Ezra Goodrich, with his father Joseph Goodrich, founded Milton College and Milton, Wisconsin. In the fall of 1849, Ezra began a general mercantile business in Milton, with William H. Goodrich and John S. Carr. The partners stocked dry goods, clothing, groceries, crockery, and hardware. Carr died in 1850 and the following, William H. Goodrich died. Ezra Goodrich continued the business, first with George R. Maxson until 1856, then with Jeremiah Davis until 1858. From 1848 until 1861, Goodrich operated the firm alone.
Complete biographical sketches for Ezra Goodrich, his family and his parents are included in the Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin... (Chicago, Acme Publishing Company, 1889).
