goodykoontzj
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
JOHN W. GOODYKOONTZ owns one
half section of fertile wheat land about three miles southwest from Fletcher.
Through his industry and good taste the estate has been improved in first
class shape. He has plenty of good water and a fine orchard for home
use, with good buildings, the land well fenced, besides various other improvements.
Mr. GoodyKoontz gives attention to raising stock somewhat, in addition
to wheat farming and is a prosperous man.
John W. Goodykoontz was born in Alamakee county,
Iowa, on March 2, 1860. His parents, William and Nettie (Bair) Goodykoontz,
were born in Virginia, in 1826, and in Indiana, in 1838, respectively.
They were married in Iowa, in 1856 and there remained until 1877, when
they journeyed west and settled in Kansas, where the father now lives.
The mother died on May 21, 1904. Seven children were born to them,
M. A., T. B., J. W., Emma J., C..A., Alice, and Carrie E.
John W. studied in the common schools of Hardin
county, Iowa, until about man grown, when he gave his entire time to assist
his parents until twenty-four years of age. At that time, he started
out to do for himself and began by farming in Kansas. Four years
later, it being 1888, he moved to Washington and located on a homestead
where he now resides. From that time until the latter 'nineties,
he had considerable hardship to endure passing through the hard times and
it required no small amount of determination to stay with the proposition.
However, he succeeded and is now rewarded by a good holding in property.
In 1884, Mr. Goodykoontz married Ninnie L.
Wooters, the daughter of L. H. and Phoebe (Arbaugh) Wooters. The
father was born in Maryland in 1839, while the mother was born in Indiana,
in 1843. They were married in Indiana, in 1861, and became the parents
of ten children, Charles R., Rose M., Ninnie L., Emma B., Lena D., E. M.,
W. L., J. F., Z. N., and Carrie A. To our subject and wife one child
has been born, E. M., now attending school at Ritzville.
Mr. Goodykoontz has always been a Republican
and takes an active interest in political campaigns. He also serves
frequently on the school board and is a member of the I O. O. F.
In November, 1904, Mr. Goodykoontz was elected
justice of the peace at Washtucna, his name appearing on the Republican
ticket.
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