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Author: WellsVolunteer
Surnames: GOODYEAR, SUTTON, BENNETT, DEAM
Classification: biography
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Message Board Post:
Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 376-378.
J. W. GOODYEAR.
The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and
his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his
character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In
touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid
fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those
facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life
characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this
will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known
him long and well.
The Goodyear family is an old one and is traced back through several centuries to its
original location in Cumberland, England, where, close to the borders of Scotland, the
family flourished from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries. Eventually the members of
the family became scattered, the name being found in many parts of England and, according
to old records still extant, a number went to London. At least three branches of the
family have migrated to America at different times, it being a matter of record that there
arrived in America in 1637 Stephen Goodyear, who afterward became governor of New Haven
colony. Another branch of the family went from England to Holland and Germany, their
emigration being coincident with that of the Puritans. This German branch of the family
later came to America and from it is descended the family to which belongs the subject of
this sketch. The first emigrant ancestors settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in
that state, on the 4th !
of April, 1789, was born Samuel Goodyear, who lived a long and useful life, dying at the
advanced age of ninety years. His son, William James Goodyear, was born in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1822, and accompanied his parents upon their removal to
Ohio in 1832. Ten years later, 1842, he came alone to Indiana, locating in Bluffton, Wells
county, a section of country which did not at that time give much promise of the marked
prosperity which has since characterized both city and county. He worked at the
carpenter's and cooper's trades several years. He was here united in marriage, on
the 17th of February, 1850, with Miss Diana J. Sutton, a granddaughter of the Rev. Elijah
Sutton, one of the well known early pioneers of Wells county. This worthy couple lived to
celebrate the golden anniversary of the ceremony which united them, the event being the
occasion of a large gathering of their relatives and friends who joined in their efforts
to make memorable the day. !
Mr. Goodyear died July 10, 1901, on the old homestead near Murray wher
e he had made his home for half a century. To William and Diana Goodyear were born two
children, Rhoda Fidelia, born Noyember 16, 1851, and Jacob Webster, the subject.
Jacob W. Goodyear was born July 13, 1862, was reared upon the old home farm near Murray
and was early given the advantage of attendance at the common schools, after which, during
the years 1877-9, he attended the normal school at Bluffton. In 1880 Mr. Goodyear entered
Fort Wayne College, graduating in the commercial and business department the following
year, and also graduating in the classical department in the same institution in 1883. In
addition to pursuing his regular studies, he was engaged for two years in teaching
bookkeeping and mathematics. After leaving school he was for a year occupied in canvassing
for the sale of books and then passed four years upon the farm. In 1888, upon the
organization of the Wells County Rank, Mr. Goodyear was elected to the position of
cashier, in which capacity he has since served continuously. In 1903 he was elected to the
position of vice-president of the institution and also made a member of the board of
directors. He was still reta!
ined in the position of cashier and in these joint positions he has since had the active
management of the bank's affairs. The bank, though but fifteen years old, has had a
most creditable history and from a small institution has developed into one of the largest
and most influential state banks in Indiana. It has a capital of one hundred thousand
dollars, a surplus of ten thousand dollars and assets amounting to over seven hundred
thousand dollars. There are seventy-five stockholders, whose interests are looked after by
nine directors. Mr. Goodyear has not confined his sole attention to his banking interests,
as is shown by the fact that he is an officer in and a director of four other institutions
that have for their object the welfare and improvement of the city and county. For a
number of years he has been a director, and in January, 1903, was elected the president,
of the Commercial Club, an organization that has accomplished much in building up the
commercial interest!
s of Bluffton, and he is also president of the library board, in the l
atter capacity being in hearty accord with the proposition to erect a new library in this
city in the near future, one that will be in thorough harmony with the other recent
improvements in the city. Mr. Goodyear helped to organize and for the long period of
twelve years has been treasurer of the People's Mutual Loan and Savings Association
and is also an incorporator and secretary of the new Elm Grove Cemetery Association, which
has been started on most modern cemetery plans. In many ways not here mentioned Mr.
Goodyear has exerted a silent, but none the less potent, influence upon the city's
growth and development and among those best acquainted with the full scope of his efforts
and accomplishments he occupies a high position in their confidence and esteem. Much of
the present prosperity of this section of the country is directly traceable to the impulse
of the influence and efforts exerted by the subject. Mr. Goodyear is free in his
expression of gratitude to his parents!
and his sister for their unselfish devotion to him, that he might obtain a good
education and have a start in life. Through them the foundations were laid thoroughly and
deeply and upon them he has builded wisely and well, so that today he occupies a position
not only creditable to himself, but reflecting honor to those who so carefully looked
after him in the primal days of his life career.
On the 26th of November, 1891, Mr. Goodyear was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with
Miss Harriet Bennett, daughter of Robert C. and Harriet (Deam) Bennett. This union has
been a most happy and congenial one and has been blessed by the birth of one child, Edith
May, born May 23, 1896. Thus briefly have been set forth the salient facts in the life
career of one of Wells county's intelligent men of affairs. His career and position
illustrate most happily the fact that, if a young man possesses the proper attributes of
mind and heart, he can attain to a position of unmistakable precedence and gain for
himself an honored position among the men who are the foremost factors in shaping the
destiny of cities, communities and states. His life proves that the only true success in
this world depends upon personal effort and consecutive industry. It also demonstrates
that the road to position is open to all who possess the courage to tread its pathway and
serves as an inspiration !
to the young of the present and future generations, teaching by incontrovertible facts
that true success is ambition's legitimate answer.
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