My Genealogy Hound

FAIRFIELD GOODWIN, M. D., a successful general medical practitioner and skillful surgeon located in the city of Cassopolis, Cass County, Mich., has since 1874 engaged in an extended round of professional duty in and about his present field of labor. Dr. Fairfield Goodwin is a native of Madison County, N. Y., and, born May 12, 1835, was the third of the four children of his parents, Samuel M. and Almira (Atchison) Goodwin. The father was also a native of Madison County, and was born in 1805. When twenty-one years of age he began life for himself by journeying to the wilds of Michigan. He settled in Pontiac, Oakland County, and took up land at the Government price. A genuine pioneer, he was located at first upon the frontier of the West, but gradually the country yielded to emigration and at the time of his death, in 1840, the tilling of the soil had wrought a wondrous change. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Goodwin, was of Connecticut birth, but in later life removed to New York State. He served in the War of 1812, and was a man of courage and indomitable will, overcoming obstacles and winning success.

The great-grandfather, Fairfield Goodwin, in whose honor Dr. Goodwin was named, was one of six sons, all of whom served in the Revolutionary War, three of the brave brothers giving up their lives in the struggle for the independence of the Colonies. The mother of our subject, Almira Atchison, was born in what is now the city of Rochester, N. Y. Her paternal grandfather built the first gristmill within forty miles of that locality, and both he and her father were among the first settlers of Rochester. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, our subject without delay enlisted in the service of the Union, and the day after the firing on Ft. Sumter, upon April 15, 1861, he joined Taylor’s Chicago Battery, with which he remained in active duty for nineteen months. Dr. Goodwin participated in the battles of Belmont, Ft. Donelson, Springfield, Pea Ridge, Ft. Henry, Shiloh and Iuka. During the latter fight he was wounded and laid up for six months. Given a discharge furlough, he returned home and raised Company C, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and became Captain of the same. A prized memento of those troublous days is now one of the most precious possessions of our subject. This souvenir of the war is a magnificent sabre presented to Dr. Goodwin, January 20, 1863, by the officers and privates of his company. The company went at once into service, and taking part in the Morgan raid assisted in the capture of the rebel general. While engaged mostly in scouting service. Company C was for four weeks present at the siege of Knoxville, and fought in the East Tennessee campaign and also in Georgia.

Early in life Dr. Goodwin began the study of medicine and read under the guidance of Dr. Alden. At the death of his instructor he took up his practice and continued in the same locality for the seven succeeding years. At the end of this time our subject matriculated at the State University of Michigan, attended a three-years course in the medical department and there graduated with high honors. Returning to Cassopolis in 1874, he again devoted himself to the practice of his profession, whose demands have constantly engaged his time for the past nineteen years. His large practice has allowed the Doctor but little time for needed rest or recreation. He, however, fraternizes with leading societies, social and medical, taking a prominent place in each. He is a valued member of the Cass County Medical Society and has been President of the same for one year. He is associated with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is a member of Backus Lodge, of Cassopolis, Kingsbury Chapter, and is also one of the twelve Knights Templar of Niles Commandery. For many terms he has been Surgeon of Albert Anderson Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. During the second year of the Civil War Dr. Goodwin was, in 1862, united in marriage with Miss Mary Gordon, of Pontiac, Mich. Mrs. Goodwin was the daughter of Samuel Gordon, an early settler of the State. Our subject and his estimable wife were blessed by the birth of two daughters and one son. Carrie L. is Mrs. William Ellis, of Detroit. Belle married Henry Grant, of Syracuse, N. Y. The son, Charles L. Goodwin, is at present residing upon one of the fine fruit-farms owned by his father. The wife and mother departed this life September 17, 1872, and our subject was again united in marriage, this time to Miss Lida R. Wadsworth, of Monroe County, Mich. The Doctor and his wife enjoy a large circle of friends.

Dr. Goodwin has accumulated a valuable estate, and aside from his outside interests and other landed property has erected a number of the most substantial buildings in Cassopolis. Successful in the discharge of his professional duty, prospered in financial matters, oar subject is to-day as patriotic and public spirited as when, so many years ago, he proffered his services to the Government. Although never desirous of political preferment, he is deeply interested in the live issues of the day and is ever willing to lend a helping hand in behalf of mutual welfare and local advancement. Our subject contemplates building one of the finest three-story buildings in the city in the near future, to be occupied in part by the Masonic order.