Sangamon County Biographies

SAMUEL F. GOODWIN
Samuel F. Goodwin, retired, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Kennebec county, Maine July 23, 1809, son of Daniel and Sarah (Haskell) Goodwin. His father's family consisted of seven children, five sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to be men and women. His father was a natural mechanic and his boys took to the trade and became thorough workmen. Mr. Goodwin learned the trade of carpenter and joiner of Daniel Wadsworth and remained with him until he was twenty-one years of age. hi 1832, went to Boston where he followed his trade until 1839, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, when he became acquainted with Miss Caroline E. Welch, his present wife, remaining there three years. In 1842, returned to Boston and remained there until the summer of 1843, when he returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, and while on the way to Boston was married in Providence, Rhode Island. Arriving in Boston, they started out in their new life, he prosecuting his trade until 1852, when he was employed by E. & G. G. Hook, organ factory where his time was occupied for five years. Hearing much of the west, he concluded to come to Illinois, where he located in Auburn, boarding for a few months, until he had time to erect a dwelling, being the first of any size, on the west side of the railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have met with sad bereavements, having a family of three sons and three daughters, all of which have passed away. Mr. G. has property in Auburn valued at $10,000. ["History of Auburn" by the Auburn Historical Society, unknown date, though it is noted that the biography is "as of" 1881 - Sub. by K.T.]

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