Swande N. Godell was born April 2, 1899, in Kavia, Finland. He emigrated with his family in 1901 and settled in Watton, Michigan. Shortly after grade school he became employed in logging. He served as a forest ranger in Baraga County for a short time and in 1934 was employed by the U.S. Forest Service. He was later promoted to chief of service in the Ontonagon district. He was then employed by the Chassell Mill which he managed from 1941 to 1957. From 1958 to 1962 he worked for the Wood Development Corporation and the Hutula Company in the Sidnaw district. In 1962 he joined the Horner Flooring Company of Dollar Bay as a lumber buyer. Mr. Godell retired in 1972; however he was active in the community, including the Masonic Lodge No. 218 in Houghton, the Copper Country Shriners Club, the Chassell Lions Club, the Hancock Salvation Army Board and St. Joseph's Hospital Board. He was a charter member and director of the Timber Producers Association as well as the Northern Hemlock and Pine Association and was a member of the Northern Lumber Industry Advisory Council. Godell also served on the Houghton County Selective Service Board, served as chairman of the Republican Party of Houghton County for two years, served on the Chassell Strawberry Festival Organizational Committee, and was a member of the Chassell school board. Mr. Godell passed away in 1979.