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.