Isaac was born in Whitingham, Vermont on January 17, 1814 as one of six children of William and Sybil Arms Goodnow. Isaac began work at the age of eleven years old as a farm hand, then as a factory worker. He worked in the factory for four years (from 1830 - 1833) and then worked as a merchant's clerk until 1838. While working, Isaac attended common school and then Wesleyan Academy in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. In 1838, Isaac was appointed professor of natural sciences at Wesleyan Academy.
Also in 1838, Isaac married Ellen D. Denison. They shared their Methodist faith (Isaac joined the Methodist Church in 1832) and devotion to Abolitionism. Isaac was also close friends with Ellen's brother, Joseph Denison. Isaac taught at Wesleyan Academy (known today as Wilbraham Academy) until 1848. A biography of Isaac and his involvement with the Academy can be found in a History of Wesleyan Academy published in 1893. From 1848 to 1852, Isaac taught natural science classes at Providence Seminary in Rhode Island. Isaac and his wife, Ellen, left New England for Kansas Territory in 1855 with the New England Emigrant Aid Company. |
Isaac T. Goodnow Ledger Vol. #1 https://krex.k-state.edu/dspace/handle/2097/34611 Isaac T. Goodnow Ledger Vol. #2 https://krex.k-state.edu/dspace/handle/2097/34612 |