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Col. J. Thomas Goode, a distinguished citizen and soldier, died at his home, in Chase City, Va., on April 3, 1916, at the age of eighty-one. His life had been a varied and eventful one. He was born in Boydton, Mecklinburg County, July 21, 1835, the son of the late William O. and Sarah Massie Goode. He received his education at private schools and the Virginia Military Institute and was commissioned as an officer in the United States army in 1854 and served six years, four of which were spent in service against the Indians in Florida and the Western frontier in Kansas and Utah, where he remained until the outbrak of the War between the States.

Though strongly regretting the necessity, when Virginia seceded, he immediately resigned his commission in the United States army and left Salt Lake City to offer his services to the Confederacy. He traveled more than one thousand miles through a barren and uncivilized prairie country alone, excepting his wife and two infants, driving a mule team. After a long and wearisome journey, he reached the Missouri River, then the border of civilization, and thence made the journey to Virginia. He was immediately given a commission in the Confederate service, and in a short time he was made colonel of the 4th Virginia Heavy Artillery, later converted into the 34th Virginia Infantry. He went through the entire four years, serving with honor in many hard-fought battles, particularly in that of the Crater, at Petersburg, where he commanded Wise's Brigade. His command suffered the brunt of the battle during that fearful carnage, holding the field against overwhelming odds until the Crater was recaptured by Mahone's famous charge. He was recommended for brigadier general from the battle of Sailor's Creek, but the war ended before he received his commission. He surrendered with his command at Appomattox. In his death passes the last of the field officers of his brigade.

Since the war his life has been spent on his farm in Mecklinburg County, until his removal to Chase City about a year ago. He had represented his county in the legislature. Colonel Goode was married four times and is survived by his last wife, seven daughters, and two sons.