02/16/2026
In honor of Presidents Day, I would like to share some of the life story of Aaron Goodrich (1807-1887) second son of Levi & Eunice Goodrich, the founding elders of our town's namesake. Aaron Goodrich had a few connections with some of our past presidents. Sorry it is long but I hope you enjoy the read! This was written by Eno's Goodrich in 1886. " Aaron's life has been more varied and eventful. When the rest of us emigrated to Michigan he was engaged in a business partnership with the illustrious family of Wilkinson's of Buffalo, where he served as alderman of the city, while Judge Wilkinson was its Mayor. Of course you will all understand that was before Sam Wilkinson became known to the world as the publisher of "Beecher's Life of Christ." Soon after we came to Michigan he served his connection with the Wilkinson's, and coming here resided but a short time, and then emigrated to the State of Tennessee. Settling at Dover the count seat of Stewart county, he read and practiced law where he numbered some of the wealthiest men of the State among his clients, and among his personal acquaintance and friends some of the most illustrious - not the least of whom was Andrew Johnson, and afterwards President of the United States. He was elected and became a prominent and active member of the Tennessee Legislature, and finally in the political campaign of 1848 he was nominated in the Whig ticket as a candidate for Presidential elector in opposition to Hon. Isham G. Harris, former Governor and present United States Senator of that State. After a spirited canvas, conducted face to face in regular Southern style, he was elected, and in the Electoral College cast his vote for old "Rough and Ready," (Zachery Taylor) the popular hero of the Mexican war. Soon after he received the appointment of Chief Justice of Minnesota, upon its territorial organization. After years of service in that capacity, where he saw the city of St. Paul spring up like magic around him, he retired from the bench. Afterwards headed a Seward (Republican) delegation to the Chicago convention, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for Presidency, afterwards receiving the appointment of Secretary of Legation to Belgium. He served in that capacity for eight years, during the full terms of Lincoln and Johnson administration , and the returning home and retiring to private life , he stands today in you midst a private citizen, a devoted student, an original thinker and ripe with an observation of the world which the rest of us can never have. During his sojourn in the East he visited most of the public libraries of the great cities of Europe, and gathered much of the material for his work which produced quite a sensation- "A History of the Character and Achievements of the So-called Christopher Columbus." A work of 500 pages octavo, published by D. Appleton & Co. ., in 1874. The real name of Columbus is believed to have been Griego, who he shows to have been a pirate of forty years standing, getting possession of the log book of the dead mariner, and setting up for a discoverer." This book caused quite a sandal and is still in reprint, if you are interested in reading it. The Minnesota historical Society wrote, Judge Aaron Goodrich was a freeman and founding member of the local Masonic Lodge ( Saint Paul Lodge Number Three). He was a unionist and anti- abolitionist and a founding member of the Minnesota Historical Society. Goodrich was a Minnesota delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln but cast his vote for William H. Seward. At Seward's behest, Goodrich was appointed secretary of the United States Legation in Brussels, Belgium, by President Lincoln in 1861, remaining there until 1869. He met and married his wife in Belgium and had two daughters. Judge Aaron Goodrich is buried in the Historic Goodrich Cemetery.
