In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a (1881)
JOHN T. GOODWIN, postofRce, Alma, Mo. Was born, raised and educated in Virginia, of which state both his father and mother, James and Elizabeth Goodwin were natives. In 1839 he moved with his parents to Missouri, and settled in this county. When grown, he took a trip to California, where he remained two years, and then returned home to this county, where he has a fine farm of 320 acres, especially adapted to the grain and stock raising. Two years ago, he rented his farm out, moved to Alma and engaged in general merchandising. In Sept. 1859, was married to Miss Amanda Goggins, daughter of Christopher and Eliza Goggins, of Ky. Of this union there are five living children: Lilly, Eliza M., Bettie, James and Daisy.
As printed in History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.