Biography of Isaiah Goodenow Portrait and Biographical Record, Pgs. 196 ISAIAH GOODENOW. For more than a quarter of a century this gentleman hasmade his home upon the farm in Tallmadge Township where he still resides, and tothe cultivation of which he devotes his attention. Upon coming to Ottawa Countyin 1866, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres, which he cleared andimproved. As time passed by he added to his property until he became the ownerof three hundred and ninety-three acres of fine land. He engages extensively inraising grain and also cultivates small fruits with considerable success. Born in Sandy Creek, N.Y., on the 1st of May, 1832, our subject isthe son of Edward and Mary (James) Goodenow, natives respectively of New Yorkand Wales. When Isaiah was six months old, his parents removed to Erie County,Pa., where the father followed agricultural operations until his demise, in1852. Our subject was the third youngest child born to his parents, and in hisboyhood was the recipient of such educational advantages as were afforded by thecommon schools of Erie County. He was an observing lad, thoughtful and studiousby nature, and availed himself to the utmost of every opportunity of increasinghis fund of information. Much of his time in youth was spent upon his father’sfarm, where he assisted in tilling the soil and garnering the grain. At the age of twenty years, bereaved by the death of his father, our subjectstarted out upon his own responsibility. He proceeded to Illinois, and foreleven years followed farming pursuits in Will County, whence he returned toPennsylvania and sojourned there for one year. Not finding things there as hehad expected, he again sought a home in the West, and came to Michigan, makingthe overland journey with a team. Arriving in Ottawa County in 1866, he settledupon one hundred and twenty acres where he now resides, and where, as abovestated, he engages extensively in raising fruit and grain. A very important event in the life of Mr. Goodenow was his marriage, whichoccurred in 1858, uniting him with Miss Gertrude Niskern. Mr. and Mrs. Goodenowwere the parents of the following-named children: Cora, who is at home; WarrenE., who conducts farming pursuits in South Dakota; Frank, May, Florence, Walterand Charles, who reside with their parents. They occupy positions of prominencein social circles, but are not identified with any religious organization,although Mrs. Goodenow was inclined toward the doctrines of the Lutheran Churchduring her life. She died March 7, 1892. As every public-spirited citizenshould, our subject takes an active interest in the welfare of his community andcontributes to its material progress. In politics, he is a Democrat, and alwaysgives his support to the candidates of that party. Socially, he affiliates withBerlin Lodge No. 248, A. F. & A. M.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & OttawaCounties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company Pg. 288,291

Transcriber: Susan Gates Davis
Created: 10 January 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index