"Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present." Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1909. p. 241. ELI GOODSPEED Among the retired easterners who have stamped their worth and individuality upon various lines of activity in Oregon may be mentioned Eli Goodspeed, who lives on valuable property near Tillamook, and who is loaning the snug little fortune acquired by years of well-applied industry. Born in Genesee county, N. Y., December 30, 1827, Mr. Goodspeed had few educational or other opportunities in his youth, and whatever he has achieved of success has been of his own making. The ten children in the family were reared on a comparatively small farm, but as only two sons and five daughters grew to maturity, the sons were obliged to shoulder responsibility at a very early age. The father, Jeremiah Goodspeed, was born in Vermont, and after living for a time at Warsaw, N. Y., removed to Hancock county, Ohio, near Fort Finley, where he died in 1837. His father, Hosea Goodspeed, lived to a ripe old age. Eli Goodspeed's mother, Sybil (Shumway) Goodspeed, was born and reared in Massachusetts, and her marriage occurred in Genesee county, N. Y., whither she had removed in order to make her home with friends. Eli Goodspeed was ten years old when his father died, and even at that early age he assumed a considerable share of the management of the farm, in time giving his energy to the support of the entire family. In 1856 he located with the family on a farm in Guthrie county, Iowa, and in 1863 crossed the plains with ox teams, being four months on the way, and living the first year in eastern Oregon. Washington county became his home in 1864, and in the vicinity of Forest Grove he engaged in general farming on rented land. In 1871 he located near Salem, Marion county, and in 1876 came to Tillamook, purchasing one hundred and sixty-four acres of land, upon a portion of which the town has since reared its homes and industries. A few years ago he traded with his son for his present home, where he is living retired. In no capacity has Mr. Goodspeed better illustrated the fine and honorable traits of his character than as a politician and supporter of the Republican party in his adopted state. At the lime of the county seat controversy he was serving as clerk of Tillamook county, and therefore took an important part in securing its location at Tillamook. In fact, it was largely through his efforts that the change was brought about, but in this respect he showed no more than his usual public spirit. He has also served as road supervisor, and many years ago in Iowa was an important factor on the school board. He has taken a foremost part in promoting various enterprises of an upbuilding nature, and his judgment has come to be valued for its conservatism and regard for practical common sense. He is the father of three children: Columbus, living in Baker county, eastern Oregon; Emma, widow of Aaron Weller, a resident of Baker City, and Henry F., of Tillamook, mentioned at length in another part of this work. Of late years Mr. Goodspeed has been troubled with failing eyesight, yet even in the face of this serious drawback, he maintains a cheerful and contented spirit, living in the meantime in the world of memory, which in his case fails not. but rather is a ceaseless reminder of work well done, and of ambitions at least partially realized. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2012 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.