John Zacheus Goodrich (September 27, 1804 – April 19, 1885) was an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives and the 24th lieutenant governor of Massachusetts. He was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts on September 27, 1804. He attended the common schools and Lenox Academy. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and engaged in manufacturing; he graduated from Williams College in 1848.[1]

John Z. Goodrich
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Massachusetts
In office
March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1855
Preceded byJulius Rockwell
Succeeded byMark Trafton
Constituency7th district (1851–53)
11th district (1853–55)
24th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
In office
January 1, 1861 – March 29, 1861
GovernorJohn Albion Andrew
Preceded byEliphalet Trask
Succeeded byJohn Nesmith
Member of the Massachusetts Senate
from the Berkshire district
In office
1848–1849
Preceded byThomas A. Bowen
Samuel A. Hurlburt
Succeeded byNathan Benjamin
Henry L. Dawes
Collector of Customs for the Port of Boston
In office
1861–1865
Preceded byJames Scollay Whitney
Succeeded byHannibal Hamlin
Personal details
Born(1804-09-27)September 27, 1804
Sheffield, Massachusetts
DiedApril 19, 1885(1885-04-19) (aged 80)
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Political partyWhig
Republican
ProfessionLawyer

Goodrich served in the Massachusetts State Senate, and was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-second and Thirty-third Congresses (March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1855). He was a member of the 1861 Peace Conference held in Washington, D.C.. He was elected as a Republican Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1860 and served from January 1, 1861, until his resignation on March 29, 1861. He also served as the president of the Union Emigration Society, a group dedicated to organizing the North for political action.[2]

Goodrich was appointed collector of customs at Boston on March 13 and served until March 11, 1865. He retired from public life and died in Stockbridge, Massachusetts on April 19, 1885. His interment was in Stockbridge Cemetery. He posthumously received one protest vote for Vice President at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.[3]

References edit

  • United States Congress. "John Z. Goodrich (id: G000295)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Massachusetts's 7th congressional district

March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853
Succeeded by
Preceded by
District re-established
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Massachusetts's 11th congressional district

March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
1861
Succeeded by