Vincent Paul Goeddeke, 1902-1990

When my grandpa died, they found the following work history amongst his papers. I think it is interesting to follow the life of an autoworker pursuing the American Dream. Also, there was a newsletter article from his work, about him and his young family. Be sure to click on the newsletter article if you'd like to find out what life at 11768 Kilbourne was like back in 1947!

Entered St. Joseph’s School first grade when 6-1/4 years of age. Struggled through seven elementary years, passing every year with a perfect attendance record. Entered St. Joseph’s Commercial College, which covered three years. Because of an 85% or better average, was referred to prospective employer in April. Visited Fisher Body Corp. but did not like prospect of timekeepers job. Accepted employment at Detroit Shipbuilding Co. at foot of Orleans Street in Detroit on April 27, 1918 as secretary/stenographer to Chief Mechanical Engineer, Daniel Hoag. Employed in that capacity for twentytwo months and asked for transfer to Machine Shop to serve four year apprenticeship as Mechanic. Laid off in November of same year because of slack period. End of war foreseen.

At age 18 remained unemployed until August 1921, when enlisted in C.M.T.C. (Civilian Military Training Corps) to sample officers training, which expired in one month. Remained idle, at least unemployed, until April 1922, when employment reared it’s head for one month at A. Wegener Sons bottling company. Quit because of unfair labor practice. Employed at Detroit Stamping Co. as learning die making from July 1922 to March 1, 1923 to hire in at Packard Motor Co., Experimental Department as lathe hand. Remained until July 1923.

On one visit to Westphalia, Michigan and Droste farm with brother Joseph and family, did meet one John Feldpausch, Fowler farmer who offered me the opportunity to learn about farming life by working into the harvest and threshing season. Remained with them into September of 1923. Enjoyed that very much.

Hired in at Briggs Mfg. Co. as stock chaser in Trim sewing department in October 1923. Went camping and fishing at Van Ettan Lake near Oscoda, using my 1922 Ford Touring for transportation. Left Briggs in October 1925. Was offered opportunity and accepted, on probation, to manage Hardware store owned by Frank Scheele, which lasted from November 1925, through January 1926.

Hired in at Michigan Bell Telephone Co. as truck driver, (before teamsters) and continued at Graybar Electric, a subsidiary of Western Electric Co. and supplier of Mich. Bell, and then for Dick Keck, a contractor electrician to whom I delivered electrical material from Graybar until some time in 1927.

Hired in with City of Detroit, Sewer Division as laborer (and How!) and worked until May 1928. Hired in at Ford Motor Co. in May 1928 as Diemaker and continued there until August of 1932.

Met a girl in 1932 by the name of Gertrude Murphy. Remained unemployed from August 1932 to February 1934 when I hired in as diemaker with McCord Radiator Corp. until I entered the holy bonds of Matrimony on July 19, 1934 and spent two weeks of honeymooning in Chicago with friends, and at Portage Lake near Pinckney. Had enforced extension of honeymoon until called back in October 1934.

Sought employment elsewhere and was hired at Carboloy Co. in January of 1935 and remained until 1951 when a strike halted employment there, but found work for duration of strike with Active Tool and Die Co.

Hired in at Godin Tool and Die Co. in April 1952 to work on day shift. Strike in July 1953. While on strike at Godin, found work for the four weeks duration with Garland Mfg. Co., on auto dies. Back to work in July. During slack period in 1955, hired in at Ford Motor Co. as die repairman for a period of three months, and returned to Godin with few interruptions until May 1967 when the years dictated retirement from the rat race.

And we lived happily in retirement thereafter.

Recorded in 1976, the year of the U.S. Bicentennial.