Vermilion county Illinois, JOHN W. GOODWINE ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Joy Fisher ==================================================================== p. 207-208 JOHN W. GOODWINE is one of the leading-farmers and stock-growers of Vermilion County, and the owner of one of its largest and most valuable farms, finely located in the township of Pilot, his substantial residence, with its attractive surroundings, being situated on section 26. He is the son of a former well known prosperous pioneer of this section of the country, who was in his day an extensive land owner, and did much toward developing the vast agricultural resources of the county. The father was a native of Kentucky, of English descent, his parents having been early pioneers of that Stale. In 1810 he went to Bartholomew County, Ind., and was among its earliest settlers, subsequently removing from there to Warren County in the same State. In 1826 he came to Warren County while it was still in the hands of the pioneers, and located on government land, buying at that time 200 acres. He built a log house for the shelter of his family and entered with characteristic zeal upon the development of a farm from the wild prairies, and from time to time increased its acreage till he became the possessor of 2,400 acres of fine farming land at the time of his death, so fortunate was he in his undertakings. He died March 8, 1851. His wife, who died in 1821, was a native of Germany, her maiden name being Elizabeth Snyder, and she came with her parents to this country when she was young. Of her marriage nine children were born: James, Martha and John, the only ones now living. James married Sophia Buckels, of Warren County, Ind., where he is engaged in farming, and they have five children —William, Christina, Indiana, Horace and Fremont; Martha married Richard Lyon, of Warren County, Ind., and they have three children—John, Martha and Thomas. John Goodwine spent the early years of his life in his native State, gleaning such an education as was afforded by the pioneer schools of those days, and on the home farm a good practical training in the management of a farm. He came to Vermilion County March 15, 1848, and when he began an independent life for himself he had a better start than many farmer's sons, having inherited 300 acres from his father's estate. But notwithstanding such an advantage he worked with persevering energy, and by wise management and a judicious expenditure of money he has become possessed of one of the largest, and finest estates within the limits of Vermilion County, owning over 4,000 acres of highly improved land, besides having given his children 2,000. He does an extensive business in general farming, and makes a specialty of raising Short-horns, having a fine herd of highly graded cattle of that breed. Mr. Goodwine has been twice married. His first wife was Jane Charleton, of Indiana, and to them were born five children—Marion, John, James, Mary J. and Fremont. Marion married Susan Selsor, and lives in Marysville, this county. They have five children, one of whom is dead; the others are Hattie, Fred, Daly E. and Ary; John married Mary Alexander, and they had one child, Annie; his first wife died October, 1872, and about 1874 he was again married to Miss Alice Lane, and they have six children—John, Wilber, Nora, Ulysses, Cora and Villa; James, a farmer in this county, married Minerva King, of New Jersey, and they have three children—Nellie, Roy and Goldie; Mary J. married James M. Tillotson, of Warren County, Ind., now a farmer in Louisiana, and they have three children—Jessie, Estella and Mabel. The maiden name of the present wife of our subject was Arminda Sperry, and she was born in this county Dec. 24, 1842. Her parents, Erastus and Ruth (Rees) Sperry, were of German antecedents though they were born in this country, the father in Ohio June 3, 1819, and the mother in Indiana Aug. 19, 1819. Mr. and Mrs. Good wine have four children, namely: Martha, Helen, Dora and Grant W., all of whom are at home with their parents. Mr. Goodwiue possesses in a rare degree far-seeing sagacity and energy, so combined with those useful qualities of prudence and steadfastness of purpose, that he could not fail to increase his wealth by legitimate means, and accomplish whatever he attempted. His career in life has been an honorable one, and his place is among the most useful and worthy of the citizens of Vermilion County, with whose interests his own have been so intimately connected these many years, and whose material prosperity he has greatly extended. He has served on the juries of the State and county, and as an intelligent, observant man is greatly interested in the political issues of the day, giving his support to the Republican party on all questions of National or local importance. A fine large double page view of the handsome residence and surroundings on the farm of Mr. Goodwine is among the attractive features of the opening pages of the ALBUM, and is a fitting introduction to those which follow. It shows what can be accomplished by a life, of industry and energy, coupled with a good business capacity.