First Mansfield Advertiser Editor a Civil War Veteran
O.D. Goodenough
The first Mansfield Advertiser was published January 21, 1873, a Tuesday. Mr. O.D. Goodenough was its editor. He came to Mansfield from Towanda, where he had worked on the “Towanda Item”. Mr. Goodenough was well known as an “itemixer” columnist. The first issue of the Advertiser received very good comments from neighboring and distant papers. The Advertiser took over the “Valley Enterprize” which apparently had folded. Its editor had been Major V.A. Elliott, who went to Denver, Colo. Mr. Goodenough was a Civil War veteran as had been Major Elliott. J.S. Hoard, who had been the editor of the older Mansfield Express published in 1855, also took part in the Civil War.
O.D. Goodenough enlisted as a musician in the Regimental Band of the 6th Pennsylvania reserves. This regiment was composed of men who had responded to the call of President Lincoln, issued immediately after the fall of Fort Sumter. They participated in the following battles: Drainesville, Malvern Hill, Gaines Mills, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Bethesda Church. In this last engagement, although but 150 strong it captured 102 and buried 72 rebels in its front. It was mustered out of service June 14, 1864, after three years service in the camp and on the march in which it shared the privations and hardships as were the glory of the Army of the Potomac. When the General Mansfield Post, No. 48 of Mansfield, Tioga County, Pa., was organized with eighteen members on August 18, 1875, the subject of this sketch was elected as its first commander. This post is the oldest in Tioga County and had a large membership at one time nearly two hundred veterans being enrolled. O.D. GOODENOUGH was born in Towanda, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted as a Musician in the Reg’t. Band of the 6th PA Reserves and was honorably discharged July 31st 1862. This regiment was composed of men who had responded to the call of President Lincoln issued immediately after the fall of Fort Sumter. It participated in the following battles, Dranesville, Malvern Hill, Gaines Mills, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Bethesda Church. In the last engagement although but 150 strong it captured 102 and buried 72 Rebels in it front. It was mustered out of service June 14th 1864. Its Colonel was W. Wallace Ricketts of Columbia County. After three years service in the camp and in the march, in which it shared the privations and hardships as were as the glory of the Army of the Potomac. This regiment on June 1st 1864 started where it was mustered out of service on June 14th. When General Mansfield Post No. 48 of Mansfield, Tioga County, PA, was organized with eighteen members on Aug. 18th 1875, the subject of this sketch was elected as its first commander. This Post is the oldest in Tioga County and had a large membership at one time – nearly two hundred veterans being enrolled.
Currently a resident of Burke, Virginia - I'm originally from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have been a student of the Pennsylvania Reserves since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy telling their story. By trade I'm a former IT Professional but presently working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.
