Below from HISTORY of the STATE of KANSAS by A.T. Andress, Chicago, 1883


"Rufus H.Gooding, farmer, Section 14, P.O. Kennekuk, was born in Fleming County, KY., February 26, 1824, son of Samuel and Margaret Gooding: His father's people were English, his mother's whose family name was Hinton, was of Scotch origin. He lived at home with his parents until October 15, 1846, when he was married to Miss Margaret McCoy, born in Kentucky, March 16, 1826. During the fall of 1849 they started west to California, but on arriving at Buchanan County, MO., met a friend who persuaded them to stop at that point. Mr. Gooding accordingly purchased a farm on which he lived until the spring of 1854, when he removed to Kansas and pre-empted a claim of 160 acres , being the farm where he now lives. He was the second settler in Grasshopper Township and remained on his claim through all the border troubles before and during the Rebellion. His life was often threatened, but nothing of a serious nature ever happened to him. Mr. Gooding and wife were original members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South Society, and the first sermon was preached at their residence by the Rev. f. M. Williams, services being afterward conducted at their home for one year. They are the parents of six daughters and one son, viz.-Charlotte, now Mrs. Henry Claunch, of Kennekuk; Nancy H., married to J. W. Perry, of Palmyra, Neb.; Margaret A., who is Mrs. George Billingsley;, Sarah J., now Mrs. A.F.Canter of Jordan Valley, Oregon; Mary J., Elizabeth M. and Frankie D."