Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Goold, Charles H 1818 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 4:17 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

Charles H. Goold

Indelibly engraved on the pages of the history of Grundy county is the name of 
Charles H. Goold, who for forty-five years was a leading representative of the 
business interests of Morris.  His was a pure, honorable and useful life, 
actuated by unselfish motives, guided by sound principles, and at his death he 
left not only a handsome fortune but also an untarnished name.  His career was 
in many respects one worthy of emulation, and no record of the county would be 
complete without an account of his life.

Charles H. Goold was born in Churchville, Monroe county, New York, July 16, 
1818.  His father, Charles H. Goold, Sr., removed to Ontario county, New York, 
and during the early boyhood of our subject the mother died.  At a very tender 
age he was thrown upon his own resources for support.  In the common schools 
he acquired his early education, and completed an academic education, to which 
he continually added through business experience, close observation and 
extensive reading in later years.  During his youth he went to Genesee county, 
New York, where he accepted a clerkship in a mercantile establishment, where 
he remained till 1841.  He then secured a stock of goods, which he sold 
throughout Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and Louisiana.

Mr. Goold made his first visit to Morris in 1845, coming with a friend who was 
a contractor engaged in the construction of the Illinois and Michigan canal.  
Returning to New York, Mr. Goold was united in marriage in Batavia of that 
state, late in 1840, to Miss Laura Adelia Baker, who was born in Connecticut 
but was reared in New York – a lady of education and culture.  In the 
following year, accompanied by his bride, he again came to Morris, not with 
the express purpose of making this city his home, however.  He engaged in 
business here and as his operations proved successful erected a palatial brick 
residence, which stands as a monument to his enterprise and progressive 
spirit.  He was a pioneer grain dealer and dry-goods merchant of Morris, and 
in connection with John P. Chapin he erected, 1849, the first warehouse and 
store of any respectable size in Morris.

Disposing of his mercantile interests in 1851, Mr. Goold turned his attention 
to the real-estate business and insurance.  He issued the first policy in 
Morris and for many years did a most extensive business in both departments of 
the work.  Many transfers of real estate were made by him, involving vast sums 
of money, and through his activity in this regard the substantial improvement 
and permanent development of the county was greatly augmented.  His judgment 
was rarely, if ever, at fault, and his extraordinary for him the public 
confidence and a very large patronage.  Thus he grew wealthy, amassing a 
handsome fortune, and though he started out in life without capital he died a 
rich man.  Through the legitimate channels of business he met with success, 
energy and business discernment being the salient features of his prosperity.  
In 1864 he was one of the organizers of the Grundy County National Bank, and 
from that time was continually one of the directors.  In 1871 he was made its 
president, filling that position until his death, which occurred June 22, 
1892.  To his ability and management the success of the institution was 
attributable, and as the result of his efforts it took rank among the most 
substantial financial concerns in this part of the state.

In manner Charles H. Goold was quiet and reserved and perhaps was not fully 
understood by many.  His friends, however, recognizing his goodness of heart, 
his fidelity to principle and his manly conduct, had for him the highest 
admiration and respect.  He had great sympathy for his fellow men and was 
liberal to those in need of aid, yet lived in strict obedience to the 
scriptural mandate, “When thou doest alms let not thy right hand know what thy 
left hand doeth”.  He was a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to the 
Chicago Consistory.  For many years he and his estimable wife regularly 
attended the services of the Congregational church.  When his life’s labors 
were ended his remains were laid to rest in Evergreen cemetery at Morris, in a 
beautiful mausoleum erected by his widow in loving remembrance of one whose 
life was so long closely interwoven with her own and whom to know was to 
esteem and honor.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy Counties 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, pages 472-474

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