Lyman Goodnow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lyman Goodnow
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| Born | February 12, 1799 |
| Died | 1884 (aged 84–85) |
| Burial place | Prairie Home Cemetery, Waukesha, Wisconsin |
| Occupation | Quarry owner |
| Known for | Underground journey of Caroline Quarlls from Wisconsin to Canada |
Lyman Goodnow (1799–1884) was a brave man from Waukesha, Wisconsin. He played a very important role in the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.
Early Life and Work
Lyman Goodnow was born on February 12, 1799. His hometown was Rutland, Massachusetts. When he was young, his family moved to New York. He worked on farms and in construction. Later, he moved to Wisconsin to be near his sister and brother.
In Wisconsin, he started a business. He owned a quarry in a place called Prairieville. Today, this area is known as Waukesha. A quarry is where stone is dug out of the ground. He sold native stone and lime from his quarry.
Helping Others to Freedom
Lyman Goodnow was a true hero of the Underground Railroad. He was one of the first people in Wisconsin to actively help enslaved people escape. The Underground Railroad was not a real railroad. It was a secret system of safe houses and routes. It helped people escape slavery in the Southern United States. These brave people traveled north to free states or Canada.
Goodnow is most famous for helping a young girl named Caroline Quarlls. In 1842, Caroline was only 16 years old. She was the first enslaved person to travel through Wisconsin on the Underground Railroad. Lyman Goodnow guided her on this dangerous journey.
Caroline's Journey to Freedom
Caroline and Goodnow traveled through many secret stops in Wisconsin. These stops included Prairieville (now Waukesha) and Spring Prairie. They then continued through Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Slave hunters and lawyers often chased them.
Their journey was long and difficult. They stopped at the home of Guy Beckley in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This was the last stop before Detroit. From Detroit, they crossed the Detroit River into Canada. Goodnow guided Caroline about 31 miles (50 km) into Canada.
Abolitionists, who were people against slavery, gave them supplies. These supplies helped them cross the border. Caroline's journey lasted five weeks. She traveled through many states to reach Canada. There, she lived a free life. Caroline later wrote to Goodnow. She told him about her life, her marriage, and her six children.
Later Life
Lyman Goodnow got married in 1844. The hard work at his quarry affected his health. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Waukesha.
In 1848, he moved to Omro, Wisconsin. This land was once home to the Menominee people. His third child was the first white child born on these lands. After more years of poor health, he returned to Waukesha in 1850.
Lyman Goodnow died in 1884. He was buried at the Prairie Home Cemetery. In 1934, the Waukesha County Historical Society placed a special bronze tablet on his grave. It honors him as the "First conductor of Wisconsin's underground railroad." It also mentions how he helped Caroline Quarlls find freedom in Canada.
