25) John H. Goodwin: Elected mayor for the Town of Welland in 1913 & 1914

Vital statistics

Birth: March 7, 1875 at London, England

Death: May 4, 1940 at Melancthon, Dufferin, Ontario, Canada (age 65)

Burial place: Fonthill Cemetery (Find a Grave)

Parents: John H. / Isabella

Spouse: Edith Henrietta

Children: Murray / Lloyd / Edith

Occupation: Clothing business

Religion: Presbyterian

Community affiliations: Town Councillor / Police Magistrate / Board of Niagara Peninsula Sanatorium / President of Ontario Division of Navy League of Canada / Welland Water Board / Merritt Masonic Lodge / Board of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church / President of Board of Trade

Profile

John Goodwin was born on March 7, 1875 in London, England to John H. and Isabella Goodwin. His father died when John was very young and his mother decided to move the family to Canada. He lived in Milverton, then Stratford (where he went to public school and later the Stratford Business College) and then Niagara Falls, before finally moving to Welland in the year 1900 when he was twenty five.

He partnered with William Ross to open a men’s clothing and men’s furnishing business, called Goodwin & Ross, located at 31 East Main Street. Their business succeeded immediately which was credited to extensive newspaper advertising and honest methods. Their business philosophy was small profits with a large volume of business, and their early motto was “Up to date goods for wide awake people.” Goodwin and Ross sold their business in 1918. Goodwin also bought what was then known as the Wholly Hotel and also erected the well-known Temple Building in 1911, which they moved their business to. In 1920 he built a beautiful family residence at 20 Shotwell Street.

He was a man with a quiet disposition and methodical in his habits; he could always be relied upon to assist in community projects. He first became involved with the municipality when he was elected as councillor in 1907 and 1908, then he ran and was elected as mayor in 1913 and 1914. 1914 was especially notable for being the year Canada entered into WWI; when Britain declared war on August 4, 1914 Canada was automatically entered as well. Goodwin said “As far as the matter of finances of Welland are concerned the war could not have come at a more opportune time. If it had happened a year ago it would have found us with a bank overdraft of nearly four hundred thousand dollars, the accumulation of four or five years’ municipal works, the payment of which had not been arranged… So far as Welland is concerned we see no difficulties ahead.” He was quoted again later that month in a more general way about the war: “I am sorry that war exists, yet it is necessary. We feel proud that we are to contribute our sons in this fight for right and the freedom of government. It is not a war with the German people but with the War Lord, the Kaiser. The Germans are an intelligent, peace-loving people who are being driven into a war which they do not want. I have every confidence in our soldiers and hope they will return with ranks unbroken.”

At the end of his second stint as mayor, John decided not to run again. He said the “work connected with his office had occupied from one half to two thirds of his time for the past two years… the municipality’s money had never been so well spent as in the past two years.” He received effusive praise from fellow councillors. Mr. Crow said Goodwin had “filled the chair with a great deal of ability, as great as any mayor preceding him. He has given more of his time to the interests of the corporation than any mayor in the history of the town. This has been a year of big things…” Mr. Vaughan said “An arch-angel from heaven couldn’t have pleased me better.” Solicitor Gross said that “During the two years’ regime of Mayor Goodwin over a million dollars have been spent by the Town of Welland, an amount greater than the entire total from the time of incorporation and let it be noted that not one penny has stuck to the hands of any councillors.”

John later became Police Magistrate for Welland, a position he filled for many years. In this capacity he displayed a wisdom and knowledge of human nature that gave him a reputation for fairness and impartial judgment. John passed away on May 4, 1940 at Melancthon, Ontario: he suffered a six-foot fall down a riverbank while visiting a fishing resort in Dufferin County with his son Murray.

An editorial in the paper after he died summed him up this way: “He lived in Welland during a period in which the city steadily grew and improved as an industrial and residential centre. John Goodwin could claim credit for a share of the advancement achieved and he earned the right to be known as a good citizen.”

Sources

  • Coombs, Albert Ernest, “The History of the Niagara Peninsula” (1930), 382-384.
  • “8 Lives Lost Over the Weekend.” Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, May 6, 1940.
  • “Goodwin & Ross.” Souvenir of the Town of Welland, August 22, 1902.
  • “John Goodwin Dies Suddenly.” Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, May 4, 1940.
  • “The Late John Goodwin.” Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, May 6, 1940.
  • “Municipal Finances in Good Shape to Meet War Stringency.” Welland Telegraph, August 7, 1914.
  • “Praise for Mayor Goodwin.” Welland Telegraph, December 18, 1914.
  • “Strenuous Contest for Welland Town Municipal Honors.” Welland Tribune, December 31, 1914.
  • “Tributes to Mayor.” Welland Tribune, December 17, 1914.
  • “Welland Feels Effects of European Struggle.” Welland Telegraph, August 25, 1914.
25) John H. Goodwin: Elected mayor for the Town of Welland in 1913 & 1914