Ichabod Goodwin

Ichabod Goodwin

Ichabod Goodwin (born October 10, 1794 in North Berwick , York County , Maine , † July 4, 1882 in Portsmouth , New Hampshire ) was an American politician and governor of the state of New Hampshire from 1859 to 1861 .

Early years and political advancement

Goodwin attended local schools in his home country. After moving to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he first worked for a merchant. But he soon went into business for himself and became a successful businessman. By 1832 he owned two railway companies, two banks and a textile factory. He was also involved in the construction of steam ships.

At the beginning of his political career, Goodwin was a member of the Whig Party . Between 1838 and 1856 he was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives on several occasions . In 1850 he was a member of a committee for the revision of the state constitution. In 1856 he ran unsuccessfully as a Whigs candidate for governor. He was the last Whig to run for this post in New Hampshire. His party disbanded shortly afterwards and Goodwin joined the new Republican Party .

New Hampshire Governor

In 1859, Goodwin was elected governor of his state. He took up his new office on June 2, 1859 and, after being re-elected in 1860, could remain in this office until June 6, 1861. During his tenure, the judiciary was reorganized. Among other things, the courts of appeal were abolished and their function was incorporated into the State Supreme Court . The railway laws were also revised at that time. At the national level, the governor opposed the expansion of slavery . The last months of his term of office were marked by the events of the civil war that broke out in April 1861 . He fully complied with the demands of the federal government to support the war effort and personally vouched for loans needed to set up two regiments.

Another résumé

After trying unsuccessfully to be confirmed in his office in 1861, Ichabod Goodwin withdrew from politics and devoted himself to his private affairs in Portsmouth. He died there in 1882.

Goodwin was married to Sarah Parker Rice, with whom he had seven children. The daughter Susan ("Susie") (1844–1872) married George Dewey in 1867 , later the senior Admiral of the Navy .

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 3, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Ichabod Goodwin at the National Governors Association (English)
• Biography of New Hampshire (English)