John Goodnow

John Goodnow (June 29, 1858 – December 7, 1907) was a businessman and American diplomat who served for eight years as United States Consul General in Shanghai.

John Goodnow
Consul General of the United States, Shanghai
In office
1897–1905
Preceded byThomas R. Jernigan
Succeeded byJames Linn Rodgers
Personal details
Born(1858-06-29)29 June 1858
Greensburg, Indiana, United States of America
Died7 December 1907(1907-12-07) (aged 49)
Málaga, Spain

Early life

Goodnow was born June 29, 1858, in Greensburg, Indiana, the son of Lt Col. James Goodnow of the 12th Indiana Volunteers. He attended the University of Minnesota and resided in Minneapolis until 1897.[1]

Diplomatic career

In 1897, Goodnow was nominated for the position of United States Consul-General in Shanghai, China by Republican President William McKinley. He had been president of the Republican State League.[2] His nomination had been opposed by Republicans in his home state.[3] However, the Senate approved the nomination.

Goodnow resigned from the foreign service in 1905 following an investigation into misconduct in office. The alleged misconduct included permitting the transfer of Chinese ships to the US flag under a fraudulent bill of sale; irregularity of accounts; improper threat of legal proceedings and breaking and entering into premises of a US Citizen.[4][5][6][7]

Death

Goodnow died of apoplexy in Málaga, Spain on December 7, 1897.[8] He was buried in the English Cemetery, Málaga.[9]

References
  1. Obituary, North China Herald 13 Dec 1907
  2. Salt Lake City Herald, Thursday, March 29, 1894
  3. "Nomination Opposed: Minnesota Protests Against Selection of John Goodnow as Consul General to Shanghai", New York Times, July 8, 1897.
  4. Letter from Herbert H. D. Peirce to William Loeb
  5. https://www.nytimes.com | Sept. 29, 1904 | ACCUSES CONSUL GOODNOW.; Lawyer of Shanghai Makes Charges Against Our Representative | Special to The New York Times |
  6. https://books.google.com | Report on Inspection of United States Consulates in the Orient | Message from the President of the United States, transmitting a communication from the secretary of state | United States, Department of State, Herbert Henry Davis Peirce | 1906 | page 271 |
  7. "The Political Graveyard: Politicians in Trouble or Disgrace: Minnesota".
  8. The Winnipeg Tribune, December 1907
  9. Personajes con historia en el Cementerio Inglés.
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