MARTIN GOODALE

Martin Goodale, a worthy citizen and highly respected farmer living on section 16, Linn township, is the owner of a farm of one hundred and fifty-one acres. The promises of early spring find fulfillment in the autumn harvests and aside from the cultivation of the fields he derives a good income from stock-raising. He belongs to that younger generation who have followed the pioneers in their work of developing the county—a generation that has wrought modern and progressive business lines, bringing the county up to its present high standard of improvement and progress. Mr. Goodale was born in Center township, August 11, 1867, and is a son of Joseph Goodale, whose birth occurred in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1826. The paternal grandfather, Marvin Goodale, was a native of Vermont but was reared in Connecticut. He afterward went to Virginia and later removed to Crawford county, Ohio, where he followed farming and reared his family. The year 1852 witnessed his arrival in Cedar county, Iowa, at which time he purchased farming land. His last years were here passed and the county numbered him among its representative citizens.

Joseph Goodale was largely reared in Ohio and when a young man came with his father to Iowa, where he soon established his position as an enterprising farmer and reliable business man. He was married here to Miss Mary Robinson, who was born and reared in Indiana. He located in Center township, where he opened up a farm of two hundred acres. The greater part of the land was still uncultivated when it came into his possession, being covered with native prairie grasses but he soon broke the sod and prepared the soil for the seed. In the course of time good crops were harvested and gratifying financial returns rewarded the efforts of the owner. Mr. Goodale spent his last years upon his farm, passing away in1882. In their family were three sons and two daughters who reached adult age: Laura, now the wife of George Stuckenbruck, a farmer of Calhoun county, Iowa; Martin of this review; Lester, who owns and carries on the old home farm; Orin, who reached adult age but met death by drowning in 1887; Aurora, who for years was a very successful teacher and was then elected and served for two terms as county superintendent of schools, but died in August, 1909, at the residence of her brother Martin.

Upon the home farm in Center township Martin Goodale spent his youthful days. He knew the pleasure of boyhood sports andperformed the tasks assigned him in the district schools in the acquirement of an education. Neither was his training at farm labor meager for from early youth he assisted his father and after the latter’s deathlargely aided his mother, taking charge of and carrying on the home farm after he had attained his majority. He early learned the value of industry and perseverance and through these substantial qualities he has gained success as the years have gone by.

Mr. Goodale was married in Center township, February 7, 1894, to Miss Charlotte Shearer, who was born and reared in this county and was a teacher prior to her marriage. She is a daughter of John Shearer, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, who learned and followed the miller’s trade. When a young man he learned of the inducements offered by the new world and sought the opportunities and advantages to be found on this side of the Atlantic. He was married in Iowa to Miss Sarah Church, a native of Cedar county and a daughter of Moses B. Church, one of the pioneer settlers of this region. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Goodale has beenborn one son, Harlan M. Following their marriage Mr. Goodale operated the home farm until the spring of 1902 when he removed to Stanwood and purchased a farm in Dayton township. He there built a good residence with substantial barns and a double crib. He also set out a small orchard and carried onfarming there until 1906 when he sold that property and purchased the place upon which he now resides, taking up his abode thereon in 1908. He has since done much repair work, bringing the entire farm into good condition. He practices the rotation of crops and follows modern methods in keeping the soil productive. With his farmwork he raises and feeds stock and has some pure blooded Aberdeen Angus cattle and others of high grade. He is a member of the Aberdeen-Angus Association and regards this breed of cattle as among the best. He also raises and fattens hogs, selling a large number each year.

While Mr. Goodale gives the greater part of his time and attention to his farming interests he is not neglectful of the duties of citizenship and on political questions keeps well informed. He has served as a delegate to county conventions but does not desire office for himself. His entire life has been spent in Cedar county and his good qualities have gained him the favorable regard and commendation of friends and neighbors. He is a man of good business ability and has ever recognized the fact that in business affairs and in every relation of life honesty is the best policy. He therefore has the confidence and esteem of the entire community.