Bios: John Jesse Franklin Goodman; Tift County, GA
Copyright © 2004 by Dot Goodman Sims. This copy contributed for use in
the USGenWeb Archives. Jsimsfam@aol.com
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John Jesse Franklin “JJF” Goodman (JAMES FRANKLIN,
ISAAC, WILLIAM, HENRY, HENRY, WILLIAM, WILLIAM, WILLIAM)
was born
JJF’s mother, Martha Webb, either died during childbirth or
while JJF was an infant. The 1850
Wilkinson County Census shows JJF (age 2) and his sister, Zina (age 4) living
with older relatives (Etheldred and “Zaney“ Webb). Soon thereafter, his father James married
Lemanda Dean in
Etheldred Webb, who by published accounts would be the grand uncle of JJF and Zina, (although I believe he was the grandfather… but have not yet been able to prove or disprove this) left them a portion of his Estate in the amount of $1,415.43 which was distributed in January of 1860 to James F. Goodman (Guardian of Minor Children John F. “JJF”and Zina Goodman)
JJF was only 15 years old when the Civil War broke out and
he, along with many of his family members and friends stepped up to serve their
country. JJF was 16 years and 4 months
when he joined the cause as a Confederate Soldier. His Uncle Robert Goodman was killed during
the Battle of Peachtree Creek in
War affected all of those involved and some, like JJF, used its lessons, coupled with his strong religious and ethical upbringing, to lead a life of public service. His character has been epitomized in historical writings with such vivid descriptions as earnest and consecrated, his purpose as “Christlike” and his life as “Fidelity“. Being disgusted by immoral and mean-spirited people, he dedicated his whole life to fighting those forces through religion and education. His strong convictions to fairness and righteousness landed him in positions as Teacher, Judge and Preacher.
After the war, JJF returned to
That venture was the beginning of a new town, later named Tifton, which called upon and depended on JJF’s strong moral convictions and impeccable foresight to smooth out some of its roughest wrinkles and play a vital role in its shaping and survival as a town.
At the onset of building the sawmill, Mr. Tift recognized the need for an educated and trustworthy assistant to serve as his Bookkeeper. As luck would have it, Mr. Tift not only found a most strategic location to place his sawmill, but it came with just the person that he needed to fill those mighty shoes. Young JJF had already earned the respect of all those who knew him and his reputation was well known throughout the community in which he had lived the greater portion of his life.
The sawmill brought jobs to the community. The jobs brought more families. And the families brought universal needs such as schools, churches and community service. These were the requirements that drew the attention and demanded the leadership of one destined for a life of public service. JJF followed his father’s footsteps and bravely accepted the challenges. Along with the fulfillment of his bookkeeping duties, and later working in Mr. Tift’s Commissary, he opened the doors to education in 1872 as Teacher to thirteen young students.
JJF and Rhoda raised a large family in Tifton and lived in the area throughout their lives. JJF’s accomplishments and influences are reflected throughout the history of Tifton and the results of his dedication to humanity is found in the spirit and lives of those who have lived in or who have been a part of the Tifton community.
Children of JJF GOODMAN and RHODA EDENFIELD are:
1. JOHN O. GOODMAN, b.
2. MARY M. GOODMAN, b.
. 3. MARTHA M. (MATTIE) GOODMAN, b.
4. PENA FRANCES (FANNIE) GOODMAN, b.
5. AMANDA E. (MANDY) GOODMAN, b.
6. GEORGE WALTER GOODMAN, b.
7. CARRIE E. GOODMAN, b.
8. WILLIAM GOODMAN, b.
9. MAGGIE J. GOODMAN, b.
10. SARAH MAY (SALLIE) GOODMAN, b.
11. LULA EUGENE GOODMAN, b.
History of
Tifton Education (Tifton Gazette)
The U. S. Census of 1880 lists only
one school teacher for the whole Tifton Militia District -- JJF Goodman, who
was also Justice of the Peace. His
father, James F. Goodman, served 21 years as
Aside from the sawmill forces, the
U. S. Census for the
Also listed in the immediate vicinity was the legendary JJF Goodman, teacher, farmer, judge, preacher and citizen extraordinary.
1882: The Shootout That Changed Tifton’s Path
(Tifton Gazette)
Presiding over a boundary dispute, Judge JJF Goodman witnessed a shootout that was described as follows: "...following the first shot came a fusillade, like an army skirmish - hundreds of pistol reports, so close together that they could not be distinguished." The Courtroom was emptied like magic. . . outside were more men, pistols in either hand, shooting as their objectives came out. Among the few left inside was Judge Goodman, trapped behind the pulpit, where he witnessed the whole scene.
Judge Goodman had a bullet-hole through his clothes where his right hip was grazed; the walls of the building were perforated with hundreds of bullet-holes, eight of which were behind the Judge's stand.
It was witnessed by W. W. Lastinger, the lawyer trying the case, that Goodman emerged from the little court house with his face showing plainly his disgust and contempt … Goodman was obviously horrified at the action which had taken place in the little shack he and his bailiff, W. W. Webb had built. The majesty of the law had been trampled on, three men were dead and one was crippled for life. How could the forces of the average Tiftonite, who wanted law, order, peace and justice, be mustered to fight the prevailing attitude of reckless disregard for decency which had been shown that day?
Goodman resigned as Justice of the Peace. His next action shows what his answer would be. He was ordained as a Methodist Preacher on December 27, 1882 in Albany by Bishop H. H. Kavannaugh. Goodman returned to the small sawmill village. He began holding services in the same court house which was the scene of the recent blot on Tifton's history. Goodman had put himself in opposition to the lawless forces in the village and invited everyone else who opposed them to join with him in the church. Goodman continued the struggle and in 1885 his small church was taken into the Alapaha Circuit.
Meanwhile, the Masons had been organized and granted a dispensation in February 1882, and were chartered in November 1883. This organization would prove strong allies to the Goodman forces. Among those organizing the Masons were J. S. Gaulding, S. N. Adams, John Murrow and JJF Goodman.
Religion Came
With the First Man (Tifton Gazette)
In 1882, Tifton was a small village centered around Captain H. H. Tift's sawmill. The second largest industry was the selling of liquor. In 1882, JJF Goodman held Court to settle a dispute over timber rights. The court room became the scene of a shootout between the opposing parties in which three men were killed.
Judge Goodman resigned as Justice of the Peace and turned the tide of history in Tifton by taking out a license as a Methodist Preacher. In March, 1882, he organized the first church in town and became the leader of forces who were determined to close the bar rooms and bring order to the village.
In 1884, five Baptists organized Mt. Hermon Baptist Church and alternated their meetings with the Methodists led by Reverend Goodman in the building which also served as the school house and the Masonic Lodge.
Methodists
Organized in 1882 (Tifton Gazette)
In writing the history of the Tifton First United Methodist Church, the history of Tifton is also written. When this church was organized it had five members, the village being made up of saw mill shanties to honor the employers and their bar rooms. The bar rooms have been gone for many years. The Church helped to close them.
Previous to the organization of the Church, the Methodists in Tifton were occasionally Servants of the Master, notable among them being that earnest, consecrated man, JJF Goodman. Mr. Goodman was Justice of the Peace at this time. He resigned his office and asked for a license to preach as a local Methodist preacher. This was granted and he served the Church in this capacity as long as he lived.
The Church proper was organized by JJF Goodman on the first Sunday in March 1882. The members at that time were JJF Goodman, Mrs. Rhoda Goodman, their little son J. O. Goodman, John B. Greene, Mrs. Julia A. Greene, Mrs. J. F. Knight and her mother, Mrs. Anderson. It will be seen that, except for the Pastor, the church was organized with only one male member who filled the double duty of class leader and steward.
Masons Trace
History Back to 1882 (Tifton Gazette)
The Masonic Lodge in Tifton was chartered November 1, 1883. The officers named on Charter to serve the initial period were J. S. Gaulding, Worshipful Master; J. L. Matthews, Senior Warden, and J. C. Graydon, Junior Warden. The first annual report made to Grand Lodge Officers was in 1884 and showed among its members Reverend JJF Goodman. JJF Goodman served as Chaplain for the Masonic Lodge for over forty years.
Rev. John J. F.
Goodman -- A Master Mason (Robert H. McMillan, Jr.)
Reverend John J. F. Goodman, born August 5, 1846, in Wilkinson County, Georgia and died June 22, 1926. He married Rhoda Edenfield, born February 21, 1851 in Berrien County, Georgia and died March 6, 1836. Reverence John J. F. and Rhoda Goodman are buried in the Lawrence Cemetery five miles east of Tifton, Georgia on Highway 82. Reverend John J. F. Goodman was a son of James Franklin Goodman, born May 13, 1821 in Wilkinson County, Georgia and Martha Webb of Wilkinson County, Georgia. James Franklin Goodman’s first wife, Martha, is buried in Wilkinson County, Georgia. She had two children. James Franklin Goodman married second, Lemanda Dean, and had ten children. This family is listed in Volume 1, Wiregrass Georgia, written by Huxford. Judge James Franklin Goodman moved from Wilkinson County, Georgia in 1855 to Berrien County, Georgia and settled in Nashville, Georgia. Judge James F. and his son John J. F. Goodman were very active members of Duncan Masonic Lodge #234. James F. Goodman received his degrees in 1859, same year Duncan Lodge received it’s charter. The Rev. John J. F. Goodman born in 1846 married Rhoda Edenfield, born in 1851. They had eleven children, all born in Berrien County, Georgia. They are listed as follows:
John O. b. Nov. 10, 1872
Mary M. b. Jan. 21, 1874
Martha b. May 25, 1876
Pena F. b. Feb. 25, 1879
Amanda b. Jan. 18, 1881
George W. b. Apr. 29, 1883
Carrie E. b. May 18, 1885
William b. Mar. 8, 1887
Maggie J. b. Mar. 24, 1889
Sarah Mae b. Apr. 9, 1891
Lula E. b. Dec. 12, 1897
Rev. John J. F. Goodman’s father Judge James F. Goodman was Superintendent of Schools in Berrien County, Georgia for twenty-one years. He also held other county offices in Berrien County. Rev. John J. F. Goodman’s brother, Isaac Goodman, was the founder of Sparks, Georgia. Isaac and his father and mother are buried in the Sparks Cemetery. Rev. John J. F. Goodman had two brothers that were medical doctors, and most all his brothers held either county or state offices. Soon after John J. F. Goodman married, he purchased land near Brookfield, Georgia where he built his home and served several years as a rural School Commissioner of Berrien County, Georgia and tended his farm. He also served in Company F, 12th Georgia Militia, CSA. Rev. John J. F. Goodman’s father and all the rest of the Goodman family were members of the Baptist Church of Nashville, Georgia. After he moved to Brookfield he helped his good friend, Rev. Mathews, erect a building for a church.
Rev. Mathews, a Methodist Minister, owned land five miles east of Tifton, Georgia on Highway 82. By working together, they organized Bethesda Methodist Church in 1878. Rev. Mathews donated the land for the church and cemetery and John J. F. Goodman joined the Bethesda Methodist Church. A short time later, John was ordained a Methodist Minister. In 1903 the church was moved two miles east to Brookfield, Georgia and renamed Brookfield Methodist Church. The cemetery that was left behind is now called the Lawrence Cemetery. It is in very good shape and is in use today.
In 1880, John J. F. Goodman, 34 years old, moved from his farm near Brookfield to Tifton, Georgia. He worked several years for the founder of Tifton, Mr. H. H. Tift, in his sawmill as a bookkeeper.
After moving to Tifton, he organized the First United Methodist Church in Tifton, Georgia. The first church building was a two-story log building. The first floor was used for church service and a school. The second floor was used for a court, a voting precinct, and a Masonic Lodge meeting room. Rev. John J. F. Goodman was always a valuable member of the Masonic Lodge and was most helpful in providing a meeting place for the Lodge. Rev. John J. F. Goodman’s first church service held in the new log building was on Sunday, March 5, 1882. The charter members were Reverend John J. F. Goodman, his wife Mrs. Rhoda Goodman and their ten-year-old son, John O. Goodman, John B. Greene and his wife, Mrs. Julia A. Greene, Mrs. John F. Knight and her mother, Mrs. Anderson. In this group there were only two men listed. Mr. John B. Greene filled the duties of Class Leader and Steward and Reverend John J. F. Goodman was the Minister.
In 1882, Reverend John J. F. Goodman, a member of Duncan Masonic Lodge #234, was also working with Mr. J. S. Gaulding and others to get a Masonic Lodge for Tifton. And, in due time, Tifton Masonic Lodge #47 received its charter dated November 1, 1883 and the Reverend John J. F. Goodman was a charter member.
The Methodist Church building burned in 187 and the two-story structure was rebuilt with lumber donated by H. H. Tift from his sawmill. The church building burned a second time in 1889 and it was rebuilt again. The people of Tifton continued to use the church as they had in the past. Later, the Masons, with the help of Reverend John J. F. Goodman, purchased a lot on South Mail Street to build a new Masonic Lodge Building. The address was 321 South Main Street. The building was built and they laid the cornerstone on March 30, 1899.
Reverend John J. F. Goodman served as Tifton’s first Justice of the Peace.
About 1920, he moved back to his farm in Brookfield and died in 1926. He was always thought of as a valuable member of the community. He was honest and a hard worker. He enjoyed helping his family and friends.
Soon after his passing, Tifton Lodge #47 assigned a committee to write a resolution on his behalf. A copy is attached to this biography.
Tifton Lodge No. 47, F & A.M - Tifton, Georgia - July 17, 1926
When the news reached us that Brother JJF Goodman had passed away, a sense of great loss came over the whole Lodge, where our departed brother had his membership for more than forty years.
Throughout all these years this loyal consecrated man of God gave without stint his prayers, and service, not only to his Masonic brethren but his entire community. Without a finished education he but illustrated the good we all may do if we have the love of God in our hearts and use the natural gifts he has given us.
In all his relations he was found faithful in the discharge of his duties; Indeed, if his whole character should be expressed in one word it could be epitomized in the one word “Fidelity”.
Our loss, his gain. May his aged wife, children and grandchildren follow his footsteps and meet him in the heavenly home.
So we pay this last tribute of respect and love to a good citizen, a loving husband and father, a faithful friend and a worthy and diligent servant of the church, and true Masonic brother and an Humble Christian Gentleman.
Now be it resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the Lodge. That a copy be sent to his wife and family, and that they be published in the Gazette.
Committee -- J. L. Harman; I. Y. Conger; H. D. Webb
Education in
the Community of Harding, Georgia (Tifton Gazette)
Harding Community began with a tram road built by Captain Tift to haul logs from across the Alapaha River to Tifton. The first school was taught in Liberty Baptist Church with JJF Goodman as the teacher.
History of
Methodist Church - Brookfield (Tifton Gazette)
To have lived for nearly three quarters of a century is an achievement for either a person or an organization but to have lived so long at the center of Christian faith and unselfish service is an honor indeed. In the year 1887, the Reverend JJF Goodman, one of the pioneer Methodist preachers of this section, with Christ like purpose to extend the kingdom went five miles east of Tifton and organized a new church. The church was named Bethesda, built and donated by a Mr. Matthews. The building was not only used for worship, but it also served for a time as a public school.
In 1903, it was decided to move the church building three miles into the village of Brookfield. The name was then changed to the Brookfield Methodist Church. It was here that Bishop Arthur J. Moore worshipped as a growing boy.
Excerpt from
“Connell-Morris and Allied Families“, P. 977 written by R. H. McMillan, Jr.
In 1878, Reverend John J. F. Goodman, a very well-known and active Methodist Preacher (born August 5, 1846, died June 22, 1926, buried Lawrence Cemetery) together with William D. Mathews, b. 1827; J. B. Coarsey, Ryan Kinard, Mr. And Mrs. Thomas Baker, Samuel Harrell and others, organized The Bethesda Methodist Church. Mr. William D. Mathews donated land on his farm about two miles west of Brookfield, Georgia for the building and the cemetery.
In about 1903, J. L. Gay, J. N. Brown, C. V. Taylor and others living in Brookfield, were leaders in a movement to move the church to Brookfield. The church was moved and placed about 100 yards east of Brookfield, on the north side of Highway 41. Now there has been a new Methodist Church constructed right in Brookfield. When the church was moved, the name was changed to “Brookfield Methodist Church”
William D. Mathews died in 1906 and Elder Richard Alphonso Lawrence had already become the owner of the Mathews land. Therefore, when the church was moved, the cemetery was named The Lawrence Cemetery, which had always been a community cemetery.
History of Tifton Post Office (Tifton Gazette)
The first Post Office was established in 1874 and was located in the Watchman's Shack at the Tift Sawmill. It later moved to the Commissary. From 1885 until 1907, the following offices were adjacent to Tifton:
Sutton, Georgia * Harding, Georgia * Goodman, Georgia * Vanceville, Georgia * Brighton, Georgia * Waterloo, Georgia * Urban, Georgia * Ansley, Georgia * Dozier, Georgia
All of these post offices were discontinued with the advent of rural delivery service from the Tifton Office in 1898. Rural delivery was established in 1898. City delivery of mail was authorized July 1, 1907
Reverend JJF Goodman was the Postmaster of Goodman, Georgia. Mail addressed to anyone in "Goodman, Georgia" was delivered on horseback by Reverend Goodman (1885 - 1898)
How Methodists
Began in Tifton
About 1965, when I was only 12 years old, my grandmother (Edna Jane Faulk Goodman) lived in the house with us. One day, when I was sitting at my mother's old Royal typewriter, "Granny" Goodman brought out an old worn piece of handwritten paper and asked me if I would type it for her. She told me it was part of our history. In 1999, when I was going through an old picture box at my brother's house, I found the typewritten notes:
In the early eighties, Tifton was known as what at that time was called a saw mill town. Coffins Commissary, the Post Office, a small store and two bar rooms, and only one railroad made up Tifton. Tifton was hardly more than a bridle path. The country was almost an unbroken pine forest.
Reverend J. J. F. Goodman organized the first church. In March 1882, with immediate members of his family and a few other members he held his first service in a little church (which was really the school house). The church was finally taken into the Alapaha Circuit of the Methodist Conference about 1887. In 1888, the Reverend J. M. Foster, an elegant and militant young preacher of the Methodist Conference supplied pulpit and announced a revival. When the revival closed, they had added 75 new members to the church.
Soon fire was set to the little school house and it was burned, but the pastor, with the assistance of H. H. Tift, immediately built another building to be used as a school and church. This church was hardly completed when it was burned. Almost immediately after that a new church was built, larger and better. Several attempts were made to burn it. Members of the church, in relays of two, guarded the church at night until they saw someone building a fire under the church one night. He was shot or perhaps wounded by one of the sentinels but never apprehended. This ended the fight. Church began to grow and prosper.
About 1887, Captain Tift, owning all the land in the vicinity, laid out a town and began selling lots. But before selling one, he made a careful investigation to determine whether or not the purchaser would make a desirable citizen. It soon grew and in 1890 was incorporated. The Methodist Church continued to be the only community center. Its doors were opened to all Christian denominations desiring to use it until they were able to build churches of their own. The Baptists were the first to build their own church.
J. J. F. Goodman organized and kept the first church organized in Tifton.
J. J. F. Goodman at this time has two daughters living: Mrs. Fannie Paulk of Valdosta and Mrs. Maggie Evers of Tifton. Also, he has two daughter -in-laws living: Mrs. J. O. Goodman in Brookfield, Georgia and Mrs. George Goodman of Warner Robins, Georgia (204 S. Pattie Drive).
Written by Dorothy Goodman
J. J. F. Goodman's Great-Grandchild
Story told by
R. H. McMillan, Jr. (written by Dot Goodman Sims)
My family lived on the farm next to the Goodman Farm in Brookfield. I remember getting a horse when I was about 12 years old (this was when Brother Goodman was an older man) and a friend of mine and I would ride our horses over to a grape arbor in the front yard of the Goodman house. Brother Goodman would sit in his rocker and watch us and he always looked as though it pleased him to see us enjoy ourselves.
There were two church denominations in Brookfield at the time -- the Methodists and the Baptists. The two denominations would rotate Sundays for holding services -- only it was mostly the same people at both services. I remember that there was a bench (facing perpendicular) at the front of one of the churches where several of the elders would sit. Brother Goodman always sat on that bench and I remember how "distinguished" he always looked with his white mustache and beard, wearing a suit and string bowtie. He always stood out in any crowd as being a true gentleman.