William C. Godman, farmer, P. O., Marshall. The subject of the following brief sketch is a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, born June 27, 1845. He is the eldest of a family of eight children and was educated in the common schools. Was raised on a farm. In 1862, he enlisted in Captain Breckenridge’s company, under General John Morgan. Was the second man to join the company. He was engaged in the following battles: Cynthiana, Gallatin, Tennessee; Hartsville, Nashville, Lebanon, Kentucky; Brandenburg, Lexington, and all in which his command was engaged while on their raid into Ohio. He was captured at Buffington Island and imprisoned for nineteen months. When he was released, he was suffering with the "bone scurvy." Afterwards he joined President Davis’ body-guard and was with him until his capture. On the morning before they separated, Davis divided the contents of the treasury among his guard, giving each man $26, a portion of which Mr. Godman still retains. In 1868, he came to this county, with his father’s family, with whom he lived till marriage. In September, 1873, he was married to Mary F. Lawter, a native of this state. A short time after his marriage he went back to Kentucky, returning to this county at the end of two years and settling where he now resides. His farm contains 200 acres of good tillable land. They have had four children, three sons and one daughter, all living: William H., Thomas M., Charles F. and Lee, daughter.
