"James Goodwine, land owner and stock dealer, was born in Kentucky June 19, 1812, and is the third of eight children of James and Elizabeth (Snyder) Goodwine. The elder Goodwine was a soldier of the War of 1812, also of the Black Hawk War; was a pioneer of Warren County, and for many years Commissioner of the same.

When our subject was an infant, his parents moved to Jackson County, Indiana, and thence to Bartholomew County, where Mrs. Goodwine died and James first attended school. Afterward, the family removed to what is now Liberty Township. Mr. Goodwine died in this county in 1851.

On August 15, 1833, our subject was married to Miss Sophia Buckles, a native of Ohio, daughter of William and Lois Buckles. To this union were born twelve children - Mary J., John, William H., James, Frank, Washington, Louisa L., Christiana, Indiana, Marion, Horace and Fremont; of these five are deceased.

Mr. Goodwine's first land purchase was forty acres from his father, to which he has continued adding until he now owns 10,250 acres, only ninety of which are not drained and improved; he has also given a good farm to each of his children.

Mr. Goodwine handles from 1,200 to 1,500 head of cattle every year, and has 7,500 acres of pasture, and 1,000 acres of meadow land. Since 1874, he has been President of Warren County Agricultural Association.

He is a liberal and energetic citizen, contributing freely to every worthy enterprise. He had three sons in the late war - John (who died in the service at Savannah), and William and Frank (who were in Libby Prison). He is a Republican, but liberal, and Mrs. Goodwine is a member of the Universalist Church." - Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana, 1883, page 171