Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 376-378.

J. W. GOODYEAR.

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life—a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.

The Goodyear family is an old one and is traced back through several centuries to its original location in Cumberland, England, where, close to the borders of Scotland, the family flourished from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries. Eventually the members of the family became scattered, the name being found in many parts of England and, according to old records still extant, a number went to London. At least three branches of the family have migrated to America at different times, it being a matter of record that there arrived in America in 1637 Stephen Goodyear, who afterward became governor of New Haven colony. Another branch of the family went from England to Holland and Germany, their emigration being coincident with that of the Puritans. This German branch of the family later came to America and from it is descended the family to which belongs the subject of this sketch. The first emigrant ancestors settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in that state, on the 4th of April, 1789, was born Samuel Goodyear, who lived a long and useful life, dying at the advanced age of ninety years. His son, William James Goodyear, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1822, and accompanied his parents upon their removal to Ohio in 1832. Ten years later, 1842, he came alone to Indiana, locating in Bluffton, Wells county, a section of country which did not at that time give much promise of the marked prosperity which has since characterized both city and county. He worked at the carpenter's and cooper's trades several years. He was here united in marriage, on the 17th of February, 1850, with Miss Diana J. Sutton, a granddaughter of the Rev. Elijah Sutton, one of the well known early pioneers of Wells county. This worthy couple lived to celebrate the golden anniversary of the ceremony which united them, the event being the occasion of a large gathering of their relatives and friends who joined in their efforts to make memorable the day. Mr. Goodyear died July 10, 1901, on the old homestead near Murray where he had made his home for half a century. To William and Diana Goodyear were born two children, Rhoda Fidelia, born Noyember 16, 1851, and Jacob Webster, the subject.

Jacob W. Goodyear was born July 13, 1862, was reared upon the old home farm near Murray and was early given the advantage of attendance at the common schools, after which, during the years 1877-9, he attended the normal school at Bluffton. In 1880 Mr. Goodyear entered Fort Wayne College, graduating in the commercial and business department the following year, and also graduating in the classical department in the same institution in 1883. In addition to pursuing his regular studies, he was engaged for two years in teaching bookkeeping and mathematics. After leaving school he was for a year occupied in canvassing for the sale of books and then passed four years upon the farm. In 1888, upon the organization of the Wells County Rank, Mr. Goodyear was elected to the position of cashier, in which capacity he has since served continuously. In 1903 he was elected to the position of vice-president of the institution and also made a member of the board of directors. He was still retained in the position of cashier and in these joint positions he has since had the active management of the bank's affairs. The bank, though but fifteen years old, has had a most creditable history and from a small institution has developed into one of the largest and most influential state banks in Indiana. It has a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, a surplus of ten thousand dollars and assets amounting to over seven hundred thousand dollars. There are seventy-five stockholders, whose interests are looked after by nine directors. Mr. Goodyear has not confined his sole attention to his banking interests, as is shown by the fact that he is an officer in and a director of four other institutions that have for their object the welfare and improvement of the city and county. For a number of years he has been a director, and in January, 1903, was elected the president, of the Commercial Club, an organization that has accomplished much in building up the commercial interests of Bluffton, and he is also president of the library board, in the latter capacity being in hearty accord with the proposition to erect a new library in this city in the near future, one that will be in thorough harmony with the other recent improvements in the city. Mr. Goodyear helped to organize and for the long period of twelve years has been treasurer of the People's Mutual Loan and Savings Association and is also an incorporator and secretary of the new Elm Grove Cemetery Association, which has been started on most modern cemetery plans. In many ways not here mentioned Mr. Goodyear has exerted a silent, but none the less potent, influence upon the city's growth and development and among those best acquainted with the full scope of his efforts and accomplishments he occupies a high position in their confidence and esteem. Much of the present prosperity of this section of the country is directly traceable to the impulse of the influence and efforts exerted by the subject. Mr. Goodyear is free in his expression of gratitude to his parents and his sister for their unselfish devotion to him, that he might obtain a good education and have a start in life. Through them the foundations were laid thoroughly and deeply and upon them he has builded wisely and well, so that today he occupies a position not only creditable to himself, but reflecting honor to those who so carefully looked after him in the primal days of his life career.

On the 26th of November, 1891, Mr. Goodyear was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Harriet Bennett, daughter of Robert C. and Harriet (Deam) Bennett. This union has been a most happy and congenial one and has been blessed by the birth of one child, Edith May, born May 23, 1896. Thus briefly have been set forth the salient facts in the life career of one of Wells county's intelligent men of affairs. His career and position illustrate most happily the fact that, if a young man possesses the proper attributes of mind and heart, he can attain to a position of unmistakable precedence and gain for himself an honored position among the men who are the foremost factors in shaping the destiny of cities, communities and states. His life proves that the only true success in this world depends upon personal effort and consecutive industry. It also demonstrates that the road to position is open to all who possess the courage to tread its pathway and serves as an inspiration to the young of the present and future generations, teaching by incontrovertible facts that true success is ambition's legitimate answer.

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