Michael Goodman immigrated as a child to Wisconsin from Ireland with his family. The family lived south of LaValle, Sauk county, close to Michael’s uncle, Thomas Goodman. Michael’s father, Peter, and his uncle Thomas worked at the pig iron foundry in Ironton. After processing, the iron was shipped to Lake Michigan, but when the port facilities did not materialize the foundry closed. This is probably what prompted a move to Janesville by the Peter Goodman family where Michael eventually became a livery man. Because horses and wagons were the primary mode of transportation in the 1800’s livery stables were an integral part of the community. A livery stable offered horses, teams and wagons of all sorts for hire. Funeral Cortege in front of livery stable in Janesville, Wisconsin As automobiles became available in the early 1900’s livery stables slowly converted to include the use of cars for taxiing individuals. Michael Goodman’s l...
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