Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/732

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

the Southern cause, regarding the struggle of the South as a struggle for constitutional liberty and the rights of freemen. He was twice elected to the Confederate congress, serving from February 22, 1862, to the end of the war. During the recesses of congress he served as aide-de-camp on the staff of General Jubal A. Early. After the war he settled in Norfolk to practice his profession. While living there he was again elected to the legislature ; served in Democratic na- tional conventions ; and represented his dis- trict in congress for three terms. As a politi- cal speaker he thrust with a keen, but un- poisoned rapier, and made many friends and some political enemies. In May, 1885. he was appointed solicitor-general of the United States, and retained the office until August, 1886. As solicitor-general, as a member of the Chilean claims commission, as congress- man, member of various conventions, Mr. Goode earned a wide reputation as a pub- licist. In addition to this, and as possibly the crowning honor of his life, he was, with- out opposition, elected president of the Vir- ginia constitutional convention of 1901-02, a position which he filled with honor and dis- tinction.

Besides these political honors and prefer- ments, Mr. Goode was honored on another side. His chaste and polished style in pub- lic discourses made him one of the most prominent speakers in Virginia. His trib- utes to the past glories of his state, his great enthusiasm for her heroes, especially those of the war between the sections, stirred the hearts of thousands whose names were un- known to him. In recognition of these abil- ities, both Emory and Henry College and the College of William and Mary conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, and in sc doing honored themselves as much as they did him. To show his interest in keep- ing up the great memories of the past, Mr. Goode joined the Sons of the American Rev- olution, and the United Confederate Vet- erans. His interest in literary matters was clearly proved when he traveled from Wash- ington to Richmond to join the William and Mary Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Soci- ety, which met in Richmond on Jefferson's birthday, 1903 — the first meeting of that famous society ever known to have been held at Richmond.

As sources of inspiration and culture Mr. Goode believed in Shakespeare and the Bible.

In religious preference he was a liberal Epis- copalian. He was president of the constitu- tional convention of 1901-02. This honor came to him as the spontaneous expression of admiration for him on the part of two generations of younger Virginians. When the venerable delegate from Bedford county appeared, the whole convention seemed to feel that he was the most suitable candidate to preside over their deliberations. His elec- tion was unanimous. Not long before his death he published a book entitled "Recol- lections of a Lifetime," which was well re- ceived not only by the reading public of Virginia but by that of the country at large. On July ID, 1853, Mr. Goode married Sallie Urquhart, by whom he had five children.

John Breckinbridge Goode, son of John and Sallie ( Urquhart) Goode, received his preliminary education in the private schools of Norfolk, \'irginia, and at "Gault School." I'rivate tutors prepared him to enter Wash- ington and Lee University in 1880 and he remained a student of that institution for two years. He then entered the law school of Columbia University, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law in 1888. He was admitted to the District of Colum- bia bar and court of appeals of the state of Virginia in 1887, in which year he was aljo admitted to the cOurt of claims. District of Columbia. He was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the United States in the October term, i8go. Mr. Goode prac- ticed for a time in Washington. D. C., and subsequently practiced law for five years in Bedford county, Virginia. Mr. Goode was connected with the United States depart- ment of justice from 1887 to 1889. Presi- dent Grover Cleveland, in his second ad- ministration, appointed him chairman of the board of liberal land commissions to classify the northern Pacific land grants, which posi- tion he held for two years. He resigned to take up the general practice of law in the state of Idaho. During his residence in that state he was ]3rominently connected with public affairs. He was the candidate for the Democratic party of the state for governor, losing the election by six votes. He was also candidate of his party for the supreme court bench and was for many years presi- dent of the board of regents of the Univer- sity of Idaho. Mr. Goode removed to New York City. January i, 1907, to take up the general practice of law, and he has remamed