William Henry Goodrich was born on 19 January 1823 at
New Haven, Connecticut.
2 He was the son of
Chauncey Allen Goodrich and
Julia Frances Webster.
1 He married
Mary Prichard, daughter of
Gilman Prichard and
Mary Briggs, on 23 April 1850 at
New Haven, Connecticut.
3 He died on 11 July 1874 at
Lausanne, Switzerland, at age 51.
2 Transcribed from Case: "graduated at Yale in 1843, and at the Theological Department in 1847, and was immediately called to the tutorship in the college. After several months' travel in Europe, he was ordained pastor of the First Congregational Church in Bristol, Conn., in 1850, where he remained until 1854, when he resigned and accepted the pastorate charge of the Presbyterian Church in Binghamton, N.Y; in 1858, he left there and became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, O., where he remained until his death. In 1872, ill-health compelled him to rest, and he went to Europe, and died at Lausanne, Switzerland, July 11, 1874.
He was distinguished by a character of remarkable symmetry; to rare natural endowments were added a broad culture and rich, scholarly attainments; his quick sympathy, geniality, and fine sense of humor, combined with a peculiar tact, fitted him eminently for social life, and won the confidence of all with whom he came in contact. As a preacher he was distinctively spiritual and practical. "His sermons were models of finished composition, symmetrical, and complete, and their delivery faultless." But it was as a pastor that he was preeminent. His power of organization and development were shown in the remarkable growth of the churches under his care; and in his more personal relation to his people, his devotion found response in the exceptional confidence and affection of the whole church."
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