William C. Goudy

William Charles Goudy (May 15, 1824 – April 29, 1893) was an American politician and attorney from Indiana. Arriving in Illinois in 1833, he matriculated at Illinois College and then studied law with Stephen T. Logan. He opened a successful law practice in Lewistown, Illinois and was elected district attorney in 1853. He was elected to the Illinois Senate, serving from 1856 to 1860. Goudy moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1859 and became consul for the Chicago and North Western Railway Company

Biography

William Charles Goudy was born on May 15, 1824, in Indiana. He attended public schools and worked in his father's printing office. He arrived in Illinois with his family in 1833. Upon reaching adulthood, Goudy decided to pursue a career in law and enrolled at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois. While there, he was a founder of Sigma Pi Literary Society. He graduated in 1845 and taught school in Decatur, Illinois. In 1843, he studied at the law office of Stephen T. Logan. There, Goudy became a close friend of Stephen's son David.

Goudy was admitted to the bar in 1847 and opened a practice with Hezekiah M. Wead in Lewistown, Illinois. He first took an interest in politics in 1849 and was elected district attorney of the 10th Judicial District four years later. He resigned in 1855 to announce his candidacy for the Illinois Senate. He was successful in his election bid and served two consecutive two-year terms as a Democrat from 1856 to 1860. He was buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.

Goudy was the first President of the Chicago Bar Association in 1874.