John Ivel Goodrich, second son of Joel P. and Mary Elliott Goodrich, was born August 5, 1857, in Green County, Ohio, and died in North Loup March 2, 1945, aged 87 years, 7 months and 27 days. While quite young his father moved his family to Illinois but when the civil war broke out he moved them back to Ohio and enlisted in the Union Army. In 1872 they all came west to Hall county where his father took a homestead 16 miles west of Grand Island.
On December 25, 1882 he was married to Cora C. Green. In 1891 he moved with his family to North Loup which was his home till his death. 9 children were born to him and his wife, of which two died in infancy, the oldest son, William, who lived in California, died in 1922, and Ward, of North Loup, in 1937. His wife died Febr. 25, 1911. November 30, 1915, he was married to Mrs. Jane Smith, who died June 3, 1941.
When old age left him almost helpless, he was taken into the home of his son, Clifford and his wife, who tenderly cared for him till the end came with no pain or suffering.
When he came to North Loup he joined the Seventh Day Baptist church, in which he was a loyal member till his death. He loved music and for several years sang in the church choir. His business was insurance and he was prominent in this field, not only in North Loup, but in most of Valley county where he was well known for his honest conscientious work. His family say he never touched liquor or tobacco even as a boy, and he was never heard to use a word of slang.
He leaves to mourn his passing, five children, Lorenzo G., of Doniphan, Mo., Mrs. Bertha Barber and Clifford of North Loup, Harold of Chardon, and Melford, somewhere in France. One sister, Mrs. Lizzie Adamson, and one brother, Abner Goodrich, both of Denver; also many grandchildren and several step children and many friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Goodrich were held Sunday afternoon from the Seventh Day Baptist church with Rev. Ehret in charge. Mrs. Nels Jorgensen, a granddaughter, sang very sweetly, the favorite songs of her grandfather. Mrs. Glen Johnson and Mrs. Chas Fuller were at the piano and organ, while Mrs. R. O. Babcock and Miss Marcia Rood cared for the flowers. Pallbearers were A. L. Willoughby, C. B. Clark, Vernon Williams, Arthur Stillman, Chas. Fuller and Roy Cox. LeRoy Frazier of Ord had charge of the arrangements. Burial was in Hillside cemetery.
