The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-23
BOTETOURT.
DEATH OF THOMAS JOHNSTON GOODWIN
TRIBUTE TO TIE MEMORY or \ GOOD MAN.
ICorresnondCnce % the Richmond Dispatch.J
EtNg,cTrp " March % 1881


TRIBUTE TO TIE MEMORY or \ GOOD MAN.
[COrrcsnomdcnce 81 the Richmond Disratch.J
FINCAsTIF, VA, March p. 1888.
Thomas Johnston Goodwin is dead. OF
all the men who have lived and died among
us this generation has not known better
than be. II Is scarcely credible that Il man
wbo-e whole lie has been marked by un-
swerying devotion to duty should have
failed to stir UP onmity and hatred i'm the
breast Of some cvi-doer. and yet ! believe
can assert with confidence that Tom
Goodwin. in departing from Us. does not
leave an enemy behind him.
T. j. Goodwin was born in Fincasile in
March. 1871, and educated at Washington
College. The war coming on while at that in
sttutIon, he enlisted a. a private in The Lib
eIty-Ilall Volunteers, company composed
Of the collcgc-bOys, under the command OF
Captain White. This company, il will be r.
membercd. formed 4 part OF the brigade
whose gallant stand at the first battle OF
Manassas won for It's commander the So
bYiQuft oi Stoncwal. From ihis company
was chosen the first Of the many noble We
Tins that Botetourt offered upon the 1ltar
OF southern chiyalry--Calyin UtZ, q prom
isine youth, q schOolma.C and comradc Of
the deceased. Young Goodwin continued
to serve with galiantry in This world-famed
brigade until bis capture at Geitysburg,
where he received wound which resulted
in the los, Of his lett arm.
The muskot avails nothing now; for the
war l. over, and the young soldier l. in
Wit. d 10y his icll0w-cllizens to take the pen
instead. being elected by large majority
10 the Office OF clerk OF the Circuit Court
OF BotetOurt. Finding this Office not suff-
GENTLY remuncratiye, he resigns tD accept
the position OF deputy to bis young friend
! the late ID. VI. Allen, who had just been
elected 10 the Office OF clerk Of the County
Court. During this time iir. Goodwin was
engaged in preparing himself for ihe pro-
fession Of law, studying under the late
Judge Il. NJ. Hudson. But he never en-
/ tered upon the practice OF law. In this !
think he acted wisely; for l much doubt
whether lie would have succeeded as &
practitioner. lie lacked in q marked de-
gree that push and self-asserton yulearly
denOminatcd " brass" which in the LEGAL
profession is such IN Invaluable aid 10 the
novice.
Atthis juncturc, a. fortune would have
/ it,, J. L. Logan, who for many years bad
been the commissioner in chancery for
both the County and Circuit Courts Of Bot.
etourt. removed to Salem, and by the adj
vice and assistanccoi William 4. Glasgow,
Esq, whose kind Offices were ever CRATE
fully remembered, y. J. Goodwin was ap-
pointed in bis stead. 1t IS not possible Tor
one outside OF the legal profession fully TO
| appreciate the Importance or accurately TO
estimate the advantages Of a good COM
missioner in chancery. Combined with
tie wisdom and impartiality OF the Judge
should nc the skill and accuracy OF the ac-
countants. We have many eminent law
ycrs, and learned judges not q few, but a
first-class commissioner, who can iiHd him
For this Office Goodwin proved himself 10
be prominently litted Us all who have had
occasion to examine his numerous report.
and settlements can attest. In 1873 the
mercantile firm OF Il. J. Goodwin q Brother
was established, and were doing business on
the corner Of Main and Roanoke streets al
the time OF the death Of the senior men,
Der Of the firm.
There is hardly limit 10 the confidence
which this community rcposed in the IN
tegriy and judgment OF Tom Goodwin. II,
he was familiarly called. II dispute arose
amongst neisbbors, where nice points OF
law and facts were TO be submitted IN arbl-
uallpH, no one was more III uculgnu IMAM
he. III there were eiatcs TO be settled,
where hers aud creditors are 10 be satisfied.
no man could be found more acceptable to
all parties than he. Fathers, In making
their wills, thought Of him; and mothers,
in selecting guardians for their orphans,
did not forget him.
Again and again he has been chosen a
member OF our Town Council. For some
time past be has been one Of the main pill
lars OF the Episcopal church here; abound
! Ing in liborality and i'm deeds OF kindness.
He never lost sight OF the fact that the poor
we have with Us always. For him none
will grieve more sincerely than they. Ills
deeds OF charity were done in the most Sc
cret and unobtrusive manner, for, rs far rs
possible, he concealed the bentfuctor from
even the recipient himself.
Alas! We have no more Tom Godwins
amongst us. Religious without bigoiry.
pious without cant, charitable without
Osfentaiion, and liberal with cxtraya-
gaucc, he leaves to his relations aud friends