William Wallace Goodwin was born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, on the 13th of April, 1833.  Goodwin Chapter was named in his honor when he was only forty-nine.  his accomplishments must have been outstanding to receive such a an accolade at such an early age. 

    William Wallace was the son of Oliver W. Goodwin, and born of an old and distinguished Wethersfield line.  The father, a mechanical engineer, was a specialist in the design and construction of gas works and associated heating equipment.  The son became involved in the same line of work.  Both moved to New Jersey in following this business and settled in Bordentown.   They established in time the Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Company, of which the son was president for many years.

    A Lodge, Burlington, No. 32, was warranted at Burlington on January 10, 1855, and shortly thereafter both father and son became members.  William Wallace Goodwin was initiated Entered Apprentice on May 1, 1855: passed on May 28, 1855: raised to the sublimed Degree on June 4, 1855.   This must have gone beyond the rules of the Craft as the dispensations of the Grand Master for 1855 do not indicate that Burlington Lodge No. 32, had been granted dispensation to waive the one month between conferring of degrees.  He was, however, one of the youngest members of that Lodge.

    He was exalted in Boudinot Chapter, No.5 ( now No. 3 ), in 1855 also.  He became the second High Priest of that Chapter in 1856, and as the presiding officer, Played an important part in being the host of the representatives of Hiram Chapter No. 4 of Eatontown; Enterprise Chapter, No 2, of Jersey City; and Boudinot Chapter, No. 5: when they met in Odd Fellow's Hall in Burlington to form the second Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Jersey.  The date was December 30, 1856.

    At the election of Grand Officers at the preliminary meeting, he was elected to be Grand King of that fledgling Grand Chapter.  At the tender age of twenty-three he was installed with those officers on February 13, 1857, Just sixty days prior to his twenty-fourth birthday.

    Perhaps an idea of the respect in which he was held may be gleaned from this resolution passed at the formation Convention:  "On motion of Companion Goodwin: RESOLVED, That Comps. Goodwin, Tator and Doggett be a Committee to draft a Constitution for the government of this body" The resolution placed the first three Grand High Priests of the present Grand Chapter on the Committee, but the youngest is the chairman.

To be continued

Index.htm