William Goodell (abolitionist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Goodell
|
|
|---|---|
.png) |
|
| Born | October 25, 1792 Coventry, New York |
| Died | February 14, 1878 (aged 85) Janesville, Wisconsin |
| Spouse | Clarissa C. Cady |
| Children | two |
William Goodell (born October 25, 1792 – died February 14, 1878) was an important American activist. He worked hard to end slavery and promote the temperance movement. He was born in Coventry, New York.
Contents
Early Life and Fighting for Change
When William was a young boy, he was sick for several years. He had to stay in his room a lot. During this time, he found a love for religion and writing. After his parents passed away, William moved to Pomfret, Connecticut. He lived there with his grandmother. He went to school but could not afford to go to college.
As a young man, William Goodell worked many different jobs. He lived in various parts of the country. None of these jobs combined his interests in writing and religion. In 1823, while working in Providence, Rhode Island, he met and married Clarissa C. Cady. They had two children together.
Starting as a Journalist
In 1827, when he was 35, Goodell became a journalist. He wrote for a reform journal in Providence. This job allowed him to write about his religious beliefs. His articles mostly focused on the temperance movement. This movement encouraged people to drink less alcohol.
Later, the journal's office moved to New York. Goodell became a leader of the American Temperance Society. This group worked to reduce alcohol use in the United States.
A Leader Against Slavery
In 1833, William Goodell helped create two important groups. These were the New-York Anti-Slavery Society and the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS). These groups worked to end slavery. He became an editor for a newspaper called The Emancipator. He also served on the AASS Executive Committee.
In 1835, Goodell left The Emancipator. He then focused his energy on the New York State Anti-Slavery Society. He edited their newspaper, the Friend of Man, in Utica, New York.
Fighting Through Politics
While in Utica, Goodell worked to end slavery through political action. He helped form the Liberty Party in 1840. This party was created to fight against slavery. Goodell wrote the party's main ideas and plans.
Two years later, Goodell left the Friend of Man. He started his own newspaper. He wanted to encourage churches to take a strong stand against slavery. He believed it was wrong for churches to stay neutral on the issue.
Speaking Out in Churches
Goodell hoped to bring together all churches that spoke out against slavery. He called this idea a "Christian Union." For nine years, Goodell worked as a pastor. He led anti-slavery churches in Honeoye, New York.
Running for President
In 1852, Goodell was chosen as the Liberty Party's choice for President of the United States. His running mate was S.M. Bell from Virginia. His party wanted to completely end slavery. They also fought for equal rights for African Americans.
Goodell believed that if slavery ended, people's unfair ideas (prejudices) also needed to go away. He thought African Americans should gain equal rights. Goodell was also considered for president by the Liberty Party in 1860. However, he did not get the nomination that year.
Writing Books and Papers
During the 1850s, Goodell edited another newspaper called the American Jubilee. It was later renamed the Radical Abolitionist. He also wrote an important book in 1852. It was called Slavery and Anti-Slavery: A History of the Great Struggle In Both Hemispheres.
The next year, he published The American Slave Code in Theory and Practice. This book showed how slavery was wrong. It argued against people who said slavery was good for the economy. Goodell said that slavery caused great human suffering. He also argued that it was not truly good for the economy.
Later Life and Legacy
After the Civil War ended, Goodell went back to fighting for temperance. He helped create the Prohibition Party. This party wanted to ban alcohol. He moved to Goshen, Connecticut, and later to Janesville, Wisconsin. He passed away in Janesville.
Goodell's daughter, Lavinia Goodell (1839–1880), became very famous. She was the first woman allowed to practice law in Wisconsin. His grandson, William Goodell Frost, became the president of Berea College.
