Benjamin Goddard, retired; residence, Webster Street; was born in Grafton Co., N. H. July 22, 1804. His parents removed to Vermont when he was 2 years of age, and he grew up there. After reaching manhood he went to St. Lawrence Co. N. Y. in 1825. A few years after than, on the 31st of May, 1829, he was united in marriage to Miss Mercy Ann Pierce, a native of Grafton, N. H.; she came to New York when ten years of age. They came West by wagon to Iowa, and were seven weeks on the way and arrived in this county in December 1835. They located about three miles from Freeport and built a log house and began making a farm. They were among the very earliest settlers. There were plenty of Indians, and Mrs. Goddard tells of how they used to come to the house when she was all alone and want bread and meat, and more than once they understood that she was not frightened, and would not give them all the food in the house. After living there three years, they moved to where the city is now located, and Mr. Goddard built the first house that was built in Freeport. He had a farm adjoining the present town site. They kept a hotel for some years, it being the old Stage House. He bought a saw-mill and ran it about twenty years; in 1860, he engaged in the flouring-mill business, and since then he has been interested in that business, which is now managed by his son. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard are the oldest living settlers of Freeport; there is no one living now that was here when they came. When they first came, he only had his team and the little furniture they brought with them. He now owns 170 acres of good land adjoining the city limits, besides city property, and owes his success to his own efforts. He has seen good winter wheat sell for 25 cents per bushel. He relates of a man named Hill who carted a load of wheat to Chicago and his expenses for the trip were $9 more than he got for the wheat. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard have four children: Miriam (now Mrs. Frisbie), Alpheus P., Benjamin E. and Byron S.; they lost a son, Franklin
Contributed by Alice Horner/ History of Stephenson County, Illinois, published in 1880 by Western Historical Company of Chicago.
Headstone Photo
