Theodore W. Goldin
Encyclopedia
Theodore W. Goldin served in the United States Army
during the American Indian Wars. He received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the Battle of the Little Bighorn
.
. His birth name has been lost. When Goldin was four, his family moved to Brodhead, Wisconsin
.
Goldin married Laura Belle Dunwiddie in 1881. The couple had one son, Herbert D. Goldin, in 1884. Laura died in 1911, and Goldin married Sarah J. Murphy in 1929.
Goldin also took part in the Battle of Bear Paw
in September and October 1877. He was discharged from the Army on November 13, 1877 for having enlisted under false pretenses, after his parents appealed to the Army for his discharge.
in fall of that year. He served as assistant chief clerk of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from 1882 to 1885. He became a Mason
in 1883, eventually rising to the 33-degree in 1902. Goldin moved in Janesville
in 1885, where he engaged in private practice. In 1889, Goldin was appointed a colonel
in the Wisconsin National Guard. From 1894 to 1896 he was president of the Janesville Board of Education, and in 1895-1903 was clerk of the circuit court for Rock County
. From 1903 to 1904, Goldin was chief clerk of the Wisconsin Senate.
Around the turn of the century, Goldin served as Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
. In 1904, Goldin sided with the Stalwarts in the Republican Party of Wisconsin: a conservative faction led by Senator John Coit Spooner
that was opposed to Governor Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
running for a third term. The "Spooner Faction", with Goldin as its chairman, was successful in getting their splinter party recognized over the liberal La Follette faction by the Republican National Committee
for the 1904 elections
.
But when "Fighting Bob" La Follette ended up winning re-election that fall, Goldin's political career in Wisconsin was finished.
Goldin soon after moved to Kansas City, Missouri
, where he worked as a director of the YMCA
in 1907. He wandered around the southwestern United States, landing in Oklahoma City
in 1911, Colorado
and El Paso, Texas
in 1912.
He retired to the Masonic Home in Dousman, Wisconsin
in 1924. In 1929, he moved to the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wisconsin
, where he died in 1935.
and praised General George A. Custer. Goldin claimed that Custer gave him a last message to be carried to Reno, shortly before Custer was killed. Goldin also campaigned to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his role in the Battle of Little Big Horn, writing to Captain Frederick Benteen
and speaking to Lieutenant Luther Hare
in person. In 1896 Joseph Doe, a fellow Wisconsin politician and Mason, and also Assistant Secretary of War
, found that there sufficient evidence for approval of a Medal of Honor for Goldin.
As the years went by, Goldin embellished his role in the battle more and more. The height of embellishment is found in a chapter in the book Northwestern fights and fighters by Cyrus Townsend Brady
. In addition to his claims of carrying Custer's last dispatch, Goldin claimed he joined the Seventh Cavalry in 1873, witnessed the death of Lt. Benjamin Hodgson, and was present for a discussion of strategy between Captain Myles Keogh
and General Custer. When others challenged his claims, Goldin claimed that Brady had distorted his letter.
Goldin's embellishments did not stop at his role in the Battle of Little Big Horn. He also added to his own personal biography. In a sketch published in a book about Rock County, he claimed to have been born in 1855, studied at Tilton University for four years and then, at age twenty, enlisted in the Army, where he served for nearly four years. The book also claims he was wounded twice at the Battle of Little Big Horn and was discharged due to disability.
In 1924, a Missouri congressman helped Goldin obtain a pension as a Medal of Honor recipient through a special act of Congress. In 1927, he was able to change his discharge from "not honorable" (due to his lies about his age) to "honorable" with the help of prominent friends.
He was buried in King, Wisconsin
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the American Indian Wars. He received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the Battle of the Little Bighorn
Battle of the Little Bighorn
The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army...
.
Early and personal life
Goldin was adopted as an infant by Reuben W. Goldin and Elizabeth E. Bradfield Goldin of Avon, WisconsinAvon, Wisconsin
Avon is a town in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 586 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Avon is located in the town.-Geography:...
. His birth name has been lost. When Goldin was four, his family moved to Brodhead, Wisconsin
Brodhead, Wisconsin
Brodhead is a city in Green and Rock Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,180 at the 2000 census. In February 2000, the city annexed a portion of land from the Town of Spring Valley in Rock County.-History:...
.
Goldin married Laura Belle Dunwiddie in 1881. The couple had one son, Herbert D. Goldin, in 1884. Laura died in 1911, and Goldin married Sarah J. Murphy in 1929.
Indian Wars
Goldin enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 8, 1876, lying about his age. (His year of birth is thus often incorrectly listed as 1855.) He was assigned to the 7th U.S. Cavalry. Less than three months later, Goldin's regiment fought in the Battle of Little Bighorn.Goldin also took part in the Battle of Bear Paw
Battle of Bear Paw
The Battle of Bear Paw was the final engagement of the Nez Perce War. Some of the Nez Perce were able to escape to Canada, but Chief Joseph was forced to surrender the majority of his tribe to Oliver O. Howard...
in September and October 1877. He was discharged from the Army on November 13, 1877 for having enlisted under false pretenses, after his parents appealed to the Army for his discharge.
Post-war career
Goldin began studying law in 1881, and was admitted to the bar in 1882. He was elected as clerk of the circuit court of Green CountyGreen County, Wisconsin
Green County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 33,647. Its county seat is Monroe.-Geography:According to the U.S...
in fall of that year. He served as assistant chief clerk of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
from 1882 to 1885. He became a Mason
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
in 1883, eventually rising to the 33-degree in 1902. Goldin moved in Janesville
Janesville, Wisconsin
Janesville is a city in southern Wisconsin, United States. It is the county seat of Rock County and the principal municipality of the Janesville, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 62,998.-History:...
in 1885, where he engaged in private practice. In 1889, Goldin was appointed a colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the Wisconsin National Guard. From 1894 to 1896 he was president of the Janesville Board of Education, and in 1895-1903 was clerk of the circuit court for Rock County
Rock County, Wisconsin
-Unincorporated communities:-Further reading:* . Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879.* Brown, William F. , Chicago: Cooper, 1908.* Brown, William F. , Chicago: Cooper, 1908....
. From 1903 to 1904, Goldin was chief clerk of the Wisconsin Senate.
Around the turn of the century, Goldin served as Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
Republican Party of Wisconsin
The Republican Party of Wisconsin is the Wisconsin affiliate of the United States Republican Party . The state party chair is Brad Courtney...
. In 1904, Goldin sided with the Stalwarts in the Republican Party of Wisconsin: a conservative faction led by Senator John Coit Spooner
John Coit Spooner
John Coit Spooner was a Republican politician and lawyer from Wisconsin. He served in the United States Senate from 1885 to 1891 and from 1897 to 1907.-Biography:...
that was opposed to Governor Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
Robert Marion "Fighting Bob" La Follette, Sr. , was an American Republican politician. He served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, was the Governor of Wisconsin, and was also a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin...
running for a third term. The "Spooner Faction", with Goldin as its chairman, was successful in getting their splinter party recognized over the liberal La Follette faction by the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
for the 1904 elections
United States presidential election, 1904
The United States presidential election of 1904 held on November 8, 1904, resulted in the election to a full term for President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt had succeeded to the presidency upon the assassination of William McKinley. The Republican Party unanimously nominated him for president at...
.
But when "Fighting Bob" La Follette ended up winning re-election that fall, Goldin's political career in Wisconsin was finished.
Goldin soon after moved to Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, where he worked as a director of the YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
in 1907. He wandered around the southwestern United States, landing in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
in 1911, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
in 1912.
He retired to the Masonic Home in Dousman, Wisconsin
Dousman, Wisconsin
Dousman is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,584 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dousman is located at ....
in 1924. In 1929, he moved to the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wisconsin
King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin
-External links:*...
, where he died in 1935.
Controversy and Honor for the Battle of Little Big Horn
Beginning with a letter to the editor published in the Janesville Daily Gazette in 1886, Goldin began to publish his version of the Battle of Little Big Horn, in which he castigated Major Marcus RenoMarcus Reno
Marcus Albert Reno was a career military officer in the American Civil War and in the Black Hills War against the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne...
and praised General George A. Custer. Goldin claimed that Custer gave him a last message to be carried to Reno, shortly before Custer was killed. Goldin also campaigned to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his role in the Battle of Little Big Horn, writing to Captain Frederick Benteen
Frederick Benteen
Frederick William Benteen was a military officer during the American Civil War and then during the Black Hills War against the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne. He is notable for being in command of a battalion of the 7th U. S...
and speaking to Lieutenant Luther Hare
Luther Hare
Luther Rector Hare was an officer in the 7th U.S. Cavalry, best known for participating in the Battle of the Little Big Horn....
in person. In 1896 Joseph Doe, a fellow Wisconsin politician and Mason, and also Assistant Secretary of War
United States Assistant Secretary of War
The United States Assistant Secretary of War was the second-ranking official within the American Department of War from 1861 to 1867, from 1882 to 1883, and from 1890 to 1940...
, found that there sufficient evidence for approval of a Medal of Honor for Goldin.
As the years went by, Goldin embellished his role in the battle more and more. The height of embellishment is found in a chapter in the book Northwestern fights and fighters by Cyrus Townsend Brady
Cyrus Townsend Brady
Cyrus Townsend Brady was a journalist, historian and adventure writer. His most well-known work is "Indian Fights and Fighters". He was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1883. In 1889, he was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal church, and was ordained a...
. In addition to his claims of carrying Custer's last dispatch, Goldin claimed he joined the Seventh Cavalry in 1873, witnessed the death of Lt. Benjamin Hodgson, and was present for a discussion of strategy between Captain Myles Keogh
Myles Keogh
Myles Walter Keogh was an Irishman who fought in Italy during the 1860 Papal War before volunteering for the Union side in the American Civil War . During the war years, he was promoted from the rank of Captain to that of Major, finally being awarded the brevet rank of Lieutenant Colonel...
and General Custer. When others challenged his claims, Goldin claimed that Brady had distorted his letter.
Goldin's embellishments did not stop at his role in the Battle of Little Big Horn. He also added to his own personal biography. In a sketch published in a book about Rock County, he claimed to have been born in 1855, studied at Tilton University for four years and then, at age twenty, enlisted in the Army, where he served for nearly four years. The book also claims he was wounded twice at the Battle of Little Big Horn and was discharged due to disability.
In 1924, a Missouri congressman helped Goldin obtain a pension as a Medal of Honor recipient through a special act of Congress. In 1927, he was able to change his discharge from "not honorable" (due to his lies about his age) to "honorable" with the help of prominent friends.
He was buried in King, Wisconsin
King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin
-External links:*...
.
Medal of Honor citation
His award citation for his actions in the Battle of Little Big Horn reads:One of a party of volunteers who, under a heavy fire from the Indians, went for and brought water to the wounded.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars