Solano County Biographies

B. H. GOODWIN

Transcribed by Linda McDowell

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


a native of Oxford county, Maine, born Nov. 22, 1829, where he was educated and 
learned the trade of blacksmith, which he has followed as a business ever since.
At the age of 20 he went to Southborrow, Mass., and remained a short time, 
thence back to his birthplace on a short visit, thence to Rockford, Mass., where 
he worked at trade for about four months, after which, he proceeded to Boston 
and started on a whaling voyage; went around the Cape of Good Hope to the 
Oakheart Sea, and from there to the Sandwich Island, where he remained for about 
four months, when he returned to Oakheart Sea, and from there to the Islands, 
where he remained and worked at trade four months longer, and then shipped again 
for the Oakheart Sea, where he remained several months, following the trade and 
whaling, when he again returned to Sandwich Islands.  After remaining here about 
six months came to San Francisco, arriving May, 1856.  After remaining one month 
in Auburn, Placer county, he came to this county and settled in Benicia, where 
he remained until December, 1856.  He then returned to Sandwich Islands, and 
remained through the winter, and in the spring returned to Benicia, where he 
followed his trade until September, when he came to this valley and worked at 
trade near the marble quarry, about four miles north-east of Suisun.  About two 
months later he settled in Fairfield, where he built a shop, in company with J. 
Foster, which they conducted but a few months, when Mr. Goodwin went to Suisun 
and worked for Sim. Ramsay for about one year, when he bought Mr. Ramsay out, 
and entered into partnership with L. H. Fowler.  They remained together for 
about one year, after which he worked for different parties for about one and 
a-half years, when he settled in Fairfield, where he has been doing business on 
his own account ever since.  Mr. Goodwin married Miss Catherine Cronan, October 
30, 1859.  Minnie E., Katie L., (deceased,) Katie E., Benjamin C. (deceased,) 
Laura E., George P., Nellie F., (deceased,) are the names of their children.
 
History of Solano County - San Francisco, Cal., Wood, Alley & Co., East Oakland, 
1879, page 408-409