Goodrich, Montgomery P.

Born: 1813-04-19 Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Died: 1876-10-05 Mount Auburn, Illinois

Flourished: Mount Auburn, Illinois

Montgomery P. Goodrich was a postmaster, justice of the peace, county government official, farmer, merchant, and pioneer of Christian County, Illinois. Goodrich arrived in Illinois in 1838, settling in Springfield. In 1840, he moved to Mount Auburn, where he resided the remainder of his life. Goodrich supervised the construction of the Christian County Courthouse in Taylorville, and later served as a member of the Christian County Court. He served as a justice of the peace for many years. In January 1845, Goodrich married Mary Milligan, with whom he had five children. From July 1845 to June 1853, he was postmaster for Mount Auburn. In 1847, Goodrich received appointment as Christian County surveyor. In 1850, Goodrich was farming and owned real property valued at $3,500. In April 1858, Goodrich again became postmaster of Mount Auburn, holding the job until January 1864. In 1860, he owned real property valued at $1,000 and a personal estate of $300.

History of Christian County, Illinois (Philadelphia: Brink, McDonough, 1880), 242-43; Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Christian County, 15 January 1845, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1845 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1845), 392*; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1847 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1847), 418*; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1859 (Washington, DC: William A. Harris, 1859), 66*; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1861 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1862), 369*; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1863 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1864), 345; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971, NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls, Records of the Post Office Department, RG 28, 1832-1844, 12B:572; 1845-1855, 18:24; 1855-1865, 20A:16, National Archives Building, Washington, DC; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Christian County, IL, 156; U.S. Census Office, Eighth Census of the United States (1860), Christian County, IL, 232; Gravestone, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Mount Auburn, IL.