John Abbot Goodwin | |
Term Start: | 1860 |
Term End: | 1861 |
Predecessor: | Charles Hale |
Successor: | Alexander H. Bullock |
Term Start2: | 1859 |
Term End2: | 1861 |
Term Start3: | 1859 |
Term End3: | 1861 |
Birth Date: | May 21, 1824 |
Birth Place: | Sterling, Massachusetts |
Profession: | Educator, journalist |
Spouse: | Martha Fisher |
Children: | William Bradford Goodwin |
John Abbot Goodwin was an American educator,[1] journalist, author and politician who served as a member, and from 1860 to 1861, as the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Goodwin was the brother of American writer Jane G. Austin.[2] Goodwin married Martha Fisher of Sudbury, Massachusetts,[3] they had a son, William Bradford Goodwin.[1]
Goodwin was a teacher for many years[1] and authored the book The Pilgrim Republic: An historical review of the colony of New Plymouth, which was well received upon its publication.[4] Goodwin was for a time the superintendent of schools of Lawrence, Massachusetts.[1]
Goodwin was involved in the management of the Lawrence Courier.[1] In 1854 Goodwin moved to Lowell to take over the running of the Lowell Courier.[1] After working for a year[1] at the Courier[1] Goodwin became the editor[1] [3] of the Lowell Daily Citizen and News.[5] Goodwin spent two tears as editor of the Daily Citizen and News.[1]
Goodwin was a member of the Lowell Board of Aldermen for two years, and spent ten consecutive years as a member of the Lowell School Committee.[1] Goodwin was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1857 and 1859 to 1861, serving as House Speaker for his last two years.[1]
On April 12, 1861 Goodwin received an appointment from President Lincoln to the position of postmaster of Lowell, a position that he held for thirteen years.[1]
Goodwin died on September 24, 1884, he was buried in the cemetery in south Sudbury, Massachusetts[6]