Untitled Document

Henry L. Goold

Dealer in fine furniture, pianos and organs, at Kewanee , Ill. , was born in Knox County , this State, Dec. 26, 1850 . His parents, Sylvester and Ella T. (Macklin) Goold, natives of Vermont and Delaware respectively, reared a family of two sons and one daughter, Henry being the eldest. Sylvester Goold was for many years a merchant in Galva, and carried on farming and stock trading pretty extensively at the same time. In 1877 he removed to San Benito Co., Cal. , where he has since been engaged in the life-stock business.

The subject of this sketch was brought up on his father’s farm and liberally educated at common schools, graduating at the Galva High School in 1869, and subsequently spending two years at the Evanston University . In the spring of 1872 he went to California and remained about three years teaching school, keeping books and civil-engineering. Returning to Illinois in 1875, he at once formed a partnership with a Mr. Fairbanks, and engaged in his present business. In 1879 a third party was admitted to the firm, changing the style to Fairbanks, Goold and Blanchard, and in 1881 Mr. Goold became sole proprietor. In addition to the furniture and musical instrument business, he is the most extensive undertaker in the village. He is largely interested in agriculture in Iowa and Nebraska ; is a stockholder in the “Haxtun Steam Heater Works,” Kewanee, and also in the First National Bank of Kewanee, that place. For so young a man, Mr. Goold’s success has been decidedly flattering. Not a cent has been given him. What he has he has worked for. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In April, 1875, he was married at Galva , Ill. , to Miss Florence F. Hurd, who died in 1881, aged about 28 years, leaving three children: Ellen Frances, Theodore, Fred and Harry. Feb. 5, 1884 , at Kewanee, Mr. Goold contracted a second marriage, the lady being Miss Matilda Wentworth, the accomplished daughter of John Wentworth, Esq., retired contractor and builder, formerly of Maine , but has made his home in Kewanee since 1881.

1885 Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry Co., Illinois page 552

Transcribed by Jan Roggy

Illinois Ancestors