On August 15, 1894, Mr. Goode married Florida, daughter of Mr. Needham Jelks, whose wife’s maiden name was Miss Mollie, daughter of Judge C. M. Bozeman.
Mr. and Mrs. Eli W. Goode lost two children in infancy, one between four and five years of age. There are now five sons and one daughter: Eli W., Jr., Needham, and Nathaniel Jelks Goode are successors to their father’s drug business in Hawkinsville, Needham being one of the city commissioners; Edward Augustus was graduated from the University of Tennessee with honor, and entered upon a business career in that city one week after his graduation. The youngest son, Will Law, is preparing to enter Emory, having graduated with distinction from the local high school, and having there won. the citizenship medal and also the loving cup offered for the first time by the Masonic Lodge for the pupil who throughout the year had lived most in accord with Masonic principles. Mr. and Mrs. Goode’s only daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was married in 1927 to Thomas Richards Powell, of Philadelphia.
Of Mr. Goode’s children, Mrs. Powell has four children: Polly, T. R., Jr., David, and Warren Carter. Eli W., Jr., married Christine Brinkley, of Warrenton. They have one child, Eli Warren Goode. Needham Jelks Goode’s wife was Velma Mashburn. They have one child, Need, Jr. Nathaniel J. was married to Ruth Boling. They have one son, Nathaniel J., Jr.
Mr. Goode took a great interest in Masonry. The following are the milestones of his Masonic career, but they cannot portray the strength that he at all times was to the fraternity, nor how much to him is due the growth of the order. He took his first degree, the Entered Apprentice degree, January 9, 1891; the second degree, Fellowcraft, February 13, 1891; and on February 29, 1891, he became a Master Mason, member of Mount Hope Lodge, No. 9.
He was elected Junior Warden, December 14, 1894; appointed Senior Deacon, December 24, 1906; and served until 1910; elected Worshipful Master in December 1910.
He assisted in laying the corner stone of the City Hall and Auditorium, and the Confederate Monument, September 5, 1907, acting as Senior Deacon; was elected Senior Deacon of the first Pulaski County Masonic Convention, September 11, 1907.
He was elected High Priest of Pulaski Chapter, No. 20, Royal Arch Masons, for 1923-24.
He was one of the charter members and the first Eminent Commander of Rodes Commandery, No. 34, Knights Templar, April 20, 1922.
He received both Past Master’s jewel and Past Commander’s jewel as a gift from his brethren and fraters at the close of his terms, both as Master of the Blue Lodge and Commander of the Commandery. Mr. Goode was also prominent and useful in civic affairs. He served as alderman of the City of Hawkinsville in 1919, 1920, and 1921, and until his resignation on July 11, 1922. During 1924, 1925, and 1926, he was chairman of the City Commission, and had a most creditable administration.
Mr. Goode had deep religious convictions. He was a member of the Baptist Church. He was about medium size, had black hair and blue eyes, and was usually animated in speech. He was a great lover of good literature, and particularly of pure English, and if the occasion required it, was himself capable of making an attractive address. He loved his friends and they loved him, and their name was legion.
`Taller he seems in death.’
And the speech holds true, for now, as then,
‘Tis after death that we measure Men.”
