Santa
Clara County
Biographies
EDWIN
BRANDON GOODRICH
A native and to the manner born, the
late Edwin Brandon Goodrich was a life-long resident of San Jose, his birth
occurring May 14, 1858. His death was caused by a street car accident at Alum
Rock, June 6, 1903. A capable, progressive and honorable man, he was held in
high esteem as a popular and useful citizen, a good neighbor and a loyal
friend. Through his intelligent activity, wise management and excellent
business tact, he became prominently identified with the industrial prosperity
of this section of the state, for a number of years most successfully carrying
on the building and quarrying business established by his father. The
descendant of an early New England family, he also of pioneer stock, being the
only child of Levi and Julia (Peck) Goodrich, early settlers of San Jose.
(Further parental and ancestral history may be found on another page of this
volume, in connection with the sketch of his father.)
After completing the course in the
public schools of his native town, Edwin Brandon Goodrich continued his studies
at the Santa Clara College, and then, in Berkshire county,
Mass., completed his early education at Stockbridge Academy. Becoming a
professional architect, he entered into business with his father, and
originated and drew the plans for many of the more important and artistic
residences and public buildings of Santa Clara and adjacent counties. On the
death of his father, in 1887, Mr. Goodrich succeeded him in business, and
turned his entire attention to the development and operation of the Goodrich
quarries, which are located on the Almaden road, south of San Jose. His
operations in this line were very extensive and remunerative, the sandstone
from his quarries being in demand for the erection of substantial, fire-proof
buildings of all kinds in this vicinity, much of it being used in San
Francisco, and in the buildings belonging to the Leland Stanford, Jr.,
University. Mr. Goodrich, as previously mentioned, was accidentally killed June
6, 1903, and his body was laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery. Politically he was
a stanch Republican, influential in local affairs, and at the time of his death
was serving as deputy county assessor. Fraternally he belonged to the Knights
of the Maccabees, and was a charter member of San
Jose Parlor No. 22, N. S. G. W.
August 19, 1890, in San Jose, Mr.
Goodrich married Marie McDonald, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., a daughter of
William McDonald. Her paternal grandfather, a native of Fauquier county, Va., was large planter. William McDonald, some of
whose ancestors fought in the Revolutionary war, migrated from Warren county, Va., his birthplace, to Missouri, where he was
engaged in agricultural pursuits for several years. Subsequently coming with
his family to Contra Costa county, Cal., he purchased land near Concord, and
has there improved a valuable farm, on which he still resides, honored and
respected. He married Artimecia Stinson, who was born
and reared in Hannibal, Mo., coming from Revolutionary ancestry, and being a
daughter of Benjamin Stinson, who was born in Virginia, of German lineage, and
became a pioneer settler of Marion county, Mo. Twelve children were born of the
union of Mr. and Mrs. William McDonald, eleven of whom are living, Mrs.
Goodrich being the fourth child in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich had
two children, Louise Juliet and Donald Levi.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 455-456. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Cecelia M. Setty.