Lincoln Goodale

Lincoln Goodale (February 25, 1782 – April 30, 1868) was the first medical doctor to live in Columbus, Ohio, United States. He was a great benefactor to the city and his legacy includes a large parcel of land that today is known as Goodale Park. His likeness in the form of a large bronze bust watches over the park.

Biography

Lincoln Goodale was born on February 25, 1782, in Worcester, Massachusetts and was a member of the first landing party in Marietta, Ohio. As a child, his father Major Nathan Goodale was killed by Native Americans during a ransom attempt and he was raised by his mother. He later received medical training from Dr. Leonard Jewett.

After the War of 1812, he moved to the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus. In Franklinton, he started his medical practice and established a general store, later using the profits to purchase land.

In 1845, he joined a group to build the Franklin and Ohio railroad, intending to use his land purchases for the railroad to gain access to the city. In 1849, he became a trustee on the board for the Sterling Medical College. He also donated land close to the park to Capital University,

On May 2, 1868, the date of his funeral, the Columbus City Council formed a meeting at 9 a.m. in order to determine the proper cause of death. The council then passed a public resolution recognizing his many contributions to the city and to the charities, as well as requiring the council chamber to be dressed in mourning for a period of 30 days. The city's mayor, officers and members of the council attended the funeral beginning at the Goodale family home where they joined friends, family, and the Franklin County Pioneers Association for a viewing. A funeral procession followed, leading the hearse to the First Presbyterian Church for the funeral at 10 a.m., after which, the procession continued to Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus for interment, where he remains buried today.