My Genealogy Hound

ALONZO GOODENOUGH, since 1865 a leading citizen and successful general agriculturist of Berrien County, Mich., was born in Windham County, Vt., in 1841. His parents were Genesis R. and Eunice (Worden) Goodenough. The father of our subject was also born in Windham, on the same homestead which became the birthplace of his son. He received a good common-school education in the home district and early learned the blacksmith’s trade, serving his apprenticeship in Guilford, in which town he resided until the year 1850. At the latter date he removed to Readsboro, and made his home there until 1870, then locating in Wallingford, where he passed away in 1874. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a man of upright conduct and principle. Politically, he was before the Civil War a Whig, afterward a Republican. The father of our subject took a great interest in educational matters and was an efficient member of the School Board at various times. He was married early in life to the daughter of Peter and Barbara (Allen) Worden, all natives of Vermont. The eldest child of the first marriage died at the age of three years. Mary M. married Jesse Haines. Francis H. was the third in order of birth. Alonzo was the youngest of the family.

After the death of the mother of our subject the father married Miss Phetima Bolster. Two children, daughters, were born of the second marriage. Sarah became the wife of James Legate, and Fannie married Gilbert Lyons. The father, surviving his second wife, wedded Miss Cassendana Ballou. There were no children from this marriage. At fifteen years of age our subject began to learn the blacksmith’s trade and at twenty years entered the army. In 1865 Mr. Goodenough, then about twenty-four years old, came to Galien Township and bought a forty-acre farm, where he yet resides. To his original homestead he has added until he now owns one hundred and twenty-nine acres. The succeeding year after his arrival in Michigan, 1866, he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Daniel and Mary Heckarthorn. The nine children who have blessed the pleasant home of our subject and his wife are Henry A., Cassendana M., Charles E., Jesse, Burton, Minnie, Christopher, Ralph E., and Hazel. Jesse is a graduate of the Galien High School and has prepared himself to follow the avocation of a teacher.

When the Civil War broke out Alonzo Goodenough entered the service of the Government, enlisting in Company A, Second Vermont Regiment, under McDowell, and was afterward with McClellan’s command. Our subject actively participated in the battles of Bull Run, Lee’s Mill, Williamsburgh, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburgh. Upon the second field of battle Mr. Goodenough was wounded in the left leg by a minie-ball. For three months he was confined to the hospital and then returned to his regiment, subsequently engaging in the battle of the Wilderness, the three fights at Spottsylvania and the conflicts at Cold Harbor, Petersburgh and Cedar Creek, Va., in the latter battle being wounded by a minie-ball in the right shoulder. Again severely injured, he passed four months in the hospitals in Baltimore and Montpelier, Vt. As soon as able our subject rejoined his regiment at Petersburgh and was present at the surrender of Gen. Lee. Mr. Good enough look an active part in about thirty-eight battles, all told. He served as Sergeant. Although constantly surrounded by perils, and twice dangerously wounded, our subject escaped capture and the prison-pen.

When Mr. Goodenough made his home in the West he abandoned his trade and devoted himself to the pursuit of agriculture with most profitable results. He has been prospered in his Western home and is now one of the substantial farmers of Berrien County. Politically, he is a strong Republican and a firm believer in “the Party of Reform.” Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and belongs to Three Oaks Lodge No. 239. Mr. and Mrs. Goodenough and their family enjoy the esteem of the entire community of Galien Township and are active in all matters pertaining to the mutual welfare and various enterprises of the locality. Our subject is known and respected as an upright man and true American citizen.