My Genealogy Hound

Charles Goodrich, jeweler, of Osceola, Ark., was born in Carroll County, Ill., in 1848, and was the eldest in a family of eight children born to Joseph and Louisa (Derouse) Goodrich, natives of Missouri and Illinois, respectively. The father follows the occupation of farming, and is at present residing in Iowa. Charles spent his youth in Iowa, till about fifteen years of age, when he attended the public schools, later going to Carroll County, Ill., when he soon engaged with a jeweler and watch-maker to learn that trade in Galena. He remained at Galena four years, and during that time completed his trade; subsequently removed to Iowa, where he worked at this calling in various localities till 1863. Returning to Illinois he enlisted in Company C, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry, and was assigned to duty with Sherman, being wounded at the battle of Fort McAlister. He was in the hospital at Savannah, and at Beaufort, S. C., till June, 1865; then went to Washington City, and participated in the grand review, June 15, 1865, receiving his discharge at Louisville, Ky., in October, same year. Soon after he again visited Iowa, working at his trade, and shortly after went to Canada, where he worked in Montreal for a time. He later became located at Chester, Ill., remaining there till the fall of 1868, when he returned to Iowa, and was married at Red Oak Junction, in the fall of 1868. Then he went to Missouri, settling at Bethany, Harrison County, for two years; thence to Savanna, Ill., remaining till the fall of 1871, and then to Sedalia, Mo., for one year. Going back to Chester, Ill., he stopped about one year, and then lived at Cairo for three years, moving finally to Gayoso, Mo. Here he engaged in business for himself. One year after he became a citizen of New Madrid, continuing there till 1879. At this time his wife died. There had been six children born to this union, of whom three had preceded their mother to their heavenly rest: Maud died while at school at Bardstown, Ky., at the age of sixteen years; Lester died in Illinois; Frederick died in Osceola, in 1888, at the age of ten years; Birtell died in 1872 at about three years of age; Eugene died at the age of fourteen months, in 1872; Mabel died in Osceola at four years of age, in 1882. After his wife’s death in 1879, Mr. Goodrich engaged in the sewing machine business in Pemiscot and New Madrid Counties, Mo., and Mississippi County, Ark., following this business for three years. In 1881 he married Cornelia Dowd, a native of Illinois, soon after which he settled in Osceola, where he has continued in business ever since. He commenced his career here in the sewing machine business, but after a year started a jewelry store, principally repairing. From year to year he has been increasing his stock which is now very complete, and he enjoys a good trade. He carries a stock of about $3,000, comprising jewelry, watches, clocks and sewing machines. To his second marriage three children were born: Lena, Lillian and Charley. Mr. Goodrich is a member of Samaritan Lodge, A. O. U. W., of Osceola. His first wife was Mattie E. Conquest, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Richard Conquest, who was an officer in the Mexican War, and quite a traveler. In the Civil War he was a lieutenant in the Second Colorado Cavalry. He died at Hastings, Neb., in 1887.