandfather who was then quite aged and in failing health. Under the
direction of the old gentleman he managed the entire business, making his
home with Mr. Goodell until his death in October, 1839. The farm was left
to Horace and his brother Ezekiel, but Horace soon became entire owner,
having purchased his brother's interest and there continued operations
until 1847. It comprised 196 acres and bounteous harvests rewarded the care
and labor which he bestowed upon it. At length he sold out, returning to
his native county in 1847, where he purchased a small farm and made his
home for four years. Attracted by the opportunities and advantages of the
West, he then came to Wisconsin, making his first location in Green Lake
County, where he has since continued to reside. Immediately after his
arrival he resumed his old occupation, but in the year of 1852, disposed of
his property and removed to Kingston, where he embarked as a real estate
and loan agent and broker. During the succeeding ten years he did a
lucrative business, but at the end of that time removed to a farm in
section 10, Manchester Township, there operating 160 acres until 1865, when
he bought eighty acres of his present home, at once taking possession of
the same, carrying on 200 acres in Marquette Township, and sixty acres in
Randolph Township, Columbia County. Mr. Goodell is a man of ceaseless
activity and by his industry was soon enabled to purchase other lands,
adding to the original amount until he now owns 270 acres, thirty of which
is timber land, the remainder being arable.

Notwithstanding his efforts to procure a comfortable home for his family,
Mr. Goodell has yet found time to serve his fellow citizens in official
positions. He is an ardent friend of the cause of education and for many
years was a member of the school board; for four years acted as Chairman of
the town board and has also served as Treasurer of the town, having held
that important office during the exciting times of the Great Rebellion. He
has been a useful member of society and a valued citizen and when any
movement for the benefit of the public is placed before the people for
support, he never fails to respond liberally to the calls made upon him. He
performs many acts of charity and kindness though it is done in such an
unostentatious manner that few are aware of the source. He does not seek
for the praise of men but receives his reward in the consciousness of
well-doing which is far better than the idle applause of the populace.

Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and politically is a
Democrat, having supported that party during his entire years of
citizenship. He well remembers the Jackson campaign, but he was not then
old enough to vote, having cast his first ballot for Martin Van Buren. 

Mr. Goodell has been twice married. In 1842, he wedded Miss Ann Brown, a
native of Washington County, New York, and by her had a family of two
children -- Vincent, who was a successful teacher and one of the prominent
young men of the county, died at his home in Manchester township, in 1884;
George, a resident of Ripon, Wis., married Emma Davidson, and they have
three children, Eddie, Hattie and Katie. The death of the mother occurred
at her home in the town of Manchester, Sept. 20, 1876, and about five years
afterward, on the 9th of January, 1881, Mr. Goodell was united in marriage
with Miss Martha Kaminska, a native of Germany, by whom he has two
children, Lill and Benjamin.   






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