The coal mining community of Goodwill, WV is named after the elder, Robert Goodwill. Robert Goodwill's life is discussed below. ROBERT GOODWILL, coal operator, was born at Lone End, Northumberland county, England, October 7, 1827, son of Anthony G. and Margaret (Fleeman) Goodwill. At the age of ten he began the life of a miner at Belford, England, where he remained seven years. He then went to Scotland and followed mining until the age of twenty-seven, when he immigrated to this country. His first employment in America was at Gold Mine Gap, Dauphin county Pennsylvania, where he remained three years. He then came to this county and obtained a contract at the Lancaster colliery, which he worked fourteen months. He next went to Trevorton and was engaged in mining there for many years. In 1864 he formed a partnership with A. A. Heim, under the firm name of Heim & Goodwill, and worked the Bear Valley colliery until November 15, 1877, when it was sold to the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. In connection with his partner, A. A. Heim, they leased the Diamond Gas and Coal Company's colliery, and the Pentcost, located at Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, which they operated ten years. In December, 1869, they purchased a quarter interest in the Monitor colliery from Richard B. Douty, and in March, 1870, another quarter interest was obtained. But in September of the latter year they sold their interest in the Monitor. During 1877 Mr. Goodwill occupied the position of superintendent with the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. In 1878 he built the Carson colliery and operated it three years, and then retired from active business. In 1886 he again entered business, organized the Goodwill Coal and Coke Company of Flipping, West Virginia, and leased a colliery from the Blue Stone Coal Company, and in connection with it has in operation fifty coke ovens. Mr. Goodwill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a trustee fifteen years. He also was trustee of the Second Methodist Episcopal church four years. Politically he is a Republican, and is one of Shamokin's most substantial citizens. He was married, July 27, 1847, in England, to Catherine, daughter of Philip and Margaret (Jures) Wake, and by this union they have had five children, three of whom are living; Anthony G., a merchant of Shamokin, and Philip and William, members of the Goodwill Coal and Coke Company of West Virginia. In the early 1900s Goodwill (named after the Goodwill family) had two saw mills, two coal tipples, two power plants, two company stores, two schools, three churches, a union hall, post office, theater, dance hall, pool room, shoe shop, doctors office, and over a hundred homes. In 1950, Goodwill had a population of 1536. In 1958, the mine was closed, and the residents left. All the buildings were torn down except for one house. Today Goodwill is only a memory. Robert and Phillip Goodwill opened a coal mine and started building the Goodwill Coal Camp in 1886. Jairus Collins opened another mine in that area in 1887. There are now only memories of the two saw mills, two coal tipples, two power plant, two company stores, two schools, three churches, a union hall, post office, theater, dance hall, pool room, shoe shop, doctors office, and over a hundred homes. In 1950, Goodwill had a population of 1536. By 1958, the mine was closed, and the residents left; all the buildings were torn down except for one house. This house was still occupied in the year 2001. The Goodwill Coal Campany, located at Flipping, WV got its name from the from of Robert Goodwill. Robert Goodwill was born in Northumberland county, England, October 7, 1827. He was the son of Anthony G. and Margaret (Fleeman) Goodwill. Robert Goodwill was married, in England, to Katherine, daughter of Philip and Margaret (Jures) Wake on July 27, 1847, He and Catherine had five childrern. Their three sons were Philip and William, both members of the Goodwill Coal and Coke Company of West Virginia and Anthony G. Goodwill. Anthony was Vice President of the Goodwill Coal & Coke Co. and was a merchant of Shamokin, PA. At the age of 25, Robert Goodwill came to America in 1852 with his wife, Katherine Wake, and oldest son, Anthony G. Robert settled in Gold Mine Gap, Pennsylvania, near the city of Shamokin. He had been a coal miner in England since the age of nine and continued until he started his own coal company at Shamokin. After hearing the news of the thick seams of coal in southern West Virginia, Robert traveled to Pocahontas and secured a lease for 800 acres of coal land from the Flat Top Land Association. In 1886 Robert Goodwill first began organizing the Goodwill Coal and Coke Company of Flipping, West Virginia. He leased a colliery from the Blue Stone Coal Company and in November 1886 and conducted business under this name until December 1888, when the company was incorporated as The Goodwill Coal and Coke Company. The Goodwill Family owned the entire stock in the company. Robert was company President, Anthony G. was Vice President. Philip Goodwill was general manager and treasurer, and William F. Goodwill was secretary. Robert Goodwill was listed as President of Goodwill Coal and Coke Company until 1892, and then he resigned from that position on account of failing health. Anthony and William became presidents of coal companies and other businesses in Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Philip became President of the Goodwill Coal and Coke Company. Robert Goodwill returned to Shamokin, Pennsylvania and died in 1898. Robert Goodwill's son, Philip Paddock Goodwill lived his life out in Bramwell, WV. Robert Goodwill Birthdate: October 07, 1827 Birthplace: Northumberland, England, United Kingdom. Death: December 17, 1898 (71) Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. Burial: Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. Immediate Family: Robert Goodwill was the son of Anthony Gregson Goodwill and Margaret Fleeman. Anthony Gregson Goodwill married Margaret Fleming and had 11 children. He passed away on 13 Mar 1841 in Belford, England. Robert Goodwill was the father of four children: Anthony G Goodwill; Margaret Goodwill; Philip Paddock Goodwill, Sr. and William F. Goodwill.

Senior Robert Goodwill Marker