MARTIN LUTHER GOODYKOONTZ. A native son of Anderson Township who has spent his entire career in this section of Madison County, Mr. Goodykoontz stands in the front rank of the agriculturists of his community, and through his work in developing his present fine property of one hundred and forty-five acres is entitled to mention among the men who have contributed to the prosperity of their Township and County. He was born on the 25th of March, 1858, just one mile east of his present farm, on a property which his grandfather, Jacob Goodykoontz, had entered from the government. He is a son of Daniel and Nancy (Watkins) Goodykoontz.
Jacob Goodykoontz, the grandfather, was born .in Floyd County, Virginia, and brought his family to Madison County about 1830. Foe many years the name was well represented here, but at this time they are widely scattered and Martin Luther is the only member of his immediate family found in Madison County. Daniel Goodykoontz was born in Floyd County, Virginia, and was a lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents to Madison County, Here he was reared and educated and here married Nancy Watkins, a Madison County girl. He continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his active career, and was known as one of the substantial men and public-spirited citizens of his community. He and his wife became the parents of two children, Martin L, and William Arthur, but the latter died when only one year old.
Martin L. Goodykoontz was born in a pioneer log cabin and grew to manhood in the uncultivated community of his native place, being reared to habits of industry and economy, He attended the common schools during the winter terms and spent his summers in assisting his father, and when he reached his majority engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. He has improved all his land, now some of the best to be found in the Township, and has engaged extensively in general farming operations and in breeding Short-Born cattle and other good breeds of stock. He uses modern methods and machinery, has improved his farm with buildings of a substantial character, and through good management and persistent effort has made a success of all his ventures.
On October 30, 1895, Mr. Goodykoontz was married to Miss Orpha Malone, a daughter of Eleazer and Elizabeth (Kinsey) Malone, natives of Frederick County, Maryland, who migrated first to Pennsylvania, thence to Indiana, in about 1836, and in 1865 came to Madison County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Malone had the following named children: William, who is deceased; Hiram: James, deceased; Adolphus; Joseph; Mary and Anna who are deceased; John, deceased: Charles; Sarah C., now Mrs. Edmund Jeffries of Montsea, Pennsylvania; Orpha, now Mrs. Goodykoontz; and Elizabeth, now Mrs, Daglish. Mr. and Mrs. Goodykoontz have no children, but have reared two adopted daughters, Venita Sapp and Bessie Tindall.
Mr. Goodykoontz is a stockholder and director in the Farmers Trust Company of Anderson, and he is a Democrat in his politic affiliations. He has always kept in touch with the live political and civic interests of the day, but has not entered public life as a seeker after office. He is essentially a home man, being content to devote his energies to the cultivation of his land. An automobile enthusiast, he finds that his handsome Buick car not only affords the means of recreation but is a great help in his business affairs. With his wife he attends the Methodist Episcopal church.