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EZRA GOODYEAR was born in February, 1848 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the second child of four to the first marriage of Benjamin Curtis Goodyear. His mother, Catherine Stoner, died when he was only four and a half years old, and he, along with his siblings, were raised by Benjamin's second wife, Catherine Ramp.

It is not known why he left home, but in July of 1863 near Harrisburg he joined a group of soldiers of the 8th Illinois Cavalry escorting the body of General Elon Farnsworth from Gettysburg. He rode with them to Alexandria, Virginia, was put into uniform, and sworn in at Petersville, Maryland on July 18, 1863. The officer who swore him in asked his age and he said he was 18, for fear they would not accept him. He was actually only 15 years and 6 months old.

A "description" card in his Military records shows that he was (supposedly) 18 years old, stood 5' 5 1/2", had brown hair and eyes, and a fair complexion.
Another document shows that he was enlisted for a period of "3 years (or war)."

Joined Company K, 8th Illinois Cavalry Regiment on August 17, 1863 near Martlet's Station, Virginia.
Fought on September 13, 1863 at Culpeper, VA.
From Octoeber 31, 1863 to April 30, 1864 he was listed as "With detachment in Army of Potomac."
Fought on July 7, 1864 at Monocacy, MD.
Fought on July 8, 1864 at Frederick, MD.
Fought on July 9, 1864 at Monocacy, MD. ("The Battle that saved Washington")
Fought on July 18, 1864 at Cockeysville, MD.
Fought on July 30, 1864 at Monocacy, MD.
Fought on October 9, 1864 at Piedmont, VA.
Fought on October 10, 1864 at Reedtown, VA.
Fought on October 11, 1864 at White Plains, VA.
Fought on October 30, 1864 at Upperville, MD
Fought on November 11, 1864 at Manassas Junction, VA.

From January through April of 1865 he was "On Detached Service" with General Sheridan's forces in and around Burke's Station, Virginia. It was near there (Sailors Creek) on April 6, 1865 that Sheridan's forces cut off, and killed or captured 7,600 of the remaining Confederate forces, and in so doing, helped bring about their final surrender on April 9, 1865.

Ezra was never wounded in any of these engagements.

On April 14, 1865 Ezra and the 8th Illinois were camped in Alexandria, Virginia.
That night President Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC.
The 8th Illinois was involved in the search for John Wilkes Booth, and were Honor Guard for President Lincoln's funeral train.

The 8th Illinois was mustered out on July 17, 1865, at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, MO.

Ezra returned to Carlisle for a time, and was married with 2 daughters there in 1870.
He then went to Plainfield, Illinois (presumably to meet with fellow soldiers) until at least March of 1886, then eventually back to Carlisle.

Ezra first married Ellen Day, and they had two daughters, Mary Catherine and Minnie, before Ellen died.

He later married Anna Hays, Great Granddaughter of Mary "Molly Pitcher" Ludwig Hays.

In 1890 Ezra worked as an engineer, and the family lived at 105 Hermit Street, Roxboro, Philadelphia, PA.

In 1900 Ezra worked as a watchman, and the family lived at 3765 Cresson Street, Manayunk, Philadelphia, PA.

Ezra and Anna had three children; Eva, Frederick Hays, and Charles Ezra.

Ezra died on March 7, 1904 in Manayunk, Philadelphia, and is buried in Westminster Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

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