My Genealogy Hound

Josiah Goodman, lumber and grain dealer at Olean, Mo., and also stock dealer and farmer, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1832, his parents being Daniel and Elizabeth (Charles) Goodman, who were born in Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. The father was taken by his parents to Ohio when two years of age, and was there reared to manhood and married. He went by boat to New Orleans a number of times, and walked back to his home in Ohio as many as three times. He took quite an active part in the history of Ohio, and became a wealthy farmer. He died in 1866, his wife having passed away one year earlier. John Goodman, the grandfather, was a German who came to America when a young man, locating first in Pennsylvania and afterward in Ohio, where he spent his declining years. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Charles, was born in Ohio. Josiah Goodman was educated in the district schools of Ross County, and began farming for himself in his native State. August 24, 1858, he was married to Mary Elizabeth Immell, a daughter of Elias and Elizabeth (Dunn) Immell. The latter was born in Delaware, and emigrated to Ohio at an early day (about 1824), where she met and married Mr. Immell, who was born in that State. The latter died December 25, 1856, but the mother is still living, and resides in Chillicothe. After his marriage Mr. Goodman moved to Miller County, Mo., and purchased a partly improved farm of 300 acres, on which was a small log cabin. He commenced improving his land, set out an orchard, and some years later erected a good frame residence, and by good management owns 435 acres of land in Moniteau, Miller and Pettis Counties, and has improved a farm near Sedalia. He erected a good hotel at Spring Garden, which he has since sold, and also erected a mill in 1866, then known as Goodman’s Mill, but now known as the Buckeye Mill. In partnership with P. Myers, he conducted this mill for thirteen years. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and was on garrison duty at Jefferson City, and was captain of a company. In 1863, while at home, he was surrounded by the bushwhackers and all his money, clothing and stock were taken from him. They made his life so miserable that he went to California, Mo., where he remained six months, and then returned to his home. He has taken quite an active interest in politics, and for a number of years voted the Greenback ticket, but now affiliates with the Democrats. In 1863 he was appointed county judge by Gov. Gamble, and has since been a member of the school board. He belongs to Pleasant Mount Lodge No. 134, A. F. & A. M. He is one of the heaviest taxpayers of the district, and has done a great deal for the development of the county. Eight of the eleven children born to his marriage are living: Estella, who died November 5, 1865, at the age of five years, eleven months and twenty-nine days; Elizabeth (Mrs. Boyd Miller), Effie Jane (Mrs. Frazee); Franklin, who died September 14, 1869, aged three years, two months and nine days; Mary A.; Sophia, who died August 24, 1882, aged eight years, ten months; Charles, born January 30, 1873; Leona, born June 11, 1875; Josephine, born November 24, 1877; Samuel, born November 5, 1881, and John, born March 3, 1886.