Born in 1842, in Indiana. Mr. Goodykoontz was a lawyer and came to Mason City to begin the practice law in 1869. He was associated with Judge Wilbur and also was a member at one time of the firm of Goodykoontz, Blythe and Markley. He had a good law practice and became widely recognized as a lawyer. In 1879, he was elected state senator from this district but resigned after one session and was succeeded by the late Hon. H. G. Parker. He moved to South Dakota in 1882, where he attained prominence in political and legal circles. For many years a strong republican, he went with the populists and was a prominent candidate for U. S. Senator. It is said that he would have been elected had not the republicans voted with the democrats for Senator Kyle. Mr. Goodykoontz died November 23, 1898, at Mitchell, South Dakota.