He was educated in Eureka College, and when he was 18 years old spent two years in California. On his return, he raised one crop of tobacco which netted him $1500, and thereafter during the Civil War he devoted his time to the raising, manufacturing and dealing in the weed. Toward its close, however, the price declined and the government tax and restrictions discouraged the further prosecution of the business, and in company with his brother John he opened a general store, in which he was engaged about six years. After that he began buying and selling live stock, which he followed successfully for 15 or 20 years.
Frank Goodall was married on November 26, 1863. His wife was Miss Mary Jane Dunaway, the daughter of Samuel Dunaway and Julia Ann Tarpley. She was born January 3, 1847 in Williamson County. The couple had three children but only one survived childhood.
In 1863 he began mercantile life as a member of the firm of J. & F. M. Goodall. Four years later he conducted the flouring-mills on West Main Street, and four years still later he built the woolen mills here, which he operated until he sold both, in 1871.
In the 1870 census, the couple is found to be living in West Marion Township. Frank is 31, Mary 23 and daughter Annie, born Nov. 1869 is aged 8 months. Frank is listed by occupation as a miller. They have a domestic servant, an 18 year old, live-in female named Sarah Williams.
Frank purchased the ground on the northeast corner of North Market Street and the public square in 1872 at a cost of $1,600, and erected a substantial brick structure in 1873.It was the only first-class hotel in Marion, a two-story building (50×75 feet) above the basement. The corner room was used for a store.The family occupied the second floor of one-half of the building, where they had a beautiful home. Goodspeed’s History mentions that at the time of the books writing the Goodall house was called the Simmon’s House.
In the 1880 census they are included in the City of Marion and are likely living in the second floor of the Goodall building at 204 Public Square. Daughter Annie is now 15 and Frank still lists himself as a tobacconist. It was in this year that the parnership of Frank Goodall and David R. Mohler formed the Goodall and Mohler Cigar and Tobacco factory which occupied a location in the northeast corner of the square. It was damaged in a fire report dated April 7, 1881.
On October 17, 1883, daughter Annie marries James M. Boston and moves out of the family home. (Note: Her husband’s name was listed Boston in the Illinois Regional Archives for their marriage but the 1900 federal census has it listed as Borton.)
The original Goodall building was destroyed by fire with all its contents on December 8, 1898. It was replaced with another building which was erected in 1900 on the ruins of the old. The replacement building still stands today, as of this writing in 2013.
After his tobacco dealing days, he did some business in real estate and devoted his time and attention to the management of his own properties.
By the 1900 census, Frank is now 61 and Mary Jane is 53. Daughter Annie has become widowed and she and her children are back living with her parents. Annie Borton’s children are listed as Mark Borton aged 15 and Englina ?(Anglina) B. Borton is aged 10.
By 1904, Annie (Goodall) Borton remarries to Edward Reed of Worcester, Mass. and becomes Anna Reed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reed were practicing Osteopathic Physicians in Worcester, Mass. and considered very successful in their chosen profession.
Mr. Goodall had been a staunch temperance man all his life, and one of the busiest and most persistent workers for Prohibition in the state. His faith in the efficiency and final success of the policy was unswerving. His recognition by his fellow-workers in that field was universal and extended into adjoining states. He was frequently seen at conventions and had done much to shape the public policy of the party, and was a delegate to the National Convention held at Indianapolis in June, 1904.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Goodall were prominent members of the Christian Church, and both belonged to the Knights and Ladies of Honor. Mr. Goodall was a member of the A. F. & A. M., but had to withdraw for a long time as age and health prevented his attendance.
Mary Jane (Dunaway) Goodall died on January 6, 1906 at age 59 and F.M. Goodall passed away on December 31, 1908. Both were buried at Rose Hill Cemetery just south of the entrance to Goddard Chapel.
(Data from 1905 Souvenir History, WCHS; Federal Census Records; Marion City Directories; Marion City Cemetery Records; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 04/23/2013)