Goddard, Garner

GODDARD, HOWARD, WINNE, NICHOLS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/14/2003 at 20:46:05

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

GARDNER GODDARD.

At the time when the country became involved in civil war there were in every state soldier boys whose loyalty and valor equaled that of veterans of twice their years. A youth in years but a man in patriotic spirit, Gardner Goddard offered his services to the government, and for nearly four years followed the nation’s starry banner upon the battlefields of the south. In times of peace he is equally loyal to his native land, and as a representative citizen of Clinton county he well deserves representation in her history.

He was born in Kennebec county, Maine, February 10, 1846, his parents being Reuben H. and Martha (Howard) Goddard. The mother died during the infancy of her son Gardner, and the father passed away in 1860. With his family he came to the west in 1851, settling in Camanche township, Clinton county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unbroken land from the government. This he transformed into a well-cultivated tract, on which he erected a good residence, built a barn and made many other substantial improvements. He still owned a good farm at the time of his death, and he was residing thereon at the time he was called to his final rest.

Gardner Goddard was the second in order of birth in his father’s family, which numbered five children, of whom one died in infancy, while the others reached mature years. He acquired his education in the common schools, and throughout his entire life has been engaged in farming and gardening. He was only fourteen years of age at the time of his father’s death, and since that time has depended entirely upon his own resources. The following year, in 1861, he enlisted in the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, becoming a member of Company A, commanded by Captain J. Henry Smith, of Camanche. After nearly four years of service he received an honorable discharge at the close of the war in 1865. He was captured and for two months was incarcerated in Andersonville prison. The first battle in which he participated was at Shiloh, and he went through the entire service with the western army, including the Vicksburg campaign and the celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea. He was discharged and mustered out at Davenport, and with a creditable military record of which he has every reason to be proud he returned to his home in Camanche. Soon afterward, however, he again went south, and spent three years in Texas. On the expiration of that period he returned to this county, and has since engaged in farming and gardening, his attention being now largely given to the latter pursuit, whereby he makes a good living.

In 1881 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Goddard and Miss Addie Winne, a daughter of Edmund and Harriet N. (Nichols) Winne, early settlers of the county and well-known farming people. Mrs. Goddard’s father was a soldier of the late war, enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He died while in the service. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard have become the parents of five children, and the family circle remains unbroken by death. In order of birth they are Clarence E., Winne L., Leland Charles, Harriett and Reuben H. Mrs. Goddard is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Goddard gives his political support to the Republican party and is deeply interested in its welfare, but has never been an aspirant for office. He owns property in Camanche, including his pleasant home, and throughout the community is known as a reliable business man, whose life is consistent with honorable principles.