Joseph Carter Goodrich DDS

Dr. Goodrich was a dentist in Wentzville for over 40 years, born in Amherst County Virginia April 14, 1825, to Gideon (1785-1835) and Elizabeth Carter (1793-1859) Goodrich. His father was a farmer and Dr. Goodrich received his early education in the small schools in Callaway and Monroe Counties.

In 1847, Dr. Goodrich enlisted in the United States Army. He fought in the Mexican War, and in July of 1848 he received an honorable discharge. 

Dr. Goodrich trained in what was then called the Dental Arts under Dr. Socrates Hubbard in Danville, Missouri. Dr. Hubbard was a physician, who had come to Missouri from the east, and had “on occasion” practiced dentistry. After training for less than three months, Dr. Goodrich, opened a dental practice in Danville, Missouri in 1852.

In 1858, he married Ann Sarah Frans (10-27-1835/09-/28-1875), in Truxton, Missouri.  Ann’s mother was a Shelton and her grandmother was an Allen, early settlers in the Wentzville area. 

In 1859 Dr. Goodrich and Ann settled in Wentzville. Dr. Goodrich and Ann had 8 children. Carrie who married Melville S. Ball, Mary who married Preston Randolph, John J who married Mary Ingersall, Anna who was born about 1865 and died sometime before 1880 (I have not found where Anna is buried), Nancy who married William S. Heady Jr., Joseph who was born in 1869 and died in 1872 (he is buried in Linn Cemetery along with a nephew who died as a child), William who married Louise Sloat and also became a dentist, and James. I find no birth or death record for James. Ann Frans Goodrich died in 1875, she is buried in Linn Cemetery.

On August 10, 1879 Dr. Goodrich married Mrs. Maria Julia Womack.  Her youngest daughter  Julia married Caleb C. Dula. Dula would become President and later Chairman of the Board of Ligget and Myers Tobacco Company.

Dr. Goodrich was a charter member of the Missouri State Dental Association. When he began the study of the dental profession it was crude at best, but Dr. Goodrich is credited with developing new ideas and plans that were adopted by others in the profession. In 1870 he was elected president of the MSDA. In 1890, the Missouri Dental College conferred upon him an honorary DDS degree.

 He was a 32-year member of the Masonic Fraternity, Wentzville Lodge #46. He entered apprentice July 27, 1867, reached Fellowcraft August 17, 1867, and became a Master Mason September 14, 1867. He served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1875.

Dr. Goodrich passed away November 29, 1899, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. He was laid to rest Thanksgiving Day. His obituary notes that the Masonic Lodge oversaw the funeral arrangements. Dr. Goodrich is buried in Linn Cemetery with his first wife.

For a complete biography of Dr. Goodrich look at our post on the Wentzville Historical Society Facebook Page.