Hattie Truitt and Frank Goddard, both members of local pioneering families, grew up together, and were classmates at Mill Creek School. Their wedding was described in detail in the December 27, 1883, edition of the Russian River Flag newspaper, including all of their wedding guests and wedding presents. The union took place at the residence of the bride’s parents, John R. Truitt and Sarah Hopper Truitt, who also served a supper “spread with unbounded hospitality and unsparing abundance and luxury…”  

Hattie Lee (Truitt) Goddard was born in the Skaggs Springs area. Her mother’s parents, David and Dicie Hopper, came to California from Tennessee in 1853. Her father’s family, the Truitts, came by wagon from Missouri to the northern California goldfields in 1849. After traveling back to Texas and New Orleans, and then through Panama, the Truitt family settled on a ranch on West Side Road. When Hattie was six years old her parents moved to 3280 Westside Road, near Healdsburg, where they built a home.

In 1883, when Hattie Truitt married Frank Goddard, who had been born on his family’s West Side ranch, the couple established themselves at 3266 Westside Road, on a ranch across the road from Hattie’s parents. They had three children: Elmer, Hattie, and Lillian. Frank Goddard died in 1940 at the age of 82, and his wife continued to live in their Westside home until her death in 1960 at the age of 94. Hattie and Frank Goddard are buried in Oak Mound Cemetery in Healdsburg. 

References consulted: 

“Married-Truitt-Goddard.” Russian River Flag, 27 Dec. 1883. 

“Frank Goddard’s Anniversary Fete on Monday, 23^rd.” Sotoyome Scimitar, 19 Dec. 1935. 

“Death Takes Frank Goddard; Rites Tuesday.” Healdsburg Tribune, 4 April 1940. 

“Mrs. Goddard, of Pioneer Family, Succumbs at 94.” Healdsburg Tribune, 9 June 1960.