Isaac Goodknight
[son of Jacob Goodknight and Elizabeth Hoover]
born: 20 March 1802 - Stanford, Lincoln County, Kentucky
died: 8 July 1871 -
1850 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1860 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1870 Census Allen County, Kentucky
married: 26 January 1832 - Warren County, Kentucky
wife: Lucinda Jane Billingsley
[daughter of John Billingsley, Jr. and Mary Campbell Doak]
born: 14 February 1814 - Allen County, Kentucky
died: 30 July 1877 - Kentucky
1850 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1860 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1870 Census Allen County, Kentucky

Children of Isaac Goodknight and Lucinda Jane Billingsley Goodnight:

1. John Jackson "Jack" Goodknight
born: 23 November 1832 - Allen County, Kentucky
died: 1 August 1912
1850 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1860 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1870 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1880 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1900 Census Navarro County, Texas
1910 Census Navarro County, Texas
wife: Melvina "Millie" M. Reeder
born: December 1836 - Kentucky
died:
1860 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1870 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1880 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1900 Census Navarro County, Texas
1910 Census Navarro County, Texas

Children of John Jackson Goodknight and Millie Reeder Goodnight:

1.1. James H. Goodnight
born: 19 September 1855 - Allen County Kentucky

1.2. Sarah "Sally" E. Goodnight
born: 30 July 1856 - Simpson County, Kentucky
died: October 1932 - Texas
1860 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1870 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1880 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1900 Census Navarro County, Texas
1910 Census Navarro County, Texas
1920 Census Navarro County, Texas
1930 Census Navarro County, Texas

1.3. Margaret "Maggie" M. Goodnight
born: 20 October 1860 - Simpson County, Kentucky
died: 1886
1870 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1880 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
husband: Ed Foster
born: c1856

1.4. Velery C. Goodnight
born: c1869 - Kentucky
1870 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1880 Census Simpson County, Kentucky

1.5. Isaac Herschel Goodnight
born: 28 February 1871 - Simpson County, Kentucky
died: 25 August 1936 - Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky
1880 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1900 Census Navarro County, Texas
married: c1898
wife: Matie ?
born: January 1881 - Kentucky
1900 Census Navarro County, Texas

1.6. Adda "Addie" Goodnight
born: January 1881 - Kentucky
1900 Census Navarro County, Texas
1910 Census Navarro County, Texas
1920 Census Navarro County, Texas
1930 Census Navarro County, Texas
married: c1903
husband: Josh W. Speed
born: c1879 - Texas
1910 Census Navarro County, Texas
1920 Census Navarro County, Texas
1930 Census Navarro County, Texas

 

2. Jacob Henry Goodknight
born: 11 January 1834 or 1835 - Allen County, Kentucky
died: 24 December 1876 - Woodburn, Warren County, Kentucky
1850 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1860 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1870 Census Warren County, Kentucky
married: 16 November 1858 - Allen County, Kentucky
wife: Nancy "Nannie" Guy
born: c1837 - Kentucky
died:
1860 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1870 Census Warren County, Kentucky
1880 Census Warren County, Kentucky

Child of Jacob Henry Goodknight and Nancy Guy Goodnight:

2.1. Laura A. Goodnight
born: 17 November 1859 - Allen County, Kentucky
died:
1860 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1870 Census Warren County, Kentucky
1880 Census Warren County, Kentucky
husband: Mayburn Gloss
born: c1855
died:

 

3. Thomas Mitchell Goodknight
Cumberland Presbyterian Minister
born: 25 August 1837 - Allen County, Kentucky
died: October 1908 -
buried:
1850 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1860 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1870 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1st marriage: 7 August 1866 - Warren County, Kentucky
1st wife: Amanda Rebecca Middleton
[daughter of Samuel Brense Middleton and Rebecca Hunt Lucas]
born: 10 June 1839 - Stanford, Lincoln County, Kentucky
died:
1870 Census Simpson County, Kentucky

Children of Thomas Mitchell Goodknight and Amanda R. Middleton Goodnight:

3.1. Samuel Middleton Goodknight
born: 13 September 1867 - Kentucky
died: 15 September 1867 - Kentucky

3.2. Henry Middleton Goodknight
born: 23 December 1869 - Kentucky
died: 11 September 1870 - Kentucky
1870 Census Simpson County, Kentucky

3.3. Delia Middleton Goodknight
born: 5 April 1872
died:

2nd wife of Thomas Mitchell Goodnight: Norah Murphy

 

4. Mary Helen Goodknight
born: 14 October 1839 or 1842 - Allen County, Kentucky
died: 29 October 1903 - Arkansas
1850 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1860 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1870 Census Warren County, Kentucky
1880 Census McPherson County, Kansas
1900 Census Madison County, Arkansas (born Oct. 1839, age 60)
married: 24 November 1862 - Allen County, Kentucky
husband: William L. Lively
Minister
born: c1832 - Kentucky
died: before 1900 census - Arkansas
1870 Census Warren County, Kentucky
1880 Census McPherson County, Kansas

Children of Mary Helen Goodknight Lively and William L. Lively:

4.1. Lucinda "Lulie" "Lula" E. Lively
born: March 1869 - Kentucky
1870 Census Warren County, Kentucky
1880 Census McPherson County, Kansas
1900 Census Madison County, Arkansas

4.2. Isah N. Lively
born: June 1872 - Kentucky
1880 Census McPherson County, Kansas
1900 Census Madison County, Arkansas

 

5. Alexander Rowland Goodknight
born: 9 September 1842 or 1843 - Allen County, Kentucky
died: after 20 September 1850 - Kentucky
1850 Census Allen County, Kentucky

6. James Lincoln Goodknight
Cumberland Presbyterian Minister
born: 24 August 1846 - Mt. Aerial, Allen County, Kentucky
died: 2 October 1914 - Palace Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Macon County, Tennessee
1850 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1860 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1870 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1880 Census Miami County, Ohio
1900 Census Miami County, Ohio
1910 Census Logan County, Illinois
buried: Mount Olivet Cemetery - Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee
1st marriage: 12 May 1881 - Davidson County, Tennessee
1st wife: Chattie Williams
[daughter of ? Williams and ? ?]
born: 1856
died: 1882 - Covington, Ohio
buried: Mount Olivet Cemetery - Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee

Child of James Lincoln Goodknight and Chattie Williams Goodknight:

6.1. Chattie William Goodknight
born: July 1882 - Ohio
died:
guardianship: 27 October 1887 - Miami County, Ohio
1900 Census Miami County, Ohio

 

James Lincoln Goodknight married 2nd: 1884 or 1885 - maybe in Lincoln, Illinois
2nd wife: Alice Cleaver
born:
died: 1887

Child of James Lincoln Goodknight and Alice Cleaver Goodknight:

6.2. Allen "Allie" Cleaver Goodknight
born: 26 April 1885 -
1900 Census Miami County, Ohio
1910 Census Logan County, Illinois
1920 Census Cook County, Illinois
1930 Census Cook County, Illinois
married: after 1920 -
wife: Laura ?
born: c1880 - Wisconsin
died:
1930 Census Cook County, Illinois

 

3rd marriage of Rev. James Lincoln Goodknight: 6 June 1889 - Piqua, Miami County, Ohio
3rd wife: Ella Louise Biddle (Elliott)
[daughter of James Flannagen Biddle and Hannah Brondriff]
her 1st husband was Thomas Adams Elliott
born: 16 June 1845 - near Cincinnati, Ohio
died: 21 June 1911 -
obituary
buried: 23 June 1911 - Rose Hill Cemetery - Troy, Miami County, Ohio
1900 Census Miami County, Ohio
1910 Census Logan County, Illinois

James Lincoln Goodknight married 4th: ?
4th wife: Mrs. Edna Whitaker Perry

 

7. Isaac Herschel Goodknight
born: 31 January 1849 - Allen County, Kentucky
died: 24 July 1901 - Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky
buried: Green Lawn Cemetery
1850 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1860 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1870 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1880 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1900 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
married: before 1880
wife: Ella Hoy
born: January 1862 - Kentucky
died:
1880 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1900 Census Simpson County, Kentucky
1910 Census Simpson County, Kentucky

Child of Isaac Herschel Goodknight and Ella Hoy Goodnight:

7.1. Isaac Hoy Goodnight
born: August 1880 - Kentucky
died:
1900 Census Simpson County, Kentucky

 

8. Margaret Elizabeth Jane Goodnight
born: 1850 - Allen County, Kentucky
died: 1884 - Boise, Idaho
1860 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1870 Census Allen County, Kentucky
1880 Census Miami County, Ohio
husband: C. C. Stephenson

Obituary of Ella Louise Biddle (Elliott) Goodknight

Miss Ella Louise Biddle was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, June 16, 1845. Her parents were James Flannagen Biddle and Hannah Brondriff Biddle. There were seven children who lived to maturity, and nine in all, by name Carolina, Lizzie, Emma, Richard, Morris, Clarence and Ella. William and Alford died in infancy. Of these Richard, Sandusky, Ohio; Emma Force, Chicago, Ill.; Clarence, Kenton, Ohio, survive.

Her parents moved in their early history from Cincinnati to Troy, Ohio, where he father bought a farm and soon afterwards died, leaving the mother with a family a small children.

Grandma Biddle was a very remarkable woman and in nothing is her greatness more manifest than the honorable family brought up by her and whom she lived to see settled and doing well in the world and all members of the Church. She lived to be 94 years old.

Her (Ella Biddle Goodknight's) ancestry were from New Jersey, and were strong anti-slavery people. Her mother's people took an active part in the slavery movement and underground railroad routes to Canada. So strong were they in abolition principles that they went off with the Wesleyan Church on this issue from the M. E. Church. She grew up at Troy and graduated from the Troy High School under Superintendent Edwards, who in his day was one of the most famous teachers in the public schools of Ohio. She taught school for a number of years, in the country at first and then in the city schools of the state. Her services as a teacher were always in demand.

She was first married to Thomas Elliott, of Piqua, Ohio, and lived on a farm near that place till the death of Mr. Elliott. She still remained on the farm until the spring of 1889. Her only child, a little girl, died in infancy, while Mr. Elliott yet lived.

On June 6th, 1889 she was married at Piqua, Ohio, to Rev. J. L. Goodknight, of Covington, Ohio. Following their marriage they spent two years in Europe in travel and study. It was while there that she took up newspaper correspondence. During the two years she wrote regularly for the county paper, Miami Helmet, at Piqua, Ohio, and for the St. Louis Observer, a paper published int he interests of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, at St. Louis, Mo. This was a brilliant series of articles in which she depicted the life and customs of various nations in Europe. Her articles were unlike others in that she wrote about the little and intricate things in the home life and social and national life of the various peoples wherever she went. The first summer was spent in touring Scotland, England, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and France, and finally settling at Edinburg, Scotland. She ws the center of a large circle of Evangelical Union friends at Edinburg, Scotland, where he husband spent the fall, winter and spring of 1889 and 1890 in the Edinburg University. This was one of the most delightful periods of her whole life and she was at her very best. She was very fond of the Scotch people and especialy the tetotal evangelicals.

The next summer and the following year till March was spent in Germany at Jena, while her husband was in the University. Her articles at this time were greatly appreciated by a large circle of German friends and all Germans who read them lived over their German home life. They were pictures true to life of the great and grand German people. They were strikingly characteristic of the country and people.

Following this were numerous articles as she traveled through Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Italy and back through Europe to sailing from Glasgow, Scotland for New York, July, 1891.

Her first great church work in connection with her husband was at Waynesburg, Pa., where she had a class of some twenty boys in the Sunday school and a Mission Band of some fifty which was the wonder and talk of the town. Her most conspicuous and great success was at Morgantown, W. Va., while her husband was at the head of the State University as president. She introduced a new era in the social life of the University and her splendid accomplishments as an entertainer was noted by all who came in contact with her. Her kind of hospitality had never had any forerunner and students and state officials were delighted to find such a woman at the head of their first educational institution of the state. From there she moved with her husband onto a farm near Covington, Ohio. After living on the farm for three years while her husband was recuperating from nervousness, she came to Lincoln, Ill., as the wife of the president of Lincoln University in November, 1900.

It is not saying too much when we say that no woman ever in connection with the university had a deeper hold upon the students and parents of students than Mrs. Goodknight. Here her social manners and customs made her a marked character in the social life of Lincoln as long as her husband was at the head of this institution. Her Bible Class of young lady students had never had anything like it before nor has there been since. This Bible Class gathered in the parlor of her own home on the only week vacation day of the girls, yet there was hardly a girl in college who did not attend every meeting. No member of the class was ever absent unless prevented by compelling circumstances.

Her life work in the Church, and socially and in the Woman's Club is too well known in Lincoln to need any comments. Suffice it to say, that she was ever heart and soul in whatever she undertook. There was no let up.

Her Christian and Church devotion and patroitism has been conspicuous in nothing more than in the great and grave question that rest the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This made her a student of doctrines as never before and she cam forth an uncompromising and thorough Cumberland Presbyterian from principles and from the fact she believed its doctrines. She was an active member of the Board of Woman's Missionary Society in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Her work in Lincoln will live on and she will not be forgotten now or ever. Her work in the Church and Woman's Club hve left a deep and lasting impress.

Her final release from a long and tedious sickness came June 21st, 12:50 a.m., when her spirit took its final leave of earth.

During her sickness she was close to God and God was closed to her. She often said: O, my dear, I have had such sweet communion with God this day and sweeter still last night during the night watches."

One of the last things heard said by her was the repeating the 23rd Psalm: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want . . . Tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Her last words were: "Jesus, blessed Jesus be with us through this protracted meeting."

During her whole sickness there was never a murmur of complaint. She felt herself so unworthy of all God's goodness. She was ever thinking and planning how she might make some one enjoy themselves and how to do good when she should be well again. Never one complaint at her sick lot, nor one thought of anything for herself. Often she said: "The mighty man shall bow himself and the strong man shall be brought low--what can man do, when God brings him low." Her Christian faithw as strong and her trust restful and sweet, yet her suffering at times was heart-rendering, and she cried out for very pains of death.

Her complaint was malignant ulcer of the stomach, which at one time appeared to yield to treatment, but broke out all at once in a worse form than it had ever been.

An agent of mercy has gone home to the Father to be made a messenger to those who shall be heirs of salvation. She has simply gone on before. We shall all follow. God grant we may be ready as was she, our work well done.

My brother, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to which you have rendered much efficient service extends to you more than a hundred thousand hearts of sympathy in your loss of one whose place can never be filled. We know that no other sorrow that ever came into your life has been so overwhelming, and so absolutely irremediable as is that for the wife of your bosom.

For many long years you walked and worked side by side and hand in hand, she sharing your troubles and kissing away their bitterest stings and doubling your gladness by the pleasure she derived from seeing you happy. Henceforth you must make the journey of life without the cheer of her presence, but at the longest the time will be short until at the call of God you shall pass down into the same valley and shadow of death through which she has so recently and triumphantly passed.

We are all moving on in a great procession to that unseen home of the soul from which none have ever returned or ever desire to return. Between us and the spirit world there is in reality but a thin partition that consists in the breath we breathe and the transition may be made in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

But let the memory of the noble character of your now departed wife stimulate you to fight with manly courage the battles that yet remain for you on the earth.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, June 29, 1911, pages 1203-1205]

My cup of sorrow is full to overflowing as I receive the news of our dear Mrs. Goodknight's death. I feel that I have lost a friend, and the board a loyal, faithful worker and co-laborer; one to whom we could always go with our vexing problems, feeling that she could and would help us. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has lost a strong member. Yet while we are so sorely grieved our loss is heaven's gain. The Father has need of her in the heavenly home and has taken her to Himself. I am here reminded our our motto--

"The time is hort; if thou wouldst work for God
   It must be now.
If thou wouldst win the laurels for thy brow,
   Redeem the time."

Te call will come to one and all. Shall we be ready?
                MRS. MATTIE ASHBURN.

With saddened hearts we heard of the death of our dear Mrs. Goodknight and felt instinctively the void that her departure would cause in the hearts of those of home and church. She was a woman of beautiful Christian character, energetic and forceful, and a loyal member of the woman's board. Deeply do we deplore her loss, yet we rejoice that she has been relieved from pain and suffering and that the Savior has called her home.

"She has fallen asleep in Jesus--peaceful sleep
   From which none ever wake to weep,
A calm and undisturbed repose
   Unbroken by the last of foes."
                MRS. ANNA M. CONN.

To the memory of my beloved friend and co-worker--Mrs. Ella L. Goodknight. Her enthusiasm and tireless effort in the Master's cause were an inspiration and a comfort to all who knew her; a splendid friend, a sunny nature, a willing servant. A life full of sunshine, courage, faith, and rich in service.          MRS. GERTRUDE SCHULZ.

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." Our beloved Sister Ella L. Goodknight heard the call, "You have done what you could,' and--

"From the dust of the weary highway,
   From the smart of sorrow's rod,
Into the royal presence
   She has gone--the guest of God."

Her life was one of love, sympathy, patience and faith. The missionary work was lost a most willing and helpful supporter. She lives in a higher and brighter sphere, and calls back to us, "Work while it is yet day, for the night cometh, when no man can work." For us she leaves the example of her beautiful life, "For Christ and the church."        MRS. MARY M. GRAF.

Very keenly do we feel the loss of our sister, co-worker, and member of the board, Mrs. Goodknight. She was a woman of strong character and great personality. Her advice, suggestions and work were always good and practical. The suggestive W.B.M. Day program has always been given by her very willingly, and on that day, and in many other features of the work will she be greatly missed. To the bereaved friends and relatives do we extend our loving sympathy.
                 MRS. TILLIE M. STONE.

As our heavenly Father has called our dear Sister Goodknight to her heavenly home, we deplore the lamentable loss, especially to our own woman's work. We will miss her presence and her kindly words of advice. Her smiling face was indicative of her happy heart. To know her was to love her. While we are mourning for our dear sister, she is rejoicing in glory around the great white throne, where we some day may meet again and enjoy the sweet association of God's presence through eternity. Brother Goodknight will have the sympathy of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in his bereavement, and this will be a link to bind him closer to heaven.        MRS. LYDIA E. TUPMAN.

In the death of Mrs. Ella L. Goodknight the woman's board has lost one of its loving members, but we must say, "Thy will be done." She was a woman of faith, energy and ability. Her life was that of a true Christian with ever-increasing devotion to her Master's work. As we mourn the loss of this dear departed member, we can find comfort in the assurance that our Father doeth all thing well. God has called her to go and be with Him, but the inspiration of her life will abide with us. As she passed from our sight we know there was no darkness in the valley of the shadow of death, but all was light, for "Her face was turned toward the morning of the eternal day."
             MRS. FRANCES VARNER.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, July 6, 1911, pages 1222-1223]

Whereas, in keeping with God's and nature's laws, our dear co-worker, Mrs. Ella L. Goodknight, has been transplanted from earth into eternal life, with those whom he has "loved long since and lost a while," and

Whereas, her ever-ready help and wise counsel will be greatly missed, and hosts of friends, the church, and auxiliary will hold her memory lovingly, therefore be it

Resolved, That to her loved ones, we would express our deepest sympathy, and pray the Father to bless them, to make His face to shine upon them, and to be gracious unto them, and be it further

Resolved, That the fragrance of her life may be an inspirationa nd a beneciction. We pray that the sweet influence of her lovely character shall be always with those of her inner circle, and with us, her co-workers.
          MRS. MARY M. GRAF,
          MRS. ANNA M. CONN,
          MRS. TILLIE M. STONE.
Committee of Woman's Board of Missions

"There all, and always, dwell within His keeping,
Who sleepless careth while our care is sleeping;
How can we dare to falter in our praying,
Their perfect bliss against our sorrows weighing?

"Yet while we cease unwise and vain complaining
We have but loaned--out title still retaining;
Love hath a hire that time nor death can sever,
Our own are ours, forever and forever."
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, July 13, 1911, page 22]

Updated October 14, 2009

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