LOCAL/FAMILY HISTORY DEPT. * DONNELLSON PUBLIC LIBRARY * 500 PARK AVE. * DONNELLSON, IA * 52625
MAK Project _ Goodnough, Rufus
As the 2008 Christmas Season draws near, this month’s entry found in the MAK files were highlights of recordings from the Montrose Park Journal. More than 110 years ago, the following was written about one of the Pioneers of Lee County, IA, author unknown. Born on Christmas Day nearly 200 years ago Rufus Goodnough became one of the leading Pioneers of Lee County, IA. Tremendous changes and ingenuity have taken place in these years gone by. Perhaps the key to understanding what lies ahead can be found in what has come before us. May we be guided by the footsteps of our ancestors as we make our way into what lies ahead in the new year. The Genealogy Staff at the Donnellson Library wishes you and your family and loved ones a very Merry Christmas and hope for a prosperous and Happy New Year.
Rufus Goodnough
18 June 1897
John KIEL mailed a letter to a friend instructing him to wire when the end came. That letter had scarcely left the office here before a dispatch came to John KENNEDY, master of Joppa Lodge, telling of Mister GOODNOUGH’s death, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning. A wild and almost uncivilized west has been transformed into the abode of science, art and education during the lifetime of Mr. GOODNOUGH. In 1832 a healthy looking youth stepped off a steamer, the WARRIOR, which had made its way over the rapids and landed at a point near what is now the foot of Main Street. At that time the handy work of nature had been but little disturbed by the step of advancing civilization. A single cabin was in sight, and that some distance from the river. The young man walked on to view the land and discovered a patch of wide strawberries at a point near where the Presbyterian Church now stands. That youth was Rufus GOODNOUGH, the subject of this sketch, who afterward owned a home near the berry patch and who spent years of his life as a pilot on the great river over which he was then taking his first trip.
From the "PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF LEE COUNTY", we learned that Rufus Goodnough was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on Christmas Day 1816. He came west in 1828 and landed at St. Louis. Later he ascended the Mississippi River as far as Galena. In 1835 he went to Texas, during the troubles in that state, where he remained for seven years. He then returned to St. Louis, and for 20 years afterward was a successful and prosperous pilot on the Mississippi River. When Ft. Sumpter was fired on he entered the service and went out with Capt. Galland's Company of Volunteers, which was mustered into the service as Company H, 6th Iowa Vol. Inf. of this company he was elected first lieutenant.
In the winter of same year he resigned and returned home when he raised another company which was mustered in as the 30th Iowa Regiment, in this time on account of ill health and being afflicted with asthma and bronchitis, he resigned and received an honorable discharge.
Mr. Goodnough was married in October 1855 to Mrs. Nancy HARDISSHELL, an Arkansas lady. She remained his companion for 23 years, departing this life April 1, 1878. No children blessed this union. He was married a second time in 1888 to Mrs. Lovina WALLACE. One child, Fannie R. blessed this union, who resides with her mother in Ft. Madison, both of whom attended the funeral.
Mr. Goodnough was a great society man, and united with many orders, among them being Joppa Lodge No. 136, the Royal Arch and Counsel Degrees of the same Fraternity, Cascade Lodge No. 66, I. O. O. F, Sir Knight of Palm and Shield and Eastern Star. He was also a member of Top Best Post G. A. R. and was a member of the Episcopal Church.
The body arrived here on Sunday morning and was taken charge of by the Joppa Lodge No. 136. The body lay in state in the Masonic Hall during the day and was viewed by many persons. The funeral took place at 5 p.m. under the auspices of Joppa Lodge.
The following gentlemen acted as pallbearers: John NOONAN, J. W. DOUGHTY, F. H. GLANDY, J. K. COONY, J. G. BOYD, and F. A. WHITNEY. Many friends followed the body to his last resting place. And to that windowless abode has been added to our silent city of the dead and another of the pioneers of Lee County has laid down to his eternal rest.
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