Goodan Family
This photograph was found in an antique store in Bath County, Kentucky. It is labeled on the back "Goodan Family" and was taken in Greely, Colorado. It is presumed to have been a part of the estate of Samuel Goodan (1814-1903) and Susan Wells (1821-1908). Samuel and Susan lived most, if not all, of their lives in Bath County, Kentucky. He was the brother of Phillip W. Goodan (1809-1884).Phillip and his wife Sydney Day (1817-1901) followed their children and grandchildren to Colorado. Therefore, it is presumed that this picture was sent home to Kentucky for "Uncle Sam". Other Goodan photographs found at the same time and store were of Samuel Goodan's grandchildren. It would seem likely that all the photos were a part of the same estate.
It is believed to be a picture of William Montgomery Goodan, youngest son of Phillip and Sydney Day Goodan. He was born about 1858 in Kentucky and may have died in Denver, Colorado in 1932. Although, I have not confirmed his death with primary documentation. He is reported to have been Postmaster and a banker at Greely, CO. William can be found in the 1885 Weld County, Colorado State Census renting on the shares 110 acres.
After a recent trip to Denver, Colorado, custody court records were found. These records document that William was married to Clara I. Waterhouse. Cemetery records indicate that Clara was born on January 28, 1862 in Missouri. William and Clara Goodan had four children: Clara "Blanche" born July 23, 1883 in Nebraska; William "Hosea" born January 11, 1885 in Colorado; Gwendolyn "Maud" born July 4, 1886; and Pearl born May 29,1891. The latter two girls presumably were born in Colorado. According to cemetery records, Clara Waterhouse Goodan died on February 6, 1897. Court records dated April 1900 indicate that William was petitioning the court to appoint H. E. Churchill guardian of the children. The same petition stated that the children and William were entitled to a portion, estimated to be $500, of the estate of Clara's mother, Sarah Waterhouse who died on January 9, 1896. Another document dated February 7, 1902 stated that the case was being litigated in the Supreme Court. Those Supreme Court documents have not been researched.
"William was called "Uncle Coon" by my grandmother's (Ruth Gustavson nee Goodan) family because of his black, kinky hair, not a very complimentary name for the era and certainly not a very politically correct nickname for our times, but it is family lore." J. Gustavson, grandson of Ruth Goodan Gustavson.
HOME Copyright Updated April 2001 Evelyn Smith