Ernest Leroy "Roy" Goodrich

Ernest Leroy Goodrich was the first son of Rhoda Slade and George Albert Goodrich. His mother called him "Dear Leroy" although his name was shortened to "Roy" by almost everyone that knew him.

Along with many other young people in the Naples Ward, Leroy enjoyed and participated in musical activities. It may have been this beautiful soprano that first caught his attention, for it was Sarah Elizabeth Bingham of the choir whom he chose to be his wife. Her brother, Charles Bingham, was a close friend of Leroy's.

It was a six day covered wagon trek to Salt Lake to get married and a six day trek to get home. The first year they lived in a house that belonged to Sarah's father, C.P. Bingham. Leroy was busy getting logs ready to use in building a house on some land located on the Uintah Indian Reservation, about 20 miles north and west of Vernal. That locale is now called Tridell.

Their first child, Glen B. Goodrich, was born August 6, 1906, The following spring they moved to their reservation home. This farm produced sufficient foodstuffs, but at the close of the growing season, they took their belongings, including the milk cow and her young calf which they loaded into the back of the wagon, and left to find work which would supply needed cash. Once again they lived in the Bingham house, and Leroy took a job shearing sheep.

On April 5, 1908, their first daughter, Mildred Goodrich, was born. With a fine son and now a lovely daughter they were getting off to a good start. When the sheep-shearing job was finished, they went again to live on the Tridell property. The snow was heavy that year and the place was very desolate and lonely, so when a Mr. Morrill offered to buy their farm, they readily accepted the offer.

They left for Roosevelt where they were able to purchase a 40-acre place which adjoined Sarah's parents' new farm. They were barely settled in and only ten days after their arrival, their third child, Oral, was born on October 6, 1909.

Another baby, Ralph Leroy Goodrich, was born on September 22, 1911. He was a lovely boy, but died of pneumonia during a whooping-cough epidemic. He lived only six months, and was referred to as "Little Ralph" to distinguish him from Sarah's brother Ralph.

Leroy took pride in his farm. It was neat and quite well equipped. His horses were of the very best, and he gave them good care. There were roosts for the chickens, many turkeys, and even a few guinea hens; a hay derrick and stacks of hay; straw cellars for root vegetables; a cellar for stored food and a cream separator; and a huge ice house.

Almost like a second family were the next three children, Lynn B. (nicknamed "Mike") Goodrich was born May 27, 1917; born on the fourth of July, 1920 was Dorothea; and Beth (short for Elizabeth) on September 17, 1922. They came at a period when Leroy had replaced his white-topped buggy and horses with a Model-T Ford. The older three children were nearly grown.

Leroy enjoyed his son, Lynn's company a great deal and nicknamed him "Mike". It was a very sad time when, on November 18, 1928, Lynn was thrown from his horse while driving the cows, and killed. Leroy was never content to live on the farm after his tragic accident.

When Roy's health slowly failed, he was patiently cared for by Sarah and his children who lived nearby. He passed away on a wintry day in January.
----------------
E. L. Goodrich Funeral Held In Roosevelt.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the Roosevelt Third LDS Ward Chapel for E. LeRoy Goodrich, 81, who died Sunday at his home in Roosevelt of causes incident to age.

Mr. Goodrich was born August 25, 1881 in Morgan, Utah, a son of George A. and Rhoda Slade Goodrich. He was married to Sarah Bingham in 1904 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

Mr. Goodrich was a retired farmer and served as Uintah County commissioner four years.

He is survived by his widow; son, daughters, Glen Goodrich, Mrs. Howard (Beth) Reynolds, all of Roosevelt; Mrs. M. F. (Oral) Burrows, Mrs. Donald (Dot) Marker, Walnut Creek, California; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are brothers, John, Bluebell, Duchesne County; Arthur, Salt Lake City; sisters, Mrs. Floyd (Edith) Case, Mount Emmons, Duchesne County; Mrs. Arvil (Ruth) Stone, Lehi; half-brothers, half sisters, A. G. Goodrich, Moses Lake, Washington; Byron Goodrich, Mrs. Elmer (Lucy) Lind, Mrs. Vilate Bodily, all of Vernal; Leslie Goodrich, Bluebell; Mrs. Elmer (Leona) Manwaring, Salt Lake City.

Burial was in the Roosevelt City Cemetery under the direction of the Olpin Mortuary.

-Vernal Express, January 17, 1963, transcribed by Rhonda Holton

* Check out the Goodrich Family Organization

siblings: Marian Augusta Goodrich