Garret Goorhouse married Hazel Moorman in 1912. He worked on the New York Central Railroad as a section hand for Roy Cook, his brother-in-law. Soon after they were married, they moved in with her father, Henry Burton Moorman, whose farm was located on Kenowa Road and 64^th Street in Byron Township.

Garret worked the farm there for about 2 years. Then they moved ½ mile south to the William Moorman house where they rented and worked the farm for 5 years.

After several more moves, they decided to buy the farm which Henry Burton Moorman used to have. Garret had been called back to the railroad after being off for some time.

Hard times came to Garret and Hazel in the 1920’s. They lost their house for not being able to make the payments. They moved to a house owned by the railroad on Wentworth off Byron Center Avenue. Garret had to work in Kalamazoo for the railroad at that time, so he came home only on weekends.

After a number of years, they bought a house in Corinth on old 131. Garret was transferred to Allegan for the railroad. They put this house up for rent and moved to Allegan. Three or four years later he came back to work in Grand Rapids and to live in the house in Corinth. It was here during the depression that their second home was lost. Garret was out of work at the time and would not accept any money from his relatives because he did not know when he would be able to pay them back. The Salvation Army helped Garret and Hazel a lot during the depression. Not only did they supply furniture, bedding, and food, they also brought presents for the children at Christmastime.

When Garret was called back to the railroad, he rented a house from the railroad located at 5001 South Division Avenue. It included a 20 acre farm. So Garret farmed and worked on the railroad. He raised pigs, cows, and chickens. He butchered his own meat and raised his own vegetables.

In 1948 they moved with their children to a house with 2 acres ½ mile west of Moline. Garret was stricken with a heart attack on the railroad and died in 1954.

In December, 1976, Hazel was taken sick at her home in Moline. The doctor told the family that the symptoms of severe pain in the lower left side and vomiting was a case of the 24 hour flu. Flu was going around and it had to run its course. After sleeping only 45 minutes all night, Hazel could not catch her breath. Hazel’s heart failed and she died. She was laid to rest by the side of Garret where they are together again after 22 years.

He was 62 when he died. His wife, Hazel, was 82 (1894-1976). They are buried in Boynton Cemetery