DR. W. J. GOODMAN AND S. A. GOODMAN, JR., Smith County, Texas ***************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by Betty Phea - phea44@hotmail.com 7 June 2001 ***************************************************************** DR. W. J. GOODMAN AND S. A. GOODMAN, JR. "Some Biographies of Old Settlers." Historical, Personal and Reminiscent. Volume I By Sid S. Johnson, 1900: Sid S. Johnson, Publisher, Tyler, Texas Chapter XXXIX - Pages 189 - 191 Among those who have long been identified with the city of Tyler, we mention Dr. W. J. Goodman. He was born and reared in Union county, South Carolina. He completed his literary education in South Carolina College. He then commenced the study of medicine in the office of his father, Dr. S. A. Goodman. He atteneded two full courses of lectures in Charleston Medical College and graduated there, and went immediately to New York City, where he took a full post graduate course of lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, also attending clinical lectures in Bellevue Hospital. In a few months after returning to South Carolina, he moved to Tyler, Texas, and commenced the practice of his profession. Soon the civil war commenced. He very soon entered the Confederate army, and received the appointment of Assistant Surgeon of the 13th Texas Volunteer Infantry; in a few months was commissioned surgeon of said regiment; later, was brigade surgeon of Luckett's Brigade, and afterwards served as division surgeon of General Slaughter's Division. After the war closed, he returned to Tyler and resumed the practice of medicine. He married Miss Gaston, the daughter of Col. R.K. Gaston. Dr. Goodman continued the practice of medicine in Tyler until 1887, when he retired from practice, and has since then devoted his time to his other interests. During all the years of his residence in Tyler he has ever been among the foremost of its citizens in aiding, both with his energy and means, every enterprise that would redound to the interest of Tyler and its citizens. S.A. Goodman, Jr., and son of Dr. S.A. Goodman, and brother of Dr. Wm. J. Goodman, was born in Union county, South Carolina. Completed his education in South Carolina College. In 1857, he moved with his father to Smith county, Texas, and commenced the study of law, and was licensed to practice in the different courts. He was always a man of very delicate constitution and ill health caused him to abandon his cherished hope of being able to pursue the profession of law, he decided to devote himself to farming interests. When the civil war began, he entered the Confederate army, enlisting in Company K, 3rd Texas Cavalry, Capt. Sid S. Johnson's old company, and participated in the battle of Oak Hills, Missouri, and for some time served in this company; but shortly after the battle of Oak Hills, he was, on account of continuous ill health, honorably discharged from the army. He returned home and after a few months recuperation, again entered the service, enlisting in the 13th Texas Infantry. He was able to serve only a few months when he was again discharged on account of ill health, and was not again able to enter the army. Later, he married Miss Kate Vinson, of Rusk county, Texas. After the war closed until the time of his death, which occurred August the 19th, 1899, he devoted his time to farming and made it a success. He was a warm hearted, genial, honest man and ever ready to do his part in any business, or charitable enterprise.