My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE E. GOODWIN is the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of very fine land, with valuable improvements, most of which he has made himself. This farm was located on section 4, township 45, range 27, Johnson County. When he purchased this tract it was a stubble field and bore little promise of what it might eventually become under proper management. The owner has spared himself no trouble in the development of the farm, and success now crowns his efforts. He possesses good business ability and is very methodical in all his affairs.

The birth of our subject occurred November 11, 1855, in Macoupin County, Ill. He attended Pleasant Hill School, near his home, more or less until he was twenty years of age, but a large portion of his time was spent in assisting his father, John Goodwin, to manage the old farm. When little past his majority he was elected Road Overseer of the district, discharging his duties faithfully. A sketch of his parents, John and Elizabeth (Wood) Goodwin, may be found in the biography of his brother, John T. Goodwin, which is printed elsewhere in this volume.

On Christmas Day, 1877, George E. Goodwin married Emma, daughter of William and Mary (Hand) Cruikshank, natives of Scotland and England, respectively. The former served a seven-years apprenticeship to the tailor’s trade, and after coming to the United States engaged in stone masonry. During the Mexican War he enlisted as a member of an Illinois regiment and went to the front. He makes his home near Bunker Hill, but his wife died August 8, 1891. Her parents located in Madison County, Ill., near the Goodwin family, at an early day. For years Mr. Cruikshank was Street Commissioner. Both he and his wife have been members of the Baptist Church for a long period. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin has been blessed with three children, Mary E., Oscar H. and Thirsa J.

The first housekeeping experience of Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin was on a tract of rented land in Shelby County, Ill., this farm being the property of his father. Six years later the young couple moved to this county, and from that time until the present have lived on the farm now owned by Mr. Goodwin. They are members of the Christian Church of Center View, and socially are connected with the Degree of Honor. For four years our subject has been Recorder of Center View Lodge, A. O. U. W., being one of the charter members, and takes much interest in the society. He has never been on the witness stand and has never served on a jury. Politically he supports the Democratic party by his ballot.