Cumberland County, Maine - Lewis Alden Goudy
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Biography
Lewis Alden Goudy
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 99-101

Lewis Alden Goudy, President of the Goudy & Kent Corporation, and a resident of
Portland since 1869, was born at Boothbay, Me., June 10, 1849, son of Alden and
Augusta P. (Soule) Goudy. His mother, a daughter of David Soule, of Woolwich,
Me., is lineally descended from George Soule, who came over in the "Mayflower,"
and was afterward prominent in the early history of the Plymouth Colony. He was
one of the men sent out to gather food for the first Thanksgiving dinner, and
one of the seven men selected by Miles Standish to make the first reconnoisance
for Indians. On the paternal side Mr. Goudy's great-grandfather, who was a
pioneer of York County, held a commission from the Massachusetts General Court
as Sheriff of the Province of Maine, and executed the first criminal convicted
and sentenced in the Province. Sheriff Goudy's son Amos, who was the grandfather
of Lewis Alden, followed the occupations of farmer and miller, resided in
Bristol, and married a Miss Church, a member of the noted Church family of New
England. One of the paternal ancestors of his wife was commander of a privateer
put in commission by the governor of the colonies; and a mahogany table, made
from a portion of a cargo captured by him, is preserved as an heirloom by Mr.
Goudy's mother.

Alden Goudy was born in 1821 at Bristol, this State, where he passed his earlier
years in farming and milling. He subsequently fitted himself for the profession
of a teacher at the old Lincoln Academy, New Castle. After engaging in that
calling for a few years, he entered a mercantile business at Boothbay. A man of
intelligence and of strong individuality, he became prominent in town and county
affairs, and served as Selectman and Justice of the Peace for many years. He was
an active temperance leader, and during the agitation preceding the adoption of
the Maine Prohibitory Law assisted in destroying a large quantity of liquor. He
was a total abstainer from both liquor and tobacco, his son Lewis following in
his footsteps. Of his union with Miss Soule, six children were born, Lewis Alden
being the first-born.

Lewis Alden Goudy acquired his early education in the schools of Boothbay and
Bath. In 1869, after completing his education, he came to this city, leaving his
position as clerk of the Maine Central Railway Comteany at Bath to accept
another with a wholesale grain and flour house. He remained with this firm for
twelve consecutive years, having had but one week's vacation, but becoming chief
clerk and accountant of the establishment. In 1881 Mr. Goudy formed a
partnership with Winthrop C. Cobb, and carried on a general baking business for
the following year, under the firm name of W. C. Cobb & Co. Then the senior
partner retired; and Mr. Goudy continued the business alone until 1886, when the
plant was consolidated with that of R. Kent & Son under the name of Goudy &
Kent. The new firm carried on the manufacture of crackers and biscuits, making a
specialty of pilot bread, which had been manufactured and sold throughout New
England by the Kents for upward of sixty years. The partnership lasted until
January, 1891, when Mr. Kent retired, owing to failing health. Mr. Goudy, having
acquired all of the the rights of the old firm, has since conducted the business
under the same style. In February, 1893, the firm was incorporated with an
authorized capital of two hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Goudy being made
President. On September 30, 1892, the entire plant was destroyed by fire,
causing a very heavy loss. The confectionery plant having been left intact, Mr.
Goudy continued the business without intermission, buying the requisite supplies
from friendly competitors. The plant had an area of thirty thousand square feet,
and gave employment to from seventy-five to a hundred people. On rebuilding, its
capacity was greatly increased, and the latest modem conveniences, in both the
biscuit and confectionery departments, were added. The factory is now the
largest of the kind east of Boston, giving employment to six travelling salesmen
in addition to five local wagon salesmen.

Mr. Goudy is Treasurer of the Lakeside Press, a Director of the Casco Box
Company, and Vice-President of the Portland Board of Trade.

On February 23, 1873, Mr. Goudy was united in wedlock with Annie J. Ayers,
daughter of Joseph and Harriet Ayers. The union has been blessed by the birth of
four children; namely, Annie Louise, Isabelle A., Ellen C., and Alice D. Mr.
Goudy is broad and liberal in his religious views, and regularly attends the
Williston Church. Mrs. Goudy, who is an accomplished musician, has sung in the
choir of the State Street Church for the past twenty years.

Politically, Mr. Goudy is a stanch Republican, serving his party frequently as a
delegate to different conventions, but always declining official position. He is
identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Ancient Landmark
Lodge, Mt. Vernon Chapter, Portland Council, and Portland Commandcry. He has
membership, in Beacon Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; in Ivanhoe Lodge,
Knights of Pythias; in the Portland Club, the Young Men's Republican Club, and
the Mechanic Association.