Bio of Goodenough, John R. (b.1839) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm and Carol Judge
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Goodenough, John R., broom manufacturer, mason and stonecutter, Lake City,
is a native of McHenry county, Illinois. He is the son of Stillman and
Angeline (Wood) Goodenough, and was born April 5, 1839. His parents were
natives of the State of New York, and were married in Illinois, where the
former had settled in 1833. In 1848 the family removed to Dodge county,
Wisconsin, where the mother died in 1852. The father, after spending over
three years in the war of the rebellion as a member of the 19th Wis. Vol.
Inf., and participating in all the severe marches and trying campaigns and
battles of that brave regiment, returned to his home, and some years later
removed to Washington county, Kansas, where he still lives actively
engaged in stock raising and dealing in real estate. He is a son of
Christopher Goodenough, one of eleven brothers who secreted themselves on
shipboard and took their departure from the unbearable tyranny of despotic
Russia prior to the American revolution, five of them taking an active
part in that war on the colonial side. From those brothers, it is
believed, descended all bearing that name in this country, many of whom
have distinguished themselves and are prominently connected with our
American institutions as disciples of Blackstone, doctors, medicine and
divinity, as well as politicians. Our subject, John R., came to Lake City
in August, 1861, and the same fall established a broom factory. His was
the first machine ever brought to this city, and his broom handles could
be obtained at no nearer point than Milwaukee. In August, 1862, he
enlisted in Co. G, 8th Minn. Vol, Inf., in which he served as a faithful
soldier three years (see 8th Minn.), when he was honorably discharged and
returned to Lake City. Here he at once resumed the manufacture of brooms,
but the following spring was burnt out, and then removed to Florence, a
little farther up the lake, and some time later returned to Lake City,
Besides his broom business, he also devotes much of his time to masonwork
and stonecutting, giving especial attention to country contracts. He is a
thorough mechanic, and master of all his trades. He was married in Lake
City, in 1866, to Elizabeth Northfield, a native of Cambridge, England,
who came to America with her parents, John W. and Susan (Littlechild)
Northfield, in infancy. Three promising children bless this home, whose
names in the order of their birth are: Ada A., Olive R. and Effie. Mr.
Goodenough and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he
is a substantial member of the republican party.