Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

(What is this?) | Download the original typescript

GOODLOE, DR. ROBERT KEMP -- Born in White Chimney, Carolina County, Virginia, June 8, 1813. He was a medical student in Cincinnati when he enlisted in Captain Sidney Sherman's Company in Newport, Kentucky, December 18, 1835. The company arrived in Texas in January, 1836. Dr. Goodloe was transferred to Captain Henry W. Karnes' Company of Cavalry on March 20 and was discharged August 2, 1836. He participated in the engagement on April 20th as well as on the 21st. On June 27, 1845 he was issued an unnumbered Donation Certificate for 640 acres of land for his services at San Jacinto. Captain William Wood, who succeeded Captain Sherman in command of the Kentucky Company "In Camp" on August 2, 1836, issued the following certificate: "This is to certify that Robert K. Goodloe belonged and came into Texas with the Newport Kentucky Rifle comp--designated as Company A First Redgment Texas Volunteers Wm Wood Capt. having served in said compy from 18 Decem. 1835 until the 20 March 1836 at which time he was transferred to the cavalry by the request of General Sam Houston Commander in Chief."

Captain James R. Cook from the "Head Quarters Texas Cavalry, Garces Ranche on San Antonio River," on August 2nd, 1836 certified as follows: "This is to certify that R.K. Goodlow joined the Fist Company of Texas Cavalry as orderly sergeant under the command of Capt. Karnes on the 20th March 1836 and continued to act in that capacity for one month and has continued in said company up to the present time and has discharged his duty faithfully and with honor to himself and is this day honorably discharged," Felix Houston, Brevt Brigadier Colonel of Cavalry at "Head Quarters Collete", August 2nd 1836, issued the following certificate which as approved by Thomas J. Rusk, Brigadier General Commanding: "R.K. Goodlow, having produced to me the foregoing and annexed receipts, one from Capt. Wm Wood--the other from Capt. Jas R. Cook, dated with Aug 2nd 1836--the said Goodlow is hereby honorably discharged, and all persons in authority are required to let him return to his home or wherever he may desire--Mr. Goodlow I am informed was in the Battle of San Jacinto in Captain Carns Company which distinguished itself." He was appointed First Lieutenant in Captain John Clarke's Company of mounted gun men, for duty in San Augustine County, May 31, 1837, by President Houston.

Dr. Goodloe was married to Neriza Ann Roberts at San Augustine by Rev. James P. Stevenson, Methodist minister, January 11, 1838.

After the death of his wife, Dr. Goodloe was married to Henrietta Martin, who was born Sept. 22, 1818 and died Feb. 12, 1899. She is buried in the cemetery in Hemphill. Dr. Goodloe died Oct. 20, 1879, while a member of the Texas Veterans Association. He is buried in a marked grave in the old cemetery in Sabinetown.

Among the veterans papers in the Archives of the University of Texas is a statement by Dr. Goodloe regarding his military service. He stated that he had a horse shot from under him on April 20th and that during the entire period of his enlistment he lost seven horses.

Children of Dr. Goodloe, all by his first wife, were: (1) Robert William Goodloe, b. Dec. 12, 1839, d. single Mar. 16, 1854; (2) Fannie Goodloe, b. Mar. 30, 1844, m. Simon Weinberg, ISSUE: Pearl married Jake Leven, lived in Alexander, LA., and May Weinberg; (3) Dr. Narra Wilford Goodloe, b. Jan. 16, 1849 m. July 20, 1879, Drucilla Bessie Sanders, b. July 3, 1859. ISSUE: Charles Kemp Goodloe, b. Aug. 24, 1880, d. Nov. 28, 1881, Cotana Maud Goodloe, b. Sept. 1, 1885 m. Robert William Goodloe, her cousin, who died in 1912; (4) Garrett Benjamin Goodloe, b. Oct. 25, 1853, m. Mattie Cole; son Robert William married his cousin Cotana Goodloe; (5) Pattie Emma Goodloe, m. Judge H.C. Mound, ISSUE: Gordie, Robert, and Vernon, all lived in Hemphill; (6)Harry Sherman Goodloe m. Mamie Cherry, ISSUE: One child Carrila Goodloe; (7) Joella Coleman Goodloe, m. Dr. Sidney Cook, after his death, m. Henry Jenius of New Orleans, ISSUE: Gertrude, Harry and Vivian Clyde; (8) Mollie Bell Goodloe, m. Benjamin Franklin Plukett of Keene, Texas, ISSUE: Ervin Kemp, Keene, Susie married and lived in Dallas, and Walter Robert Plunkett, who lived in Overton, Texas.



Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Orderly Sergeant
  • Company: Capt. Henry Wax Karnes

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1813 Jun 8
  • Birthplace: Virginia, Carolina County, White Chimney
  • Origin: Ohio
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Jan
  • Date of Death: 1879 Oct 20
  • Comments: U.S.-Mexican War.
  • Profession: Doctor
  • Wife: 1. Neriza Ann Roberts; 2. Henrietta Martin
  • Children: Robert William Goodloe; Fannie Goodloe Weinberg; Narra Wilford Goodloe; Garret Benjamin Goodloe; Pattie Emma Goodloe Mound; Harry Sherman Goodloe; Joella Coleman Goodloe Cook Jenius; Mollie Bell Goodloe Plunkett