Harrison Aiken Goodall

The following appeared in The Lebanon Democrat, April 13, 1893, on page 4. It was written by "The Observer", John M. Hill. Uncle Walter has a complete book of this man's writings complied by his son. I love to read the way he writes. I have a couple of things I want to share with you, so I will begin with part of article that dealt with Harrison Aiken Goodall, Papa's grandfather.

Last Friday was spent by the writer in mingling with a few of the many good people of the 8th district. I first saw H.A. Goodall, who is living at the present time where he was born in the year 1821. He has never lived out of the district and nearly all the time has been at his present home. He has ever been an honored and useful citizen and as an evidence of it he was a consecutive magistrate in his district for twenty-six years. To this place he was called by his friends and neighbors who felt that they needed him. A man who has never sought promotion, but has it given him without any solicitation on his own part, had just cause to feel proud of it. Such has been the case with our old friend. He has been twice married and is at present living with his second wife. The fruits of theses marriages have been eight children, five sons and three daughters.

The first wife I never knew, but the present one is one among the many good women of earth that I have been pleased to meet. those who are upon beds of affliction or suffering for the necessaries of life find in her a true and tried friend. Like the Master whom she is striving to serve she spends much of her time in going about doing good.

Esq. Goodall has been in feeble health for several years and is at this time in the clutches of Lagrippe. A long useful and economical life finds him with a sufficiency of the things of life to enable him to spend the remnant of his days in rest and quiet at his pleasant home. He is model cultured gentleman and talks entertaining upon any subject upon which you may strike him.