20, 1861, being the eldest son of Mr. George and Mrs.
Catherine Goodwin. His parents taught him until he was old
enough to enter the public schools taught by "Yankee
teachers." Having lost his father at an early age, he
subsequently experienced some difficulty in remaining in
school. However, his now sainted mother, by the assistance
of his uncle, Mr. Charles Goodwin, kept him in school. For
two consecutive years it was necessary for him to walk
twelve miles daily in order to secure proper school
advantages. While yet a lad he attracted the attention of
both races and was several times offered good positions as a
public school teacher. He, however, taught a private school
four miles from the city and was thereby able to attend the
Augusta Institute, now the Atlanta Baptist College. In the
spring of 1879 he united with the historic Springfield
Baptist Church, Augusta, Ga., where, for three generations,
his parents and paternal grandparents had worshiped. May 29,
1884, he graduated from the Atlanta Baptist College as
salutatorian.

On leaving school he took up teaching as a profession, in
which he has been eminently successful in developing
hundreds of young people. He has filled with credit and
satisfaction the principalship of Eddy High School at
Milledgeville, Ga., Union Academy, Gainesville, Fla.,
Preparatory Department, Livingstone College, Salisbury,
N. C.; also Atlanta Baptist College and Waller Baptist
Institute, Augusta, Ga. He was the prime factor in the
movement which resulted in the organization of the present
Georgia State Teachers' Association, of which he was
secretary for a number of years. In the organization of the
Florida Teachers' Association he was one of the original
members. As an institute lecturer he is helpful in many
ways.

Having received a call to the pastorate of the Second
Baptist Church at Gainesville, Fla., his church at Augusta,
Ga., ordained him to the ministry, January 6, 1889. He was
very successful in this work in connection with his school
duties. In July, 1895, he was happily married to the
talented Miss Anna Laura Gardner of Augusta, Ga.

In attempting to answer this question, I do so fully cognizant of the
widely differing opinions which are superinduced by the present
restive state of