Marion County
ILGenWeb

Biography - W. B. GOODALE

W. B. Goodale was born in Centralia, Marion county, August 17, 1855, the son of William and Mary (Sherwood) Goodale, who were the parents of five children, four boys and one girl, of whom our subject was the fourth in order of birth. He bears the distinction of being the first white male child born in Centralia. The parents of our subject were Eastern people. They both passed away when our subject was about thirteen years of age. W. B. Goodale received his early education in Centralia. When in his "teens" he went to work for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, learning the machinist's trade, at which he worked, giving entire satisfaction, with this company for a period of fourteen years, at the expiration of which time he had accumulated sufficient money to buy a fruit farm near the city, and for the next fifteen years he applied his skill and industry to raising small fruits of all kinds with great success, when he sold his farm and began the manufacture of ice cream, having purchased an interest in a plant in 1901. At that time the yearly output of the plant was very small, but under the efficient management of our subject the capacity was gradually increased as trade poured in from all sides until now the output is fifteen times greater than formerly.

The plant has been thoroughly remodeled in every way, having all the latest equipment for the business, is thoroughly sanitary and always kept very clean. The product of this well known plant is shipped to over fifty cities and towns throughout Southern Illinois. The cream is bought from Elgin and Chicago markets and the milk is obtained from the dairymen in and about Centralia.

The plant proper is forty by seventy-five feet. All milk and cream is here thoroughly pasteurized by the most complete process. It is the only firm in the city that carries the state inspector's certificate, being up to the standard required by the state. This firm also manufacture all their own ice and cold storage, and recently purchased the factory and equipment of the Mt. Vernon Ice Cream Company.

W. B. Goodale was united in marriage to Mary E. Wild on October 27, 1881. She is the daughter of Samuel and Ann Wild, one of the old English families of Centraliar The wife of the subject is the oldest of three girls in the Wild family. One son has blessed the home of our subject and wife, named Robert W., who is a full partner with his father in business and a young man of great ability and promise of a future replete with happiness and success. Robert W. Goodale married Myrtle Miller on January 9, 1907. She is the only daughter of Frank and Laura (Hoag) Miller, the father of Mrs. Goodale being a prominent fruit grower and commission merchant of Centralia. Robert W. Goodale is regarded by all who know him as a thoroughly modern business man and one of the rising young men of Centralia. His education, natural ability and commendable qualities have well fitted him for an active and thorough business career.

In politics both our subject and his son vote for the character of the man rather than the party, although they are sometimes counted upon as being Democrats, especially in national issues. Religiously they are Baptists. Both father and son are thorough, practical men in every respect. W. B. Goodale in former years was a member of the United Workmen. Robert is a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge at Centralia.

Extracted 27 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 585-586.