Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

GOOD,
FRANKLIN H., (DR.)

p. 1348

Surnames: GOOD, PIPER, FASTNACHT, ARMSTRONG

Dr. Franklin H. Good, physician of Reading, resides at No. 1012
Greenwich street.

Benneville Good, the father of the Doctor, was
for some years engaged in teaming between Pittsburg and
Philadelphia, and his death occurred in 1871, at the age of
sixty-two years. He also raised flax for some time and engaged in
spinning, but in his later years he gave up all active work, and
for some time prior to his death lived a retired life. He and his
wife had a large family of children, four of whom survive, as
follow: Amelia, wife of Henry Piper, is of Jonestown, Lebanon
county; Amanda, wife of Henry Fastnacht, lives on a farm in Lebanon
county adjoining the old home; Mary, widow of Ephraim Armstrong,
who was for many years treasurer of the Reading school board,
resides in Reading; and Dr. Franklin H.

Dr. Franklin H. Good has four children; Benjamin
F., Robert G., Sadie I., and William C. He is fraternally connected
with the Eagles and the Foresters.

GOOD,
JEFFERSON T.

p. 1649

Surnames: GOOD, KAYLOR, BRUBAKER, GANTZ, HAMILTON, RUTHERFORD,
HAUSEAL, BAKER, FALLSTROM, LAWSON

Jefferson T. Good, a prominent business man of the borough of
Womelsdorf, Berks county, Pa., of which he is serving as a
councilman, was born March 19. 1871, near Mount Joy, Lancaster
county, son of Jefferson T. and Catherine (Kaylor) Good.

Jacob G. Good, the grandfather of Jefferson T.
Jr., was born in Rapho township, where he spent his life in
carpentering and farming, and where

he died in the house which he had commenced
housekeeping and which he had built, at the age of sixty-seven
years in 1888. He owned a small farm of forty acres, and was highly
esteemed in his community. Mr. Good was buried at Mt. Joy cemetery,
Bishop Jacob Brubaker of the Mennonite Church preaching his funeral
sermon. He was for many years a school director, also holding other
township offices, and in his death the community lost an
intelligent, valuable citizen. Mr. Good married Catherine Gantz,
and to this union there were born six children: Jefferson T., Sr.;
Monroe, of Allentown; Aaron, of Elizabethtown; Almira, who married
James Hamilton of Lebanon; Henry, of Ida Grove, Ia.; and Albert C.,
who died at Ida Grove, Ia., at the age of twenty-seven years.

Jefferson T. Good, Sr., was born in 1842 in
Rapho township, Lancaster county, where he died Nov. 20, 1870,
having been engaged in school-teaching for five terms at the time
of his death. Mr. Good was buried at Mount Joy cemetery. He was a
useful and exemplary citizen, and had hosts of friends throughout
his community. Mr. Good married Catherine Kaylor, born in 1840, who
now resides at Bainbridge, Lancaster county, being well preserved
in body and mind, and has been again married, her husband being
James Rutherford. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Good:
Lizzie, who married Wesley Hauseal, of Bainbridge, a quarryman; and
Jefferson T., Jr.

Jefferson T. Good, was educated in the schools
of Rapho township and the Mount Joy High school, which he left at
the age of seventeen years, and then spent three years in work upon
the farm In 1891 he learned the baking trade at Middletown, Dauphin
county, with C. H. Baker, with whom he continued for five years,
and in 1896 located in Womelsdorf, where he established himself in
the baking business, which he has carried on very successfully to
the present time. Mr. Good employs seven assistants, two teams and
a commissioned wagon, and his cakes, pretzels, bread and pastry
find a ready sale throughout the surrounding country. His plant is
furnished with the latest improved machinery, and measures are
taken to insure strict cleanliness and purity.

Mr. Good is a stanch Republican, and in 1905 his
fellow citizens honored him by electing him to the office of
borough councilman, and he was council president for one year.
Since Jan. 1, 1906, he has served as one of the county registers of
the vital statistics, to which position he was appointed by Health
Commissioner of Pennsylvania Dixon. Fraternally Mr. Good is
connected with Elizabethtown Lodge No. 128, I. O. O. F. He and his
family are Lutheran members of St. Peter’s Church of Middletown,
Pa.

On May 21, 1898, Mr. Good was united in marriage
with Emma Fallstrom, daughter of Charles and Christina (Lawson)
Fallstrom, of Middletown.

GOOD,
WILLIAM A.

p. 347

Surnames: GOOD, ECKERT

William A. Good, first County Superintendent of Public Schools of
Berks county, from 1854 to 1860, was born in Philadelphia in 1810.
He was educated in the Reading Academy, studied theology in the
Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church at York, Pa., and was
regularly ordained and licensed to preach in 1833. Soon afterward
he accepted a call from the Reformed Church at Hagerstown, Md.,
where he officiated as pastor for several years. From that
congregation he went to Mercersburg, Pa., to serve as rector of the
Preparatory Department of Marshall College. After remaining there
six years, he returned to Hagerstown and served as principal of the
Hagerstown Academy for five years. He was then called to the
pastorate of the Reformed Church at York, Pa., in which field he
labored earnestly for six years.

He next removed to Reading and assumed charge of
a select school for young ladies. At the expiration of the fifth
year he became principal of the Reading Institute and Normal
School, and remained there three years. In the meantime he was
elected superintendent of the common schools of Berks county, being
the first to fill that office. Most of the people of the county
were members of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches, and averse to
the new order of things. It was feared that in the rural districts
the superintendent would encounter much opposition, but he
understood the peculiarities of the people, and instead of raising
a storm of opposition won their confidence and support, and he was
re-elected for a second term. While thus engaged in the school
affairs of the county, he also officiated as pastor of the
Bernville, North Heidelberg and Princeton congregations, serving
these churches altogether for eight years. He was one of the most
zealous Sunday school workers in Berks county, and while
superintendent of the common schools, endeavored, in his private
intercourse with the people, to interest them in the cause of
Sunday schools, in this manner coming to be instrumental in
founding many of the Sunday schools of the county. He was one of
the founders of St. John’s Reformed Mission Sunday school, and this
he conducted with the aid of his wife for nearly six years, and it
eventually became a self-supporting and flourishing congregation.

The Rev. Mr. Good married in 1840, Susan B.
Eckert, daughter of Peter and Susan Eckert, of Womelsdorf, Berks
county. He died in 1873. He had two sons, William Eckert and James
Isaac.

GOODHART,
REUBEN

p. 1510

Surnames: GOODHART, HOTTENSTEIN, BEIDLER, BRIGHT, SCHELL,
HALBEISEN, SMITH

Reuben Goodhart, one of Reading’s venerable citizens, who enjoys
the distinction of being the oldest ex-chief of police in the
United States, is a native of Reading, born Oct. 18, 1818.

His paternal grandfather was John Goodhart, a
farmer and miller in Robeson township. He and his wife, whose
maiden name was Mary Hottenstein, were both members of the German
Reformed Church, and in politics John Goodhart was a Democrat. They
had eight children, John; Joshua; William; Barbara; Hettie; Susan;
Jacob and Mary.

Jacob Goodhart, son of John, was born in Exeter
township, and was there given a good common school education. Early
in life he learned to make shoes, and when twenty-one years old
established himself at Reading, where the rest of his life was
spent carrying on his trade. He married Miss Mary Beidler and they
had fifteen children, fourteen of whom lived to maturity. The
father and the mother were devout members of the Reformed Church.

Reuben Goodhart, eldest child of Jacob and Mary,
attended the common and subscription schools of Reading and while
still in his teens learned to follow his father’s trade of
shoemaking. He gave his whole attention to this work for twenty
years, but at the end of that time gave it up and became baggage
master for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company. Later he
served for fifteen years as a railroad police officer. He was also
at one time elected chief of police for the city, filling that
position for several years. In 1880 he was made tipstaff at the
Berks county court house, and has held that office ever since. In
spite of his advanced age, he is still enjoying unimpaired
faculties, and is as active as many men much younger than he. In
1840 Mr. Goodhart was married to Miss Elizabeth Bright, and they
have had four children, Frederick, Reuben, Charlotte and Ellis. In
religion the family are connected with the German Reformed Church.
In politics Mr. Goodhart is a lifelong Democrat. He has also been
for many years a member of the I. O. O. F., and joined Montgomery
Lodge in 1845. He is now the only surviving member of that lodge,
having lived to pay the death claim of every other man on its
rolls. He also belongs to the K. P. and for fifteen years was
treasurer of his lodge. Mr. Goodhart is naturally very well known
in Reading from his long residence there, and is held in universal
esteem.

Reuben Goodhart (2), son of Reuben, was engaged
in the produce business in Reading, where he died in 1886. He was
buried in Aulenbach’s cemetery. His widow, whose maiden name was
Mary Schell, now resides at No. 431 North Ninth street, with her
son Reuben D. To this union were born six children, as follows:
Amanda, Albert, Annie, Reuben D., William and Charles.

Reuben D. Goodhart, son of Reuben (2) and
grandson of the former chief of police, was born in Reading in
1870. He attended the public schools, and after obtaining a good
common-school education learned the trade of painter and
paper-hanger with H. A. Halbeisen, with whom he remained four
years. He then spent eight years as a journeyman, after which he
engaged in business at his present location. He has built up a good
trade, and has met with success, due to his upright business
methods and his artistic workmanship.

Mr. Goodhart married Sarah A. Smith, daughter of
Aaron Smith. Four children were born to this union, as follows:
Arthur, Lewis, Elsie and Reuben, Jr. In politics Mr. Goodhart is a
Democrat, and in 1908 he was elected as assessor for the Eleventh
ward. He is a member of the Hampden Fire Company and Northeastern
Democrat Association. His religious connection is with St. Luke’s
Lutheran church. Mr. Goodhart is well-known and popular.

GOODHART, VICTOR L.

p.
1246

Surnames: GOODHART, LEVAN, KLINE, LIVINGOOD, BATZ, BRIDENSTINE,
SCHEARER, DUNKLEBERGER, STONER, GIFT, HECKMAN

Victor L. Goodhart, an enterprising young business man of
Stonersville, where he has served as postmaster since December,
1905, was born June 30, 1878, near Herzog’s Mill, in Exeter
township, son of Amos K. and Ellen S. (Levan) Goodhart.

John Neikirch Goodhart, the grandfather of
Victor L., was born in Exeter township, son of William Goodhart,
and followed agricultural pursuits all his life, dying at an
advanced age. He married Sophia Kline, and to them were born five
children, as follows: Amos K., father of Victor L.; Sarah,
deceased, who was the wife of Frank Livingood, of Amity township;
Amelia; Alice, the wife of Harry Batz; and Elmer, of Exeter
township. Mr. Goodhart was a Democrat in politics and he and his
wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The parents of Victor L. Goodhart are both
natives of Exeter township, where they have spent their entire
lives in agricultural pursuits. The father is a Democrat, and has
served on the school board, and both parents are members of the
Schwartzwald Reformed Church. They have a family of five children:
Victor L.; Sallie, m. Jacob Bridenstine, of Amity township; Annie,
m. Edwin M. Schearer of Exeter township; Harry L., a milk dealer;
and Peter Neikirch, a carpenter.

Victor L. Goodhart was educated in the public
schools of Exeter township, and was reared on the home farm, after
leaving which he engaged in the milk business, conducting a milk
route to Reading for some time. For four years he was employed by
the Philadelphia & Reading railroad in the shops at Reading,
and then returned to his milk business, which he continued until
1906, being compelled to give it up in this year to give all of his
attention to his growing store business.

In December, 1905, Mr. Goodhart purchased the
stock and good will of William Dunkleberger, at Stonersville, a
store founded by George Stoner, since whose time it has change
hands repeatedly. Since taking hold of this business, Mr. Goodhart
has increased the stock of goods two-fold, and has gained the
confidence of a large and growing trade by his good business which
he has followed for five years, and in the winter and spring of
1906-1907 conducted fifty-two sales, having one every day of
February with the exception of Sundays. In politics he is a
Democrat, has been delegate to several county conventions, judge
and inspector of elections, and now, in addition to being
postmaster, is serving his second term as a member and past officer
of Bobolink Tribe, No. 179, I. O. R. M., of Yellow House; and
Washington Camp No. 230, P. O. S. of A., of St. Lawrence, also
claims him as a member. He is a member of Schwartzwald Reformed
Church, and a trustee of Stonersville Union Sunday-school, and his
wife a member of the Oley Lutheran Church.

On Oct. 9, 1897, Mr. Goodhart was married to
Miss Aquilla H. Gift, daughter of John M. and Annie (Heckman) Gift,
and they have a family of seven children: Harry G., Martha G.,
George G., Victor G., Annie E., Raymond G. and Clarence G.

GOODMAN,
DANIEL

p. 1216

Surnames: GOODMAN, ALLISON, SEIFERT, KOCH, GROTEVENT, RHEIN,
SHIREY, REEDY

Daniel Goodman, of Reading, who has spent practically all of his
life as a wheelwright, was born July 27, 1841, in that city, son of
John and Catherine (Allison) Goodman, and grandson of Jacob
Goodman.

John Goodman, who was born at Eighth and
Franklin streets, Reading, learned the wheelwright business in his
father’s shop, and followed that occupation for a period of
fifty-two years, when he retired and purchased a farm to which his
attention was given the rest of his life. He married Catherine
Allison, daughter of John Allison, and to them were born nine
children, as follows: Mary died in infancy; Henry; Catherine,
deceased, m. Joseph Seifert; Jacob is deceased; Maria died single;
Eliza; Sarah m. James Koch; Daniel; and Amanda m. Frederick
Grotevent. In religious belief the family were adherents of the
faith of the Reformed Church. Mr. Goodman was a Democrat in
politics.

Daniel Goodman received his education in the
schools of his native locality, and when a boy learned the trade of
wheelwright with his father. He has worked at that occupation up to
the present time with the exception of six years, three years of
which were spent as a member of the water board and three years in
boat-building. For fifteen years Mr. Goldman has been engaged in
business on his own account and in his line is well and favorably
known.

At the age of nineteen years Mr. Goodman married
(first) Amanda Rhein, and they had five children: Howard L., who is
engaged in baking in Reading; Kate H. m. to Milton Shirey; Annie
E., a teacher in the Reading high school; Ralph A., deceased; and
Paul E. Mr. Goodman m. (second) Amelia Reedy, by whom he has had
one child, Daniel A., a pattern maker. Mr. Goodman is a Democrat in
politics, and he resides at No. 405 Laurel street, in the First
ward.

GOODMAN,
JAMES

p. 1479

Surnames: GOODMAN, BORKERT, MAERZ, HARTMAN, PEIFER, SCULL, GEHRIS

James Goodman, a resident of Springmont, Berks county, engaged in
the raising of poultry and squabs for the market, was born in
Reading, Pa., Aug. 5, 1844, and lived in that city until he came to
his present place of residence a few years ago. He received his
education in the public schools of his native city.

In 1899 Mr. Goodman built the handsome Colonial
residence at the northeast corner of Penn and Keppel streets, in
Springmont, which he and his family have since occupied, and since
settling in this place he has carried on the business of poultry
and squab raising, which has proved a great success. His
establishment is first-class and modern in every respect, and
everything about the place is in irreproachable condition. The
“Springmont Poultry Yard,” as it is known, is commodious and well
equipped. Mr. Goodman having his own chop and corn mills, and other
appliances for conveniently dispatching the work. He has four large
brooders, and his brooder house is lighted by electricity. His lot
has a frontage of 100 feet on Penn avenue, and is 200 feet wide at
the back, with a depth of 190 feet. Mr. Goodman raises from two
thousand to three thousand pigeons annually, all of which he
markets in Reading.

Mr. Goodman is well known in Reading, where he
belongs to Progressive Lodge, No. 470, I. O. O. F., and Mount Penn
Encampment; he joined the Junior Fire Company in 1861, and is now a
member of the Veteran Fire Association. In political faith he is a
Democrat. He is an upright and respected citizen, worthy of the
esteem in which he is held.

On April 20, 1873, Mr. Goodman was married to
Amanda Borkert. of Reading, and they have two children: William J.,
born Feb. 20, 1874, married Charlotte Maerz and has one daughter,
Mary; Daniel R., born Jan. 14, 1876, married Mary Hartman, and has
one daughter, Grace Marian. Mr. Goodman and his family are members
of Trinity Lutheran Church of Reading.

Peter Goodman, father of James Goodman, was born
in Reading in 1805 and there passed his life, following his trade
of wheelwright at the corner of Fourth and Washington streets. In
his later years he farmed a number of lots in and around Reading.
He was a stanch Democrat in politics, and served as a member of the
city council. He lived to the age of sixty-five years, dying Aug.
20, 1870, and buried in the Charles Evans cemetery. Mr. Goodman’s
wife, Anna Peifer, came from York, Pa., and died May 2, 1873. They
had a family of five children, three sons and two daughters,
namely: Susan, who married Samuel Scull, of Reading; David J., a
resident of Reading; Emma, wife of James Gehris, of Reading, James;
and Edward, of Reading.

Jacob Goodman, father of Peter and grandfather
of James, served a term as commissioner of Berks county. His
father, also named Jacob Goodman, was according to tradition one of
the most athletic men of his day, and a man of humane disposition.
He did service during the war of the Revolution, being quartered at
various points throughout the Colony of New Jersey, was at
Germantown, and was in camp at Valley Forge during the severe
winter of 1777.

The first ancestors of the Goodman family in
America were natives of the Palatinate, whence they emigrated as
far back as 1730. They settled in the lower section of Berks
county, in the Oley Valley.

GOODMAN,
JOHN E.

p. 773

Surnames: GOODMAN, SHEARER, ALLISON, KOCH, BREIDEGAM, HARBSTER,
MATHIAS, FEHR,

John E. Goodman, of Reading, comes from a family resident in Berks
county since the close of the Revolutionary war. So far as can be
ascertained the first of the name came to this country in 1780,
landing at Philadelphia and eventually setting in Oley township,
Berks county.

Jacob Goodman, great-grandfather of John E., the
first of the family born in America, passed his early years in Oley
township, his birthplace, but on reaching manhood settled in
Reading, on property now owned by Joseph Shearer, at the corner of
Eighth and Franklin streets. Throughout his active life he followed
his calling of a wheelwright, and he died in reading aged sixty-two
years.

John Goodman, son of Jacob, was born in Reading,
and as he grew up he adopted his father’s trade. For a year he was
located at the corner of Liberty (then Court) and Eighth streets,
and then removed to Franklin and Lemon streets, where he remained
until 1854, and in that year retired from business. He was
interested in politics as a stanch Democrat, and served as
councilman from the eastern district. John Goodman married Miss
Catherine Allison, of Reading, and they became the parents of nine
children, namely: Mary, who died when a year and a half old; Henry;
Catherine; Jacob; Maria; Eliza; Sarah, widow of James Koch; Daniel
and Amanda. Mr. Goodman died March 13, 1875, aged seventy-three
years, five months and fifteen days; his wife survived him and died
March 14, 1881.

Jacob Goodman was born in Reading in 1830, and
received a common school education. At first he carried on the
family traditions by learning the trade of a wheelwright, but later
he engaged in the butchering business, and was occupied in that
line most of his life. His first butcher shop was on North Ninth
street, near Penn, and he moved from there to Thirteenth street.
Then followed an interval of four years which Mr. Goodman spent in
Dover, Del., engaged in the lumber and cattle business, but in 1874
he returned to Reading, resumed the butcher’s trade, and for
seventeen years carried it on at Franklin and Peach streets. In
1891 he took up an entirely new occupation, going into the hotel
business, and during seven years he ran the “Union House” on Penn
street, meeting with the same success in this enterprise, which had
attended his earlier efforts. In 1898 he retired, and from that
time until his death July 7, 1902, he was burdened by no heavy
responsibilities but was free to enjoy quietly his last years.

Jacob Goodman was married Dec. 14, 1851, to
Elizabeth Breidegam who survives her husband, and lives with the
son, John E. Three children were born to them, but the two younger
ones, Clara and Samuel, twins, both died. Mr. Goodman was a Mason,
a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 227. Like his father he took a keen
interest in political questions, was a strong Democrat, and was
chosen to help direct municipal affairs, being the representative
of the Third ward in both the common and select councils. He was
well known in the city, and had many friends and left the record of
a successful and well spent life.

John E. Goodman was born July 30, 1856, while
the family were sojourning at Temple, Berks county. He grew up in
Reading, attended the public schools, and then learned the
butcher’s business under his father. But he did not make this his
permanent occupation, and instead took a position with the National
Brass & Iron Works, where he was employed as a shipping clerk
for thirteen years. At the present time Mr. Goodman is employed in
the Mohn Hat Factory.

In 1883, Mr. Goodman married Miss Annie R.
Harbster, of Reading, daughter of the late William and Ellen
(Mathias) Harbster. Their only child is a daughter, Clara, now the
wife of George N. Fehr. Mr. Fehr is a member of the firm of John N.
Fehr & Son, dealers in leaf tobacco, Reading. Since 1877 Mr.
Goodman has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to
Chandler Lodge, No. 227. His residence is at no. 824 Franklin
street.