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Biographies
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This page contains biographical sketches (full or extract) of former Kalkaska County residents.
The majority come from pre-1923 published sources as cited in italics with the sketch.


Eli Gillett ** Elijah Goodwin


Eli Gillett

"The Traverse Region, Historical and Descriptive, with Illustrations of Scenery and Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers"
Chicago: H.R. Page & Co., 1884
Page 315

ELI GILLETT, farmer and postmaster, Clearwater, was born in England, Nov. 22, 1833. His youth was spent in his native country. On March 28, 1855, he started for New York, arriving on May 11. He went from there to Lisbon, Wis. He remained there seven years, and then returned and spent two years more in England. On June 2, 1864, he was married to Miss Mary Bolton, also of England. Their living children are Jemima, George W., Charles P. and John Elmer. In the summer of 1865 Mr. Gillett returned to Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1868 they removed to what is now Clearwater, Kalkaska County, Mich. They located land in Section 22, and opened a pioneer dwelling in the majestic forest. They covered their dwelling first with hemlock boughs. No lumber could then be obtained. Later they covered it with bark, and after some three years obtained and put on a more perfect and permanent roofing. At various times he has traveled over forty miles in a day in getting their supplies, carrying them on his back over twenty miles to his home. He has 120 acres of land, with about twenty-eight acres under cultivation. He has an orchard of various fruits, and inviting home comforts. He has been school officer nearly nine years, and postmaster of Clearwater postoffice since 1877. In the spring of 1884 they opened a small store of general merchandise, and are receiving a liberal patronage. They are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Contributed 2009 by Pat McArthur

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Elijah Goodwin

"The Traverse Region, Historical and Descriptive, with Illustrations of Scenery and Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers"
Chicago: H.R. Page & Co., 1884
Page 319

ELIJAH GOODWIN, farmer, Cold Springs, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., on Oct. 8, 1842. He came with his parents to Oakland County, Mich., in October, 1845, and remained there until 1873. On Aug. 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fifth Michigan Infantry, served his country about three years in that capacity, and then re-enlisted as a veteran and served until honorably discharged in July, 1865. After the close of the war he returned home, and on Feb. 27, 1866, he was martied to Miss Elizabeth A. Urch, of Independence, Oakland County, Mich. She was born there Feb. 8, 1844. Their living children are Etta L., William A., Alice and Elwin Clarence. After marriage they resided seven years in Milford, and then removed to Cold Springs, Kalkaska County, and located 160 acres of land on Section 6. Mr. Goodwin has nearly fifty acres of his estate under cultivation, and has a thriving fruit bearing orchard, a pleasant dwelling, commodious barn and other farm buildings. His residence is beautifully situated in full view of the rising village of Westwood, on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railway. He has served two years as highway commissioner, eight years as justice of the peace, two years as clerk and three years as supervisor of Cold Springs. He is now, in 1884, noble grand in the I. 0. 0. F.

Contributed 2009 by Pat McArthur

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