History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 154 - 155

JOHN GOLDSMITH

Amidst the population of the United States no one need be surprised at the people whom they encounter. The man who sells you bananas on the street corner may have been a princeling in his native Italy; your barber, with his kindly smile, polished manner and affable ways, may have been a member of the nobility in the land of his nativity; a genuine British lord has been known to serve as a common cow Puncher in the southwest, and there are instances where ex-members of the English Parliament have been reduced to the necessity of performing very menial labor in America in order to eke out an existence. One can never judge accurately of a man's past by his environment in America, for this is a country where all ranks are leveled and titles count for nothing, except among marriageable young women whose papas have more money than brains with which to endow them. The subject of this review, John Goldsmith, of Colfax township, is neither a princeling, a member of the nobility, a lord or an ex-member of parliament. His services to the world have, doubtless, been far more valuable than if he were the possessor of either of those distinctions. It seems strange, however, to encounter in an inland county in Michigan a man whose early career was as varied, as exciting and as replete with adventure as that of John Goldsmith. He followed the life of a sailor upon the ocean for twenty years, visited nearly every important port on the face of the earth, twice circumnavigated the globe, and now, in his sixty-seventh year, we find him quietly and comfortably settled upon a farm in Wexford county, enjoying the blessings of domestic tranquility in the midst of a noble family. John Goldsmith is a native of Germany, born in the duchy of Holstein, September 18, 1836. His father was a native of Ireland and his mother of Germany. The first twelve years of his life were spent beneath the paternal roof, during which time such education as he received was acquired. At the early age of twelve he became a sailor upon the high seas, following that calling for many years. Being in Brooklyn, New York, at the time of the breaking out of the Civil war in America, he enlisted in the United States navy and served about three years on the frigate "Sabine," when he received an honorable discharge on account of disability. While on a visit to his native land early in 1861, John Goldsmith was united in marriage to Miss Maria Nagle, a native of Hanover, Germany, born February 17, 1844. His services in the United States navy necessitated a separation of several years from the worthy woman whom he had married, but upon his discharge he came to Wexford county, located upon the tract of land which he at present owns and occupies, and as soon thereafter as circumstances would permit was joined there by his wife. In addition to his experience upon the ocean and in the United States navy, he followed sailing upon the great lakes for three years. Having no certificate of the marriage which had taken place in Germany, April 17, 1868, he and his wife went to Manistee, Michigan, and were married under the laws of the United States. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith nine children have been born, viz: Anna M., Harry J., George WV., who is married, Phynetta M., Orlando H., Katharine J., Louise G. and Mary H. One son died in infancy; Anna is the wife of George Jenkins and has one child, Maria, and Phynetta is the wife of Edgar Ostrander and they have four children, Elijah, Johnnie, Louise and Merritt. On becoming a resident of Wexford county Mr. Goldsmith located upon a homestead of eighty acres, a part of section 20, Colfax township, which he has cleared, improved and cultivated from that time to the present. He has sixty acres of his land under cultivation and the farm is well stocked, equipped and supplied with all necessary farm buildings, including a handsome residence. He is a thorough, practical farmer and a most capable business man, who has managed his affairs so successfully that he is in possession of a comfortable competency. From the time of his advent in Wexford county John Goldsmith has actively interested himself in all public affairs, particularly those pertaining to the township in which he resides. He has been highly honored by the suffrage of his fellow citizens, having been elected to a number of local positions among them township treasurer, supervisor, justice of the peace, constable and member of the school board. He has well and faithfully discharged the duties of the office of justice of the peace for twenty-five years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, O. P. Morton Post No. 54, at Manton, the Colfax Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, Lodge No. 357, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Manton. He is one of the very oldest residents of Colfax township, a man who has led a busy and most useful life and who now, in the evening of his career, is in a position to enjoy the rewards which have come to him as the natural recompense of a noble, well-spent life.