San
Francisco County
Biographies
CHARLES
GOODALL
The life of Charles Goodall,
the eminent Methodist layman of the Pacific Coast, illustrates the success that
may be attained by well-directed effort in accumulating wealth, and gaining
honor by one who was a poor sailor boy in a foreign land, without capital or
influential friends. Captain Goodall left his native
home in England at the age of 16 years, arriving in New York in 1841. He
commenced labor on a farm, but soon changed his mind and embarked at New
Bedford for a three years’ cruise on a whaling voyage. This trip was a school to
him. That he improved to his best advantage, and laid the foundation for that
practical and finished education that has been so useful to him in the
responsible positions he has occupied as a public speaker and prominent
citizen, in large business enterprises, in developing the State. He came to
California in 1850, and found by experience that he was a better sailor than
miner; and consequently took ship for the islands of the sea. While on this
voyage Christopher Nelson was rescued from the Fiji islands, where he had been
shipwrecked. He afterward became one of the firm of Goodall & Nelson, who laid the foundation of the
Pacific Coast Steamship Co., that has become the largest coast line of steamers
on this coast, and one of the best conducted shipping houses in the United
States. The firm is now Goodall, Perkins & Co.;
ex-Governor Perkins and Edwin Goodall, a brother of
Captain Goodall, constituting the present firm. In
1861, and in 1863, he was elected Harbor Master by the Peoples’ Party, and in
1870 to the State Assembly. During a long term of years he has been engaged in
the active duties of a business that extends from British Columbia to Mexico;
yet he has found time to promote great projects to elevate and bless his
fellow-men. His high moral rectitude, strict integrity and benevolence are
prominent traits in his life and character. The Methodist-Episcopal Church, of
which he is a devoted member, has received at his hands liberal gifts, and to
his sagacity and wise counsel in establishing this church in outlaying
districts, the members feel that they owe the Methodist layman, Captain Goodall, a debt of gratitude. He will bring to his office
as trustee of the Leland Stanford, Junior, University a ripe experience and
devotion that springs from a great benevolent heart.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: “Illustrated Fraternal Directory Including
Educational Institutions on the Pacific Coast”, Page 28, Publ. Bancroft
Co., San Francisco. Cal. 1889.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.