Charles Goodnight: Great American Cowboy

Charles Goodnight was an American cattle rancher who was popular in the West, especially in Texas. Also known as Charlie, Texas natives call him the “father of Texas.” His greatness was more than any other cowman in the history of America has achieved.

Goodnight was born on March 5, 1836 in Macoupin County, Illinois. Goodnight migrated to Texas in 1846. He became a cowboy ten years later, joined the local militia, and fought the Comanche raiders. During the Civil War, Goodnight joined the Confederate States Army. His assignment was with the frontier regiment that guard against raiding Indians.

After the War, Goodnight started herding Texas longhorn cattle. He moved his cattle northward, from West Texas up to the railroads. In 1866, he was joined by Oliver Loving. They moved their cattle northward, in an area which was known as the Goodnight-Loving Trail. Their partnership allowed them to reach as far as the Capulin Mountain in New Mexico.

Goodnight invented the first cattle drive wagon, the chuckwagon. At New Mexico, Goodnight and Loving partnered with John Chisum for potential contracts with the US Army in the future. After Loving’s death, Goodnight and Chisum extended the pasture trail to Colorado and Wyoming.