[1] In 1835, Godman was elected to represent Marion and Crawford Counties in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 34th General Assembly,[2] and won again in 1839 for the 38th General Assembly.

[3] In 1840 and 1841, he won election to the Ohio Senate for the 39th and 40th General Assemblies.

[4] Godman enlisted April 26, 1861 as a Major in the Union Army during the American Civil War in the 4th Ohio Infantry, promoted to lieutenant colonel January 9, 1862, and to colonel November 29, 1862.

[5] He was elected as a Republican for State Auditor in 1863, and re-elected in 1867, serving eight years.

His family legacy also lives on withnthe establishment of Columbus, Ohio's Godman Guild, a settlement house.