HENRY T. GODFREY, M. D., of Galena, was born in Ireland in 1840, a son of Henry E. B. and Mary (Oaks) Godfrey, also natives of that country, who were of English descent. When our subject was eleven years old he was sent to Vine House Academy at London, a branch of the University. He was a student in that institution for three years, and then, having a natural taste for the study of medicine, and a rare opportunity to prosecute it – having two uncles who were celebrated physicians – he entered upon it. He was articled to his uncle, John B. Godfrey, a practicing physician of London, for five years. Two years later he left home to accompany his uncle, Dr. Robert T. Godfrey, to Canada, that gentleman being Professor of Hygiene at the McGill Medical College, in Montreal, and afterward occupied the Chair of Surgery at Bishop’s University. Our subject continued his medical studies under the direction of his learned uncle in Montreal, remaining in that city until 1863. In that year he came to Chicago, and acted as assistant, with Dr. Hess, to the late Dr. Daniel Brainerd. Our subject improved the opportunity, while a resident of that city, to attend the Rush Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1864. During that year he occupied the position of Assistant Surgeon in the 11th Michigan Infantry, going South with his regiment. He was afterward transferred to the 156th Illinois Infantry, and was attached to that regiment until the close of the war.

After the war the Doctor established himself in Benton, La Fayette Co., Wis., and continued in active practice there until 1880. In that year he opened an office in Galena, and has ever since been a resident of this city. His reputation had preceded him, and he had no difficulty in securing his present large practice, as he is considered one of our best physicians. He and his family are popular in the social life of his city, and he is promin-ently identified with various medical and social organizations. He belongs to the American Medical Society and of the Julian Medical Society of Dubuque, and is District Surgeon of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. The Doctor is connected with the G. A. R. as a member of the E. D. Kittal Post. He joined the Masonic fraternity in Wisconsin, and he is also identified with the I. O. O. F. as a member of Galena Lodge No. 17.

Dr. Godfrey was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Groves Footner in 1865. She was born in Montreal, and is a daughter of William and Mary (Manghan) Footner, natives of Durhamshire, England. Five children have been born of this pleasant wedded life, as follows: William II., in the employ of the Northern Pacific Express Company at St. Paul, Minn.; Alfred, a student at the Rush Medical College, Chicago; Walter, a dental student; Mary, and Louise.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - From Portraits and Biographical Pg 558