Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 1056. ALBERT J. GOODBROD A very well-known resident of Union, Union county, Oregon, was born in Germany, February 27, 1844. He came to America with his parents when he was very small. His mother died when he was a small boy, and thus Albert was thrown upon the world to fight the battle of life as his young and inexperienced judgment might dictate. He had some limited school advantages during his youth, and improved every opportunity with advantage to himself. At an early age he chose the bakery trade, in which he became proficient in all its details, which he followed at Newark, New Jersey, until the war of the Rebellion was begun, when he enlisted as a private in Company B, Scott's Nine Hundred, First United States Cavalry. He started to the front from Staten Island, and went to Washington, District of Columbia. After serving two years in the Army of the Potomac, the regiment was ordered to New Orleans, where it was changed to the Eleventh New York Cavalry. Mr. Goodbrod was in several skirmishes in Maryland, from Muddy Branch to Harper's Ferry; was also at the battle of Leesburg, the second battle of Bull Run, and at Fairfax Courthouse, where, on June 27, 1863, the Union armies fought the Confederate Generals, Lee, Stewart, and Stonewall Jackson. At this place he was unfortunate enough to be wounded by a minie ball, which broke the fourth joint of his backbone, leaving a hole three inches in diameter, which he carried to this day. This wound kept him in the hospital for seven months, after which he joined his regiment, and went to New Orleans. From New Orleans he went to Carleton, and from there to Baton Rouge. The fall of 1864, in Louisiana, in a skirmish at Liberty, Mr. Goodbrod was again wounded, and later on, at Brook Haven received a severe wound in the head from a saber cut while in a hand, to, hand conflict with the rebels. This wound, however, did not disable him, but the scar he still carries. After this he went to Baton Rouge. He then obtained a furlough of sixty days, which he enjoyed at home, at the expiration of which he rejoined his regiment at Memphis, Tennessee, where it was engaged in guarding between seventy and 100 miles of railroad, but was afterward sent to Germantown, where they were at the time of the surrender of General Lee, and where they remained several months, until they were sent to Albany, New York, where they received their discharge. Mr. Goodbrod served at Bull Run under General McDowell, at Leesburg under General Wadsworth, in Mississippi under General Banks, and under General Thomas in Tennessee. At the close of the war Mr. Goodbrod returned home, probably not dreaming or realizing that the battle of life had just begun. He made his way to San Francisco, California, from which place, in company with five others, he started for Silver City, Idaho, which place was then the center of attraction for all gold-seekers. The thought of being able to dig gold in large quantities from the earth inspired the then inexperienced pilgrims with the nerve to face and fight all hardships and obstacles that might confront them. While en route, and in the eastern portion of the State of Oregon, they were attacked by a large number of Indians, but made their escape through a deep canyon. A few days later they were overtaken by a band of Chinamen at Dry creek, where there was but little water, not enough hardly for the little company of six, so the Chinamen were asked to proceed, which they did, going on to Owyhee river, where they were attacked by the Indians and were all killed (forty in number) except one, who some way made his escape. After a hard fight with Big Foot Chief and his band, at the mouth of Cow creek, the little party arrived at their destination. News came to Silver City that Indians were committing depredations on the north fork of the Owyhee, known as Battle creek, and upon a call for volunteers, thirty-eight men from Silver City, among them Mr. Goodbrod volunteered, under Captain Jennings, to render assistance to the settlers. The company followed up the north fork of the Owyhee, where they were surrounded by about 400 Indians in a deep canyon, but made a successful break through the Indian line, losing two men and several horses. Going on to the front, the party came to a spring, where they were again surrounded by about 800 of the red skins, and were held for several days. The guides, Jim Beebe, David Picket, and Archie McIntosh, a half-breed, managed to make their escape through the Indian lines, by tying sage brush all over them, and going out one dark night. One of the guides went to Camp Lyons, one to Flint, and one to Silver City, for assistance to relieve the imprisoned men. Three days later the Indians began to disperse, which was the first tidings they had had of the guides; it being evident that they had been successful in getting thorough the lines. Assistance soon arrived, which averted what would otherwise have been a bloody massacre. Mr. Goodbrod remained in Silver City until 1872, and then came to Grande Ronde valley. He has since lived at Walla Walla, Washington and other points along the then stage route from Boise City, Idaho, to the Dalles, in Oregon. He was for a while engaged in farming near Union, Oregon, was there three time elected Marshal of the city, which office he filled with credit to himself and benefit to the city. As an officer, he was a terror to evildoers. In 1887 he purchased the Centennial Hotel, in Union, which he continued to manage until the summer of 1892. His manner of conducting the house has given it a name, of which he may well feel proud. It was considered one of the best between Portland and Salt Lake City. In 1890 Mr. Goodbrod was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Shoemaker, an Oregon-born lady, belonging to one of the best families of the State. The union has been blessed with one son, George Albert, born October 17, 1891. Mr. Goodbrod has been successful in business, and has at all times been liberal handed toward all matters of a public or charitable nature. He is a man that never was contented to be idle. He is the owner of one of the nicest residences in the city, together with a tract of fifteen acres, which he takes great pride in keeping in fine condition. He is a valued member of the G.A.R., Levi P. Morton Post, at La Grande, Oregon, of which he is now J. V. Commander. He has also been Commander of Preston Post, No. 18, at Union. He takes a great and active interest in the G.A.R. organization, and on last Decoration day presented Levi P. Morton Post with a fine flag, appropriately inscribed with the name and number of the Post. The presentation speech was one of the pleasantest features of the affair, and the gift was highly appreciated by his comrades, who well knew how bravely his honors were won in the war of the Rebellion. Politically, he is a Republican; such a brave soldier could not be otherwise. He is also an Odd Fellow, and Red Man, in which orders he holds offices. He is a man that enjoys the respect and esteem of this fellow-men, and is a valuable member of society. Transcriber's additional notes: 1880, June 7; Union Co, OR; Union Pct, p 153 Albert Goodbrod, 36, NJ, Wirtemburg, Wirtemburg, single, farmer 1900, June 7; Union Co, OR; Union Pct 2, p 161 A. J. Goodbroad, 56, Feb 1844, GER, GER, GER, mar 10 yrs, to US 1852, fruit grower Louisa, wife, 41, March 1859, OR, PA, PA, mar 10 yrs, 2 children-2 living George, son, 8, Oct 1891, OR, GER, OR Adrian, son, 5, June 1894, OR, GER, OR Ellie McGuire, lodger, 48, Oct 1851, WV, WV, WV, mar 14 yrs, laborer Geo. W. Bell, lodger, 58, Dec 1841, TN, Holl, Scot, mar 9 yrs, farm laborer 1910, April 16; Union Co, OR; Union Pct 2, p 185 Albert J. Goodbrod, 66, GER, GER, GER, Mar 1, mar 19 yrs, to US 1857?, farmer Louise, wife, 50, OR, GER, OR, Mar 1, mar 19 yrs, 3 children-2 living George A, son, 18, OR, GER, OR, bookkeeper, lumber company Adren, son, 16, OR, GER, OR ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.