My Genealogy Hound

David M. Goodlett is a farmer, stockman and member of the general mercantile firm of Mitchell & Goodlett, of Ozan, their business having been established in February, 1885, and now constitutes one of the leading firms in the county. Mr. Goodlett was born in Tippah County, Miss., in 1840, and is a son of Spartan and Elizabeth (McCain) Goodlett, who were born in Spartanburg District, S. C, and Alabama, respectively. When a young man Spartan Goodlett went to Mississippi, where he was married, his wife dying there in 1844, and the following year he moved to Camden, Ark. Here he spent the rest of his life engaged in tilling the soil, his death occurring in 1868. He had long been a member of the A. F. & A. M. of Camden, and was formerly a Presbyterian in faith. The grandfather, William McCain, was a farmer, and died in Coffeeville, Tex., where he had lived since about 1845. David M. Goodlett is the second of three children—two sons and one daughter—born to his father’s first wife. He attended the country schools and followed the plow in his youth, and in 1859 started out in life for himself, came to Hempstead County, and worked as a farm hand until the opening of the war. In June, 1861, he joined the Davis Blues, and served in Northwest Arkansas and Missouri, participating in the battle of Oak Hill. He then came home and soon after joined Company H, of the Hempstead Rifles, and was at the battle of Pea Ridge, after which he served east of the Mississippi River, and took part in the engagements at Corinth, Iuka and Port Hudson. After four years of hard service, in which he did not lose a day, he returned to Hempstead County and was here married, in January, 1867, to Miss Martha Reader, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Reader, who removed from Alabama to Hempstead County in an early day, and are still residing near Bingen. Mrs. Goodlett was born in this county and died in 1883, having borne a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, now living. Mr. Goodlett’s second marriage took place in 1884, his wife, Martha, being a daughter of John and Susan Irven, the father being a native of the county. His parents were among the very first settlers of this region. Mrs. Goodlett was born near Ozan, and has borne Mr. Goodlett a daughter. Since the war the family has resided on their present farm of 1,264 acres, two and a half miles northwest of Ozan, and now have under cultivation 650 acres. It is one of the best farms in the county, is excellently improved, and the most of it is known as “blade” land, and is exceedingly fertile. Mr. Goodlett also owns interests in other lands. In connection with his farm he operates a good steam cotton-gin and grist-mill, and the manner in which he has obtained his present property, and his example of industry and sincere endeavor to succeed in life, are well worthy the imitation of the rising generation. Mr. Goodlett is a Democrat, Seymour receiving his first presidential vote, and he and his wife have long been members of the Methodist Church, his first wife having also been a member of that denomination.