Thomas Goode (merchant)

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Thomas Goode snr. JP. (May 1816 – 25 October 1882) (Goode sounds like 'good') was a South Australian merchant closely associated with the Murray River town of Goolwa.

Goode was born in the parish of Thornbury, Herefordshire, England, in May 1816. In 1851 he arrived in South Australia, and in 1852 pitched his tent in Goolwa and shortly afterwards built a wooden general store and dwelling house near where the police station later stood. In those days Goolwa was known as "The Elbow", and Port Elliot as "The Knob", and the few residents were located in huts, the day of houses not having arrived for a locality so far away from the metropolis.[1]

Goolwa was at the entrance through the Murray Mouth through which Captain Cadell's steamer the Lady Augusta made its first trip up the river as far as Swan Hill with Governor Young and party, and from where William Randell in Mary Ann made the same trip with little fanfare. The River Murray Steam Navigation Company followed, the tramway to Port Elliot was constructed, and the famous attempt at a breakwater there, later abandoned.[1] It became a major transport hub before the construction of the road network, particularly of wool and wheat.

As Goolwa prospered his business grew with it, and necessitated the erection of commodious premises in Cadell Street. In 1873 he took over the business and stock of competitor Emanuel Cohen.[2] Around 1880, with failing health, he gave up the business to his two sons, Thomas and Edward Goode, and retired to his residence "Thornbury", a short distance from the township. He suffered considerably before dying, and was buried in the Currency Creek cemetery.[1][3] In March 1884 the shop was largely destroyed by fire,[4] and was rebuilt within the old walls, which had survived largely intact.[5]

In 1952 Thomas Goode & Co. of Goolwa celebrated the 100th year of trading in Goolwa, for most of that time in the same premises, and at that time under the managership of Harold Goode.[3] The shop was still standing in 2011, as a homewares and clothing store "Chantillie Place", owned by local resident Peter Smith.[6]

Other interests

Mr Goode was chosen as Goolwa's first mayor, and for a number of years filled the office of Justice of the Peace also. The Southern Agricultural Society many times re-elected him as its President,[1] and he was frequently urged to accept nomination to the House of Assembly, but he always declined. He believed in the practicability of the Goolwa canal scheme (which would have cut a direct route from the town to the sea; a scheme for which a parliamentary Bill was passed[7] but never implemented), and advocated its formation with great energy, gathering a great deal of information and making some valuable diagrams and models illustrating how it could be carried out.[8]

In those days of limited populations in country villages medical attendance was a scarce article, but fortunately for Goolwa Mr. Goode had considerable skill and knowledge in surgery and pharmacy (he was a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain),[9] and his advice and medicines were greatly valued,[1] without fee or reward, as many owners of broken legs and arms could testify.[8]

Family

Bibliography

References

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