California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


HERBERT GOODE.� Tremendously rapid as is the progress of Cali- 
fornia's development, and comprehensive as are the daily changes in the 
affairs of men and things, bringing about one succession after another until 
the person or event of yesterday seems more a memory than a reality, it 
will be many years before men cease to talk of the late Herbert Goode� 
and talking, to praise � and of his equally accomplished and genial brother 
Robert, who, as Goode Brothers, owned valuable ranches near Fowler and 
Oleander. As Goode Bros., these English-born Californians by adoption, 
springing from a family distinguished in both the manufacturing and the 
business worlds, came to take front rank as raisin-growers here, and in both 
aggressively and progressively operating as ranchers, to point the way where 
others with like ambitions and capabilities could follow. 

From the day in 1890 when they began to establish themselves here they 
labored hard for the fullest and best development of the resources of Fresno 
County and the improvement of social life and living conditions for the every- 
day man and woman struggling with a too indifferent world ; so that when 
they were called, in an instant, to bid adieu to human affairs, by an accident, 
society was deprived of their stimulating leadership. It is not surprising that 
the Fowler Ensign, in telling of their passing on should say: "That the lives 
of two of its most prominent and highly prized residents could be so sud- 
denly snuffed out has stunned and saddened the entire community." 

Herbert Goode was born in Birmingham, England, March 29, 1870, the 
son of a leading business man in Birmingham, and attended Malvern College 
in Worcestershire. In March, 1890, he came to America, and coming directly 
to Fowler, Fresno County, Cal., joined his brothers, Robert E. and Percy, 
who had preceded him four months. The three brothers acquired land, made 
extensive improvements and built their homes. In 1898, Herbert returned to 
England and in that same year he was joined in wedlock to Miss Maude 
Preston, a native of West Derby, Lancashire, who was educated in a 
private school for girls at Cheltenham. Four children blessed their union: 
Gladwyn and Beatrice, graduates of the Fowler High School; Mabel, a 
student there; and John who is attending the grammar school. The family 
attends the Episcopal Church, and still resides in their home on the Goode 
Brothers' ranch, one mile north from Fowler. 

The funeral services were conducted from the Fowler Episcopal Church 
by Bishop Sanford, assisted by Rev. W. Benson Bellis of Selma, and such 
was the attendance of friends from far and near that all could not gain 
admittance to the church. The Fowler Ensign paid its tribute in the follow- 
ing: "They were both good men in the strongest and fullest sense. They 
were admirable husbands and fathers, lovable and true, and kind neighbors. 
. . . The community has met with a deplorable loss, for they were willing 
workers in every public enterprise, every charity, every measure for the 
public good."