The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-11-20
Hon. Daniel Goodenow.

| Hon. Daniel Go0den0W.
This distinguished man who has so recent
ly passed away from earth, was so widely
known and honored, and his rise from Oh
scurity to eminenco simply through his owr
persistent energy, presents so stimulating or
example to the young, that 1t 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 life and
character than has yet been published should
be given.
He was born in Hcnniker, N. H., Oct.
3Oth, 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 wcrc all
possessed of that sclfreliant energy and those
qucnchlcss aspirations which always pro.
claim mental superiority. They worc deter.
mined to secure for themselves tho coveted
education which tho poverty of their father
forbade him to give them. They oil became
lawyers. and with the exception Of John, the
eldest (who died soon after his admission Ia
tho Oxford bar in 1879, have for many ycars
boon prominent and honorod citizens Of our
State.
Daniel was tho third son of tho FIVE. Do.
flying tho obstacles crowded around his path.
way, and before which most boys would hayo
shruuk back in dismay, he entered Phillips
Academy at Andovcr, Mass, to prepare him.
self for college. But on completing his pre-
paratory studies, his debts already incurred
and the limitedncs Of his means forbade his
immediate entrance upon collegiate course,
and he left his homo at Brown6eld (whithcr
his parents had moved from Hennikcr in
1907 to enter the law Office Of Hon. John
Holmes, at Alfred. This was in 1913, when
ho was twenty years Of age. During tho
four years which he spent in Mr.. Holmes
Office. he zealously worked his way onward
to his profession with one hand, and sup
ported himself as best he could with the
other by occasionally teaching school. lilo
not only secured the esteem and confidence OF
Mr.. Holmes but deeply impressed him, rs
we'll as others, with most distinct foreshad-
owings of future eminence. And while thus
prosecuting his legal studies, ho at the same
time carried on those Of the sciences and
classics so rapidly and successfully, that in
1917 no was admitted to the Senior class OF
Dartmouth University, and graduated with
them few months after.
Soon after this Mr.. Goodenow, having chos-
On Alfred as his home, was admitted to tho
York County bar, and rapidly gained an cx'
tensivc practice. Ills success was doubtless
mainly duo to his legal ability and industry;
but, also, not little to his well.known in
tegrity and christian manlines.
In the year 1926, 1897, and 1880, he was
chosen to tho House Of Representatives oi
which, in tho latter year. ho was elected
sneaker. In 1882 SO, he was tho candi'
date of tho whis party for governor oil the
State: and in 1888 and again in lS4l, when
this party was in power, ho held tho impor'
taut Office of Attorney-goneral. In Doc
ls4l, ho was appointed Judge. Of tho Dis
,rict Cour. for tho western district Of Nlainc'
succeeding Judge Whitman. This otico he
held to the very general acceptance OF tho
bar and the community for tho constitutional
term of seven years. In the address which
wa, presented to him by the bar Of York Co.,
on retiring from his office, they say, "Iho
vbole bar bear testimony to tho integrity
and ability with which you have discharged
the high and responsible duties Of judge
sound Judgment and the best intentions have
characterized every act. No member Of the
bsr has rcminisconco Of an act OF unkind-
ness during the whole Of your administration
of tho law. Your course has been such ns
n scc,,ro tho attachment OF tho members OF
tho bar and the respect Of the whole commu.
nifty. May your days hereafter bc as pros.
porous and happy as your liio heretofore has
been benevolent and useful" |
In ls4s Judge Goodenow resumed bis
professional practice and for q period Of
seven years was tho acknowledged head Of
the York county bar. In 1855 no was up. |
pointed ono Of the judges Of the Supreme
Court, and filed this most important post
wi.hs uch diguifIcd ability as added material.
" TO his reputation throughout the State