William C. Goodwin

As printed in 1910

WILLIAM C. GOODWIN, M. D.

In measuring the value of services rendered in the various professions and occupations, it is difficult to say which performs the most good for mankind, for no legitimate occupation exists which does not yield much service to the people of the earth; but all can agree that the physician, who cures physical ills and relieves pain and distress, promoting the health and longevity of the race, ranks among the most useful members of society, and one can hardly place too high a valuation on the achievements of his profession.

William C. Goodwin was born in Orange county, Virginia, May 31, 1832, son of John M. Goodwin, a physician and farmer, born in Louisa county, Virginia, and Eliza T. (Stevens) Goodwin, a native of Orange county. They both died in Orange county, he when nearly seventy-two, and she at about ninety. They were the parents of ten children, of whom William C. was the fourth. He was reared in Orange county and read medicine with his father, then attended lectures at the University of Virginia and graduated at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in March, 1853. For three years he practiced with his father in Orange county, then, in 1856, came to Johnson county, Missouri, and practiced there until the breaking out of the war. His first war service was with the Missouri State Guards called out by Gov. C. F. Jackson. He enlisted as a private and after the battle of Wilson's Creek was appointed surgeon of a ward in the Confederate hospital at Springfield, Missouri, serving in such capacity for a time, when he enlisted as a private in the Fifth Regiment Missouri Infantry and after serving in this regiment for some time was appointed assistant surgeon and served until the end of the war. His regiment was in service in Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi in the earlier part of the war, but was afterwards transferred to the Army of Northern Virginia, and he served as assistant surgeon of the Forty-fifth Regiment Georgia Infantry during the latter part of the war. After spending one year with his father in Orange county, Virginia, he returned to Missouri and resumed the practice of his profession in Johnson and Lafayette counties, coming to Odessa in 1885, and continuing in active and successful practice until 1900. He also started a drug store in 1885, in which he has still an interest, the firm being known at present as Goodwin & Sons.

Doctor Goodwin was married in Lafayette county, in October, 1868, to Sarah Isabelle Renick, born November 30, 1840, a daughter of Andrew E. and Sabina Renick, who were old settlers of Lafayette county. She died August 5, 1882. She bore to Doctor Goodwin four children: David P., of Goodwin & Sons; Littleton E.. who died in infancy; Mary L., wife of H. W. McNeel, recorder of Lafayette county; and Eugene M., of Goodwin & Sons. Doctor Goodwin was again married in Lafayette county on February 25, 1884. to Josephine A. Renick, a younger sister of his first wife, who was born December 12, 1849, and died December 19, 1909.

Doctor Goodwin has been a member of the different Lafayette county medical societies. He is a member of Mount Hope Lodge, No. 476, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Martha Chapter No. 146, Eastern Star. He is a very estimable man and one who stands high in the regard of those who know him, being a thorough gentleman in every sense of the word. He has been prominent in any work which had for its object the betterment of the community. He possesses a handsome gold-headed cane presented to him by the order of the Eastern Star on his retirement as secretary, which office he held for eleven years.

As printed in Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.