This continues a series adapted from the book, “A Port Oneida Collection,” Volume 1 of the twopart set, “Oral History, Photographs, and Maps from the Sleeping Bear Region,” produced by Tom Van Zoeren in partnership with Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. Here we take a look at the Goffar Farm, along M-22 on Lake Narada. Note that Much of the information for this chapter was compiled and kindly provided by John W. Goff. More is available in the Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear Online Archive.
Alexander Goffar came to America from Belgium with his parents in 1856, when he was 17. Settling in Chicago, he took up shoemaking. Five years later the young man married Catherine O’Brien, an immigrant from County Cork, Ireland. The following year Catherine bore a baby, whom they named Frank. That same year, the young family moved north to the Sleeping Bear Dunes region.
Settling first between Little Glen Lake and the dunes, Alexander and Catherine took up farming; but six years later they abandoned that sandy soil and purchased what we now know as the Goffar Farm, on Lake Narada, where they erected a log cabin and commenced building a farm operation. Four years later a daughter named Jeanette (Jennie) was born, followed a few years later by a sister they named Mary Louisa.
There is an entry for Mr. Goffar in the thoroughly titled The Traverse Region, Historical and Descriptive, with Illustrations of Scenery and Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, published in 1884: “Has thirty-five acres cleared. Has a good frame barn, and is preparing to build a house. Since moving on his farm has worked seven years at shoemaking, which has kept back his farming. Married in 1861 to Catherine O’Brien, a native of Ireland. They have one son and two daughters. Mr. Goffar has been postmaster at North Unity since 1870. Has been supervisor two years, township clerk ten years, and superintendent of schools three years.”
The Goffars’ daughter Jennie eventually married neighbor Pete Burfiend, whose parents had pioneered Port Oneida 34 years earlier. The couple purchased a farm between their two home farms and built up the farm that is now known by their names, producing many Port Oneida descendants.
The Goffars’ daughter Mary Louisa married a brother of her sister’s husband; however she died in childbirth, and her husband died two years later, orphaning their son Herbert, who was then taken in by Pete & Jennie.
In 1893, 25 years after coming to Lake Narada, Catherine became ill and the couple sold their farm and moved to Traverse City, where Catherine died the following year. Alexander eventually moved to the west coast. Many years later, when his grandson Herbert was required to register for the draft for World War I, Alexander wrote to him: “My dear boy . . . You see it is only by massing large forces of men in the field that we can expect to crush the cruel foe. Now dear boy be of good courage and let your every act be a token of the valor of an American soldier, be proud of your country and above all put your trust in God and your confidence in the Lord Jesus.”
To be continued…
