John L Good

GOOD

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/17/2010 at 13:19:23

John L good, who since 1903 has made his home in Boone, but for thirty-five years previously had been a resident of the county, was born in Gratz, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1845, a son of Daniel and Margaret (Reedy) Good, who were also natives of the Keystone state. The father was a tanner by trade, but in his later years followed farming. Unto him and his wife were born ten children: Jeremiah who died in Boone, Sarah who was the wife of Samuel Schoffstall and has passed away, Catherine the widow of J P Stein of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, Daniel and Mary also residents of the Keystone state, John L, Emma the wife of J A Umholz deceased, Amelia the wife of F Boyer of Pennsylvania, Henry a resident of Tremont, Pennsylvania, and George who died in infancy.
Through the period of his boyhood and youth John L Good, attended the public schools and remained at home until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit prompted his enlistment and he became a private of Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, with which he served for nine months in the Army of the Potomac. His command was stationed at Deep Creek, Virginia, at the time of the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania in 1863 and was sent by rail to Frederick, Maryland, whence they marched to the battlefield of Gettysburg, arriving there on the evening of July 3rd. During the night the rebel forces retreated and on the morning of the 4th Mr Good’s command was sent on a forced march to Harpers Ferry to cut off the retreat. On August 5th , 1863, they were discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as the term of nine months for which they had enlisted has expired. Mr Good then reenlisted, becoming corporal of Company H, Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Infantry, which was also a part of the Army of the Potomac. He participated in a number of skirmishes and the battles of Deep Creek, Dabney Mills, Hatchies Run, and Gravel Run, and during the latter engagement was wounded by a gunshot through the thigh on the 31st day of march, 1865. Being thus disabled, he was sent to the hospital, where he remained until discharged from service on Marcy 39, 1865, at the United States General Hospital at Chester, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Leonard Reedy, served in the War of 1812.
Following his return home from the war Mr Good, attended school for a time and later engaged in teaching for about a year, or until after his marriage which occurred in 1867. He subsequently clerked in a store for about two years, but in April 1869, he came west, having resigned his position in the store upon the advice of his physician. He made his way to Boone county, Iowa, settling at Pilot Mound. There he engaged in farming and stock raising and for many years carefully tilled his fields and raised his stock, both branches of his business proving profitable. His affairs were conducted along most practical and progressive lines, and his energy and determination brought to him the success which now enables his to live retired. He is still the owner of the old homestead in Grant township but moved to Boone in 1903 and in 1904 erected a fine residence at No 103 East Seventh street, where he has since lived, being one of the worthy citizens of Boone.
On January 17, 1867, Mr Good was united in marriage to Miss Cassiah Schreffler, a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, who died January 4, 1910, at the age of sixty-one years. Nine children were born of that marriage: Annie M the wife of Henry Dockey, of Pilot Mound, Hattie A deceased, Daniel and Grant who are residents of Ogden, this county, Minnie E the wife of Henry Wolf of Fort Dodge, Mary E deceased, Katie D, the deceased wife of Orlando Zunkel, a son who died in infancy, and Lucile Mae at home.
In his political views Mr Good is a republican, and for six years he served as a member of the board of county supervisors. For tow terms he represented his district in the state legislature, where he gave close consideration to the vital question which came up for settlement. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious faith is manifest in his membership of the Presbyterian church. His salient qualities are such as are worthy of respect. Various tangible evidences of his progressiveness in citizenship may be cite, and none has ever questioned the integrity of his motives in office. In business affairs, too, he is thoroughly reliable, and his intelligently directed efforts have brought to him the measure of success which now enables him to live retired.

1914 Boone County History Book