Parker J. Gooddale

Among the attractive country homes of Center township is that owned by Parker J. Goodale, which is surrounded by three hundred and fifteen acres of productive land, located on sections 22 and 23. Mr. Goodale is a native of Ohio, born on a farm in Crawford county, September 21, 1837. His parents were Elizur and Annie B. (Stebbins) Goodale, the former born in Vermont in1806 and the latter in Massachusetts in the same year. They were married in the latter state in 1832 and the following year journeyed to Ohio, where they lived until September, 1853, when, believing that better opportunities were offered to the agriculturist in the middle west, Elizur Goodale, with his family, consisting of wife and three children, removed to Cedar county, Iowa. The journey to this county was made in a covered wagon and a buggy, the trip requiring three weeks. He located on a portion of the farm which is now owned by our subject and here erected a good country home in 1856 which house is still standing on the place. In his early life Mr. Goodale dressed cloth in a factory in Massachusetts but after removing to Ohio cleared a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he continued after coming to Cedar county, Iowa. He was a democrat until the Civil war broke out, after which he gave his support to the republican party. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian church and were numbered among the highly respected pioneers of this section of the state. As above stated, their family numbered three children: Mrs. Lucy C. Hall, who is deceased; Parker J., of this review; and Marvin N., who has also passed away. The parents died several years ago, the father passing away in 1900, while the mother was called to the home beyond in 1891.

Parker J. Goodale was reared in the Buckeye state to the age of sixteen years and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, the farm on which they located being his home to the present time. He has, however, added to this tract until the place now embraces three hundred and fifteen acres, on sections 22 and 23, Center township. In 1862 he erected a dwelling on the farm and the one which his father erected a few years previous is likewise standing. There are also substantial buildings on the place for the shelter of grain and stock and everything is kept in good condition, while the fields annually yield rich harvests inreturn for the labor bestowed upon them. In addition to his home farm Mr. Goodale also owns one hundred and sixtyacres in the state of Wyoming. He has made farming his life work and is still actively connected with agricultural interests but he is assisted in his work by his son. He well deserves the competency which he now enjoys, for he has gained his success only by the most honorable methods.

Mr. Goodale was married January 28, 1862, to Miss Mary E. McCracken, who was born in Center township, in October, 1842. Her parents, Alfred and Lucy (Howe) McCracken, removed to Cedar county from Illinois about 1838 and thus became identified with the pioneer life of this section of the state. Both are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Goodale have been born eleven children, as follows: Elmer E., who resides on the home farm, occupying the house which was built by his father; J. Curtis, who died in his ninth year; Joseph W., who makes his home in Tipton; Minnie E., the widow of A. B. Collar, of Center township; Hattie J., who became the wife of Frank Mayer and died at the age of twenty years; Perry, who died at the age of one year; Parker L., who died in infancy; Arthur, who died when a year old; Annie M., the wife of B. B. Long, a resident of Center township; Ira E., at home; and Julia P., the wife of W. W. Lowe, a resident of Michigan. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1866 at the comparatively early age of forty-four years.

Since 1858, the year in which Mr. Goodale attained his majority, he has voted for every presidential candidate on the republican ticket. He has held some local offices. He is a member of the Freewill Baptist church in Mount Zion and at the present time is serving as deacon. He has now passed the seventy-third milestone on the journey of life. His history illustrates what may be accomplished by tireless energy, keen perception and a genius for devising and executing plans, which have worked not only for his own good but for the good of others. While he has met with success in his undertakings, it has not been alone the end for which he has striven, for at the same time he has found opportunity to cooperate in movements and projects which have furthered the intellectual, moral, political and social interests of the community.