Goodfellow, John 1845-1940

GOODFELLOW, CAMERON, DAVIS, PRESTON, BENTHAM, HALSEY, TADE, MCLEAN, TALBOTT, GRAHAM, MCGREGOR, MURRISON, RUDE, HALL

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/13/2011 at 12:37:26

The Grinnell Herald-Register; March 28, 1940

END OF THE TRAIL FOR JOHN GOODFELLOW

Funeral Services At Congregational Church This afternoon.

John Goodfellow laid down the heavy burden of this life on Wednesday morning, when he passed away in a local hospital, where he had been a patient ever since he broke his hip in a fall in his home a little over a month ago. He was aged 94 years, 11 months and 7 days and had been a resident of Poweshiek county and Grinnell since 1868, almost the span of an ordinary man's life.

Funeral services conducted by Professor J.D. Stoops, assisted by Rev. Leland W. Mann, were held from the Congregational church at 3:00 o'clock this afternoon. Mrs. Margery Bouma sang "My Aline Countree" and "Abide With Me," accompanied by Mrs. Mabel Blair Macy. Pallbearers were James Buswell, F.F. Clindinin, Carl E. Child, John C. Manly, Charles E. Dexter and Ross V. Coutts. Honorary pallbearers were C.A. Blair, J.J. Corrough, G.H. Hamlin, J.H. McMurray, Professor E.B.T. Spencer and D.H. Thomas. Mrs. E.S. Evans was in charge of the flowers. Burial was in Hazelwood cemetery.

BORN IN CANADA.

Mr. Goodfellow was born near Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada, April 20, 1845, the son of Robert and Mary Cameron Goodfellow. Both of his parents were born in Scotland. He began his long career in Poweshiek county when he left Canada in 1868 and became a naturalized citizen in 1872. He had made his home in the United States for a period of 72 years.

The year 1872 was a big year in Mr. Goodfellow's life, since on Dec. 18 of that year he was united in marriage with Hannah Melinda Davis, who remained his faithful companion until her death on June 18, 1934, aged 88 years, 5 months and 26 days. Mrs. Goodfellow was a sister of H.I. Davis, remembered by Grinnell old timers as "Tip" Davis and was an aunt of Mrs. V.G. Preston and Mrs. Edith Bentham. To Mr. and Mrs. Goodfellow was born a daughter, Mrs. Flora Goodfellow Halsey, now a resident of Los Angeles, who was unable to be present for the funeral today. He is also survived by a grandson, Donald Halsey of Los Angeles, and a great grandson, Dennis Halsey, two nieces, Miss Mary C. Goodfellow of Toronto, Canada, the last of the name, and Mrs. Frank Tade of Sacramento, Calif., and a nephew, Archie McLean of Burley, Idaho.

Other near relatives include Mr. and Mrs. V.G. Preston, Mrs. Edith Bentham, Harry, Glenn and Wilbur Davis, Mrs. A.D. Talbott, the Brownlie Graham family, Mrs. Effa McGregor of Brooklyn, the Murrison brothers of Brooklyn, Mrs. Ena Rude of Perry, and Andrew Graham of Marshalltown. Harrison Hall of Brooklyn is an old friend.

MOVES TO GRINNELL.

When Mr. Goodfellow first came to Poweshiek county he was a farmer. At first he rented and a little later he bought a farm north of Malcom. He remained on the farm until he moved to Grinnell in 1891 and entered the meat business in partnership with the late John Flook in the location now occupied by the Center market. This partnership continued for ten years. The business was profitable and the partners were congenial. When he first came to town Mr. Goodfellow bought the former Charles Craver home, at that time one of Grinnell's finest mansions, which occupied the entire block where the Community hospital now stands. In connection with his meat business he also operated what was known as the Sherman farm northeast of Grinnell, which he owned, and in the course of his long life he also acquired other extensive real estate holdings.

ORIGINAL STOCK HOLDER.

When the Citizens National Bank was organized in 1904 he was one of the original stockholders and was actively identified with the bank until its consolidation with the Poweshiek County National Bank a few years ago. Since then he has lived in retirement.

Since the death of Mrs. Goodfellow he has lived alone in the residence at the corner of Fourth avenue and High street, where they had lived together for many years. As the infirmites of age came upon him he seldom left the place and kind neighbors and friends assisted in caring for him in his days of increasing feebleness. During the summer days he spent much time sitting quietly on his front porch and in these passive hours, as he brooded over the events of a long and active life, the spirit of his beloved companion was never far from his thoughts. Two people are so rarely one as these two. In life they were inseparable and even in death they were not divided.

The death of John Goodfellow removes another of the few remaining real pioneers, who saw Grinnell grow and helped to build it. His memory will remain with those who knew him in his active days and who will recall the twinkle in his eye and the canny Scotch wit which he often displayed. He lived long and well and he rests in peace.