The Portland daily press., 1863-11-12
COMMUNICATIONS.
, Hon. Daniel Goodenow,
Written for the Press


This distinguished man who has SO recently
passed away from earth, was so widely known
and honored, and his rise from obscurity to
sminence simply through his own persistent
energy, presents so stimulating an example to
the young, that it is due not only TO the large
circle Of friends who mourn his departure, but
also TO the rising generation that some farther
account Of his liie and character than has yet
been published should be given.
He was born in Hennker, n. H., Oct
30th, 1893. His father was farmer OF too
limited means TO allow his five boys to hope
for much assistance from him in acquiring
anything more than the simplest common
school education. But those boys were all
possessed OF that self-reliant energy and those
quenchless aspirations which always proclaim
mental superiority. They were determined
to secure for themselves the coveted educa-
tion which the poverty of their father forbade
him to give them. They all became lawyers,
and with the exception of John the eldest,
twho died soon after his admission to the Ok
ford bar in 1912 have for many years been
prominent and honored citizens OF our State.
Daniel was the third son oil the five. Defy
ing the obstacles crowded around his pathway
and before which most boys would have
shrunk back in dismay, he entered Phillips
Academy at Andoyer, Mass, to prepare him
self for college. But on completing his pre-
and the iimitedness of his means forbade his
immediate entrance upon collegiate course
and he left his home at Brownfeld (whther
his parents had moved from Henniker in
1902 to enter the law Office of Hon. John
Holmes, at Alfred. This was in 1913, when
he was twenty years OF age. During the four
years which he spent in Mr.. Holmes Office he
zeaiously worked his way onward to hi. pro-
tesslon with one hand and supported himself
as best he could with the other by occasionally
teaching school. He not only secured the es-
TEEN and confidence of Mr.. Holmes bot deeply
impressed him,as well as others, with most dis
tinct f0reshadowings OF future emnence. And
while thus prosecuting his legal studies he at
the same time carried on those of the sciences
and classics so rapidly and successfully that
in 1917 he was admitted to the Senior class of
Dartmouth University and graduated with
them few months after.
Soon after this Mr.. Goodenow, having chosen
Alfred as his home, was admitted to the York
Go. bar and rapidly gained an extensive prac-
tice. His success was doubtless mainly due
to his legal ability and industry; but also not
little to his well-known Integrity and Chris
tian manliness.
In the years 1925, 1927, and 1880, he was
chosen to the House OF Representatives, of
which, in the latter year, he was elected speak
er In lS3l-32-33, he was the candidate of
the Wing party for governor OF the State; and
in 1883 and again in lS4I, when this party was
In power, he held the important Office OF At
torney-general. In Dec. 1871, he was APP
pointed Judge of the District Court for the
western district OF Maine, succeeding Judge
Whitman. This office he held to the very
general acceptance Of the bar and the comm,-
nifty for the constitutional term of seven years
La the address which was presented to him by
the bar of York Co., on retiring from his office,
they say, "The whole bar bear testimony to
the integrity and ability with which you have
discharged the high and responsible duties of
judge; sound Judgment and the best inten-
tions have characterized every act No mem-
Der OF the bar has reminiscence of an act Of
nnkindness during the whole OF your admin
-istration Of the law. Your course has been
such as to secure the attachment of the mem
bers OF the bar and the respect OF the whole
community. May your days hereafter be as
prosperous and happy as your life heretofore
has been benevolent and useful
In lS4S Judge Goodenow resumed his pro-
fessional practice and for period OF seven
years was the acknowledged head OF the
York county bar. In 1856 he was appointed
one of the judges OF the Supreme Court, and
filled this most important post with such Dig
nitied ability as added materially to his reputa-
tion throughout the State. The honorary de-
gree Of LII. d. was in 1860 conferred upon
him by Bowdoin College, Of which institution
he was as a faithful and devoted trustee for
tue last twenty-five years OF his life. In COM
pany with Chief Justice Tenney he retired
from the bench Of the Supreme Court In 1862.
ut the age OF 60; and although he had so
nearly reached the allotted threcseore years
and ten when after such laborious life most
men would feel justified in declining farther
professional toll, yet, as il young man just
buckling on his armor for the battle of life.
he was intending to return to the arena when
death met him and he entered into rest.
1t may not be Inappropriate to close this
obituary notice by glance at some of the
prominent traits Of Judge Goodenow's char
acter.
As man he was noted for self-reliant ener-
gy and perseverance. These traits were
specially prominent and specially developed
in his earlier years when battling so heroically
with innumerable obstacles for the prize of an
education. And he had become so accus-
toned to see difficulties disappear before his
tenaclty OF purpose that he had come to be ha-
bltualiy hopeful and even sanguine. What he
saw he saw clearly aud distinctly: and until
satisfactory erjdence of error was adduccd, he
held to his belief calmly and firmly, whatever
might be the opinions of others. aTo thine
0aca self be true' was q maxim which rcou-
lated his entire life, intellectual as we'll as so-
cial and religious. He was a remarkably sin.
cere man. His character had not little OF
the transparent artlessness of childhood
There was not only no guile in his heart. or
life, or speech, but lie had an inexpressible
contempt for all artful trickcry in Others He
believed that straight line is the shortest
distance between any two points aud acted
accordingly. He was straightforward, direct
practical. With his eye distinctly upon the
mark he pushed directly for it, alike in wort
and deed. And In the full belief that ''wha
man has done man c0n dO - he lent 9lusbja
through whatever obstacles until he generally
reached the point aimed at.
As husband and father he was perhap.
more DISTINGUISHED for soil. tender