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 ROBERT E. GOODE. � Honored and beloved by all who knew him, and esteemed and looked up to by his fellow ranchers and raisin-growers with whom he competed in the most agreeable and stimulating manner, Robert E. Goode, a highly-progressive resident of Fresno County since October, 1889, passed from this life on April 22, 1918, mourned by many. His demise, viewed in the light of what he had already accomplished and what might reasonably have been expected of him, was indeed an "untimely taking off." He was born at Birmingham, England, November 21, 1863, and came from a family of manufacturers and business men, all of whom made some mark in the world. Robert E. and his brother, Percy Goode, came together to America in October, 1889, after finishing their education at Rossall College and getting well started in practical business ways. After the arrival of their brother, Herbert, in 1890, the three brothers bought 180 acres of land near Fowler, Fresno County. They developed this property and became very successful as ranchers and in the growing of raisin grapes. While Robert and Herbert were improving the property, Percy, at the same time was making himself proficient as an expert accountant, in which profession he has ad- vanced higher and higher in San Francisco. Thus owning their ranches in common, and together developing their property, Robert and Herbert grew very intimate, and more and more at- tached to each other; nor did the marriage of either affect their affectionate association. They were nearly always seen together in their life-time ; and perhaps it was meet that they should be summoned together in death. Their accidental deaths, to quote the Fowler Ensign, "shocked the community as it was never shocked before." . . . "The bereaved families have the profound sympathy of the entire community in this great, overwhelming sorrow." The funeral was held from the Fowler Episcopal Church, Bishop Sanford of Fresno, assisted by the Rev. W. Benson Bellis of Selma, officiated. Robert E. Goode was married at Easton, in Fresno County, May 13, 1890. to Miss Eleanor Davenhill, who was also born at Birmingham, England. Her father was the late Henry Davenhill, for eighteen years a resident of Clovis and Easton, who passed away at his home in Pacific Grove, January 13, 1910, after a month's illness, prior to which he was for years partially, and for months totally blind. He had been born in England, was seventy- seven years of age, and was survived by a widow Matilda (Clarke) Daven- hill, and six children : William Davenhill, of Santa Cruz ; Arthur H. Daven- hill, of Ashland, Ore. ; Mrs. Claude Conlan, of Seabright ; Mrs. R. C. Storie, of San Jose; Mrs. R. E. Goode, of Fowler; and Mrs. W. Gibson, of Santa Maria. Commenting on his death, the Fresno Republican, of January 17th, said: "The profusion of beautiful floral pieces marked the esteem in which the deceased was held in the city in which he had made his home. Every member of the large family was present at the funeral services." Mrs. Davenhill is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Goode became the parents of two children: Muriel, who graduated from the Fowler High in the Class of 1918, following which she did postgraduate work ; and Richard Henry, who is a student in the grammar school. Mrs. Goode, with her two children, resides on the Goode Brothers' ranch one mile north of Fowler. The Goode family has always attended the Episcopal Church. The Goode Brothers owned 140 acres near Fowler, and forty acres near Oleander, all of which they fully improved from a grain-field into the most valuable and productive ranches in the section wherein the property is located. They were active in the various associations of fruit- and raisin- growers of the county, and were enterprising and public-spirited citizens whom it was an honor to know. This property is now under the general supervision of Percy Goode, administrator of the two estates. In closing we quote again from the Fowler Ensign, "They were ad- mirable husbands and fathers, lovable and true, and kind neighbors ; and in unblemished lives extending over nearly a third of a century in this com- munity, proved to be public-spirited citizens of the highest and best character."