- HON. THEODORE W. GOLDIN, though yet scarcely more than forty-five
years of age, has
- passed through more peril and enjoyed more honor than usually
fall to the lot of men of twice his years. He is of English descent
although for many generations his forbears have been born on
American soil. His grandfather, George G. GOLDIN, resided many
years in the city of New York, where he carried on business as
an architect, as well as a contractor and builder. He was the
father of four children, one of whom, Reuben W., became the father
of Hon. Theodore W. GOLDIN, of Janesville.
- Reuben W. GOLDIN came with his parents to Wisconsin about
1848, a youth of sixteen years.
- The family settled in the town of Newark, a few miles west
of the present city of Beloit, and there he attended school,
and learned the trade of a harness maker. After a few years he
found his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for several
years, and where he married, his wife being Elizabeth BRADFIELD,
of Columbiana county, Ohio, who was one of a family of five children.
Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Returning to Wisconsin,
Mr. GOLDIN located first in Janesville, but soon took up his
residence at Albany, Green county, where he engaged in business
as a dealer in saddlery, harness, trunks and other leather goods.
Later he removed to Brodhead, where he passed the remainder of
his life, some twenty-five years, dying in 1893, at the age of
sixty-one. His venerable widow yet survives him, her home being
at Brodhead. Mr. GOLDIN was a man keenly alive to the public
interests, and enjoyed a full confidence and respect of his fellow
citizens, who elected him to various town and city offices. Although
brought up under Quaker influences, it was his custom to accompany
his wife to the Methodist Church, of which she was a member.
- Hon. Theodore W. GOLDIN was his parents' only child. He was
born in the town of Avon, Rock
- county, July 25, 1856, attended the public schools, and at
an early age began to learn the harness making trade. The employment,
however, was not to his liking. He desired a life more stirring
and full of adventure, and after three years he entered the employ
of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co., first as an office
assistant, and later as a brakeman. He was also for a time in
the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road. In
1873 he enlisted in the 7th U.S. Cavalry, serving for four years
and eight months, first as a private, and later as a sergeant.
This was the regiment formerly commanded by the gallant and unfortunate
Gen. CUSTER, whose sad fate at the hands of the copper-colored
savages of the Plains plunged an entire nation into mourning.
Mr. GOLDIN was with the General until within an hour and a half
of the time when the gallant leader, with 257 of his men, was
so foully and cruelly massacred. At the time of the carnage Sergt.
GOLDIN was with Major RENO, and he enjoys the distinction of
being the only one of that heroic band who escaped slaughter.
In commemoration of his participation in the affair Congress
voted him a Congressional medal of honor, which is one of his
most highly prized possessions.
- After leaving the army our subject entered the service of
the Northwestern Stage & Express Co.,
- with which he remained eighteen months. Returning home, he
entered into business with his father, but when the latter disposed
of his store he once more began the life of a railroad man, working
first for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Co., later for
the Wisconsin Central. In 1881 he again went home to Brodhead,
and in the autumn of 1882 was elected clerk of the Circuit Court
of Green county, which office he continued to hold until Nov.
1, 1885, resigning to form a law partnership with Hon. B. F.
DUNWIDDIE, of Janesville, who at present occupies a seat on the
Bench of the Circuit Court. Later William G. WHEELER (afterward
district attorney for Rock county) was admitted to the firm,
which was, however, dissolved in 1895, upon the election of Mr.
GOLDIN to the Circuit Court clerkship for Rock county. This office
he still holds, his native ability, painstaking accuracy and
long experience peculiarly qualifying him for the discharge of
its responsible duties. He is known throughout the length and
breadth of the State, and is everywhere held in high esteem.
Of strong personality and resolute will, he leaves his impression
on everything which falls under his control, while his gentle
disposition and generous nature endear him to his friends.
- Mr. GOLDIN is a thirty-second degree Mason, and is at present
Grand Commander of the State
- of Wisconsin. He was initiated into the fraternity in Smith
Lodge, Monroe, and his immediate affiliations at present are
with Western Star Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M., of Janesville;
Janesville Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M; Janesville Commandery, No.
2, K. T.; and the Milwaukee Consistory. Both he and his wife
are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He also belongs
to Oriental Lodge, No. 2, K. of P., and to the B.P.O.E. His political
creed is that of the Republican party.
- On Feb. 23, 1881, Mr. GOLDIN was united in marriage with
Miss Laura DUNWIDDIE, a
- daughter of David and Cynthia (MITCHELL) DUNWIDDIE, of Janesville.
To their union has been born one son, Herbert D.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c)1901, pp. 780-781.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|