Michigan historical collections. [Vol. 17]

504

REUNION OF THE GOODRICH FAMILY.

congress had granted to the State for railroad purposes, his influence
was always and efficient on the side of the frontier settlers.
The duties of postmaster of Goodrich for twelve years, and of various
other local offices, were discharged by him with fidelity and general
satisfaction. At Traverse City, where he now resides, he enjoyed for
upwards of eight years the honors and emoluments of the responsible
position of receiver of public moneys of the land office, and if current
rumors can be relied on he became a powerful element in Michigan
politics. It is well known that he was the right hand man of Zachariah Chandler and John J. Bagley, and that Senator Ferry secured his
first election largely through his influence, does not admit of a doubt.
His business career at Traverse City has been varied in its successes,
but always characterized with much of the energy and activity of former
years.
In his retirement from the higher spheres of public life he does not
forget his obligation to make himself useful, but lends an active hand
to the busy world around him, in forwarding its local improvements.
He has for years been an active and leading member of the common
council of Traverse City, and as highway commissioner for sixteen consecutive years he has expended a large fund where it could do the most
good, and the rapid improvement of the public highways about Traverse
City bear evidence of the fidelity with which the trust has been disScharged. As he stands in our midst today his personal appearance
bears indisputable evidences of failing health, and should admonish
him to guard with care in the future, the portion of life and health
that remains.
I have now briefly and imperfectly given you a hurried history of
the old guard, the band of brothers, who, fifty years ago, stormed the
battlements of Michigan's wilds. It is not for me, it is not for us,
but for the community with which we have been surrounded for these
fifty years, to decide upon the manner, and to pass their judgment
upon the merits or demerits of the record we have made. Our deeds
and doings have now become a chapter in the history of our State that
cannot be changed.
And now for a moment let me turn to the young, to the rising
generations of the Goodriches with which I am surrounded. Gladly
would I chronicle something of your individual histories, but it is
impossible at this time. You are soon to fill the places that we now
occupy. May you do it with credit to yourselves, and honor to the
family name and when, on future occasions like this, you meet together,