General Notes

THE  SHELBYVILLE  DAILY  DEMOCRAT
[Died June 8, 1892]
DEATH  OF  NATHAN  GOODRICH,
AN  OLD  AND  ESTEEMED  CITIZEN
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Mr. Nathan Goodrich, the second oldest citizen, in point of residence of this county, died at the Hotel Ray, the residence of his son, Mr. T. E. Goodrich, last night at 10:25 o'clock.  Old age and the infirmities which invariably follow an attack of the grippe, weakened his constitution several months ago, since which time he failed rapidly, and death ensued at the time mentioned.  During his last hours his entire family of children were constantly at his side, and he was conscious of their presence, his surroundings and his condition up to the very last moment. When the sad end came he looked into the faces of his children and said:  "There's mother there; will you let me go now?"  Then turning slowly he sank into the eternal sleep which knows no waking.  Nathan Goodrich was born February 5, 1813, on Capteen Creek, near Wheeling, West Virginia.  When seven years of age he came to this county with his parents, they being the second white family to arrive.  His father entered 160 acres of land lying between Big Blue and Little Blue rivers, which embraced all that land now included in Walkerville and Forest Hill cemetery.  The family cabin was built near the present bridge over Little Blue river. On July 30, 1835, he was united in marriage to Mary Louden, and to them was born a large family of children, seven of whom are now living, viz:  Mrs. Dr. S. A. Kennedy, of Indianapolis, Messrs. J. M., Geo. A., Mrs. Kate Coffman, and  T. E. Goodrich, of this city, and Mr. M. H. Goodrich, of Baltimore.  His wife lived until July 4th, 1891.  Mr. Goodrich farmed for a short time on the land now owned by Mr. George Vanlue, west of the city, but he subsequently left that occupation for the more congenial business of merchandising.  He was a hatter by trade, and many of our older citizens remember him as an expert manufacturer of headwear for men.  During the war he was trustee of the territory now embraced in Addison and Shelby townships, and it is a noteworthy fact that he paid over to his successor a large sum of money which he had made for the township.  Deceased was also a Director in the old Knightstown railroad, an enterprise at that day of more importance that most improvements of later times.  His father was a lawyer, and was the first judge of this county, and assisted to build our first court house.  The funeral will occur from the Hotel Ray on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and the remains may be viewed from 10:30 to 1:30 of that day.  Nathan Goodrich was a good man. He was a Christian in the fullest sense of the word.  He gave of his means to assist others, and frequently in so doing impoverished himself, in every relation of life he was pure and just and true.  He left no gigantic fortune to perpetuate his memory, but he left a sweeter, richer legacy, an untarnished name.  What a grand bequest to his children, -- a spotless reputation!  What a noble example to the youth of the county and the country!  What a beautiful life to contemplate!  'Tis better than gold, of the fruition of political, preferment, or the plaudits of the purse proud who estimate everybody according as they have prospered financially.  Such a life inspired the profoundest respect, the strongest admiration, the most dutiful deference.  He lived blamelessly, he died without a reproach from any source.  Surely a glittering crown awaits him.