My Genealogy Hound

Col. D. L. Goodall, present clerk of the county court of Trousdale County, and a son of David and Tobitha (Clark) Goodall, was born in Smith County, now Trousdale, in 1823. He was the sixth of ten children who lived to be grown, only two of whom are now living. The father was a native of Virginia, born about 1781 and grew to manhood in his native State. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Davis. He removed to Smith County at a very early day and resumed his agricultural pursuits which he followed up to the time of his death in 1856. The mother was also a native of Virginia. She was a worthy member of the Christian Church, as was also her husband, and died in 1851. Our subject was reared at home on the farm, and received his education in the common schools of the county. Upon reaching his majority he came to Hartsville and acted as a clerk in a dry goods store at that place until the war with Mexico when he enlisted in Company F, First Tennessee, of the Polk Guards, commanded by ex-Gov. W. B. Campbell. He took part in the battles of Monterey, siege of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and several sharp skirmishes. At the end of his enlistment (one year) he returned to Hartsville and engaged in the mercantile business which he continued up to the civil war. He then organized Company F, Second Confederate Tennessee Regiment, of which he was made captain and at the organization of the regiment at Nashville he was elected lieutenant-colonel and acted in that capacity until the battle of Shiloh when he took command of the regiment after Col. Bate (Maj. Doak was killed) was wounded. After that battle he was discharged on account of ill health. He then returned home and again engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he followed for several years, after which he returned to his earlier employment of farming and continued until 1878, when he was elected to the office of county clerk. He has held this position to the general satisfaction of the people ever since, having been twice re-elected. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat and cast his first presidential voted for James K. Polk in 1844 He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity.