Major William H. Goodrell

MAJOR WILLIAM H. GOODRELL, the present assistant postmaster of Iowa City; was born July 19, 1841, in Guernsey county, Ohio. He came to Iowa City, November 1,1856. He enlisted as private in company B, 15th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, January 31, 1862; he was promoted to lieutenant and served on the staff of Major-General W. W. Belknap, with the rank of major; he bears the honor of having taken the first rebel flag of South Carolina that ever floated as such in that State. February 17, 1865, Major G. with [Lieutenant] McArthur of the l5th Iowa infantry, both serving on General Belknap's staff, with a detachment of the 13th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 4th division, 17th army corps, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Kennedy, crossed the river and entered Columbia, South Carolina, while a portion of the enemy were in the city marching through, and planted in advance of all others the regimental colors of the 13th Iowa, on both the old and new capitol buildings, and at the same time and from the old capitol building Major Goodrell captured the flag mentioned, and the same was sent to the State Historical Society of Iowa, and now on exhibition in the State Historical rooms on Washington streets, Iowa City, with a certificate that it is the first secession flag of South Carolina that floated over Fort Sumter. He was wounded at the battle of Wilson Creek, August 10, 1861. Major G. is a republican in politics, and was chairman of the Johnson County Republican Central Committee in 1862. He was married July 5,1865, to Miss Addie S. Way, of Iowa City. They have six children: Harry B., Lou., Clara W., Mary, George B., Adelaide. He was postal clerk on the C., R. I. & P. R. R. for five years, and member of the capitol police force for two years, 1878 to'80.

SOURCE: History Of Johnson County, Iowa, 1883, p. 828-9