In the history of Clay county, as applying to the milling industry, the
name of Wilbur A. Goodenough occupies a conspicuous place, for through a
number of years he has been one of the representative lumber dealers in this
locality, progressive, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities always
win success, sooner or later, and to the subject they have brought a
satisfactory reward for his well-directed efforts, and while he has
benefited himself and community in a material way, he has also been an
influential factor in the educational, political and moral uplift of the
community favored by his residence.
Wilbur Adino Goodenough was born
in Jefferson county, New York, May 26, 1857, the son of Morris M.
Goodenough, who was a native of Northern New York. Adino Goodenough, the
great-grandfather of the subject, was a native of Scotland, who came to
America with Lord Howe. He passed the winter with Washington at Valley Forge
as one of his captains, having enlisted three times in the Revolutionary
war. The third time he walked from Vermont to Boston to enlist. He spent his
last days at Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, dying there in his
eighty-seventh year. Most of his life while in America, was spent in
Vermont. The subject's grandfather, John Banister Goodenough, a native of
New York, died in 1864, at the age of eighty-two years. He devoted his life
to farming. The subject's father was also a farmer, and, like his ancestors,
was a man of influence in his community. He died at the age of seventy-two
years in Jefferson county, New York, in 1899.
The mother of the
subject was Caroline Griswold, also a native of northern New York, where she
lived all her life and where she ended her earthly labors in 1895, at the
age of sixty-two years. Twelve children were born to the subject's parents,
eight of whom are living, in 1908, namely: Charles, Estella, Wilbur, Albert,
Caroline, Ward, Eaton, Morris, Emma, Belle, Mollie and Grace.
Mr.
Goodenough spent his boyhood days in Watertown, New York, where he attended
school and received a good education. He went from there to Copenhagen, New
York, where he learned the trade of miller, after which he went to
Ogdensburg, that state, where he worked for fifteen years with much success
attending his efforts. In 1894 he came to Louisville and bought the
Louisville Roller Mills, which burned down October 25, 1897. The plant was
rebuilt the fall of 1898. His brother, Albert, has been associated with him
in all his business. They have an extensive trade and carry on a growing
industry, their customers coming from all parts of this locality, both in
the flour and lumber business.
Mr. Goodenough was united in marriage
February 22, 1883, to Luella Stanford, of Lowville, Lewis county, New York,
the representative of a well-known family there, and to this union two
children have been born; Luella, born April 15, 1894, and Stanford, born
December 17, 1898.
Our subject is a director in the Farmers' and
Merchants' Bank of Louisville. In his fraternal relations he is a member of
the Masons, the Chapter and Knights Templar. In politics he is a Republican
and both he and Mrs. Goodenough are members of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Goodenough is one of the substantial citizens of Clay county. He has
persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained a most
satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in many respects, and he has ever
supported those interests which have for their object the welfare of the
community and the benefit of humanity.
Extracted 27 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay & Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 120-121.
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