Brother Godward was a member of the blue lodge of Minnesota Masons, the Scottish Rite bodies and Zuhrah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and he was also connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks Club and the Lions Club.There was no resident of Minneapolis who studied more closely public conditions bearing upon the welfare, upbuilding and improvement of the municipality of Minneapolis than Alfred C. Godward, city planning engineer and consultant to the board of park commissioners, and the fact that he had been chosen to fill this responsible office is proof of his professional standing and the high regard entertained for his ability. He was born at Beloit, Ohio, 25 Nov1886, a son of Rev. James and Jean (Binnie) Godward, the former a native of England and the latter of Scotland, both of whom came to the United States in childhood with their parents. The father devoted his life to religious work as a minister of the Presbyterian church and in 1887 his pastoral duties called him to Elbow Lake, Grant county, Minnesota, where he continued to make his home until his demise, which occurred in 1915, his labors proving beneficial factors for good in his community. He is survived by the mother, who is still a resident of that place.

Alfred C. Godward was but a year old when his parents came to Minnesota and his early education was acquired in the grammar schools of Elbow Lake and the high school at Pembina, North Dakota. For two years thereafter he was employed in various ways and in 1904 he matriculated in the University of Minnesota, which he attended for two years, when he became connected with the engineering department of the Minneapolis Board of Park Commissioners. While still in the service of the city he reentered the university, from which he was graduated in 1910, with the degree of Civil Engineer, and in the same year he was appointed chief engineer of the board. For twelve years he continued to act in that capacity and on the 2 Jun 1922, was made city planning engineer and consultant to the board of park commissioners, a position for which his experience and ability well fit him. The planning commission was organized in 1921 for the purpose of studying the social, commercial and economic growth of the city, in order that its future development might be promoted along scientific lines, and Mr. Godward acted as its executive head, while he also had charge of park construction and design. He had the technical skill necessary for the important duties which devolve upon him and his services met with unqualified approval. He fully recognized the possibilities of his position and held to the highest ideals in his work. During the World war he acted as field instructor of the Engineering Corps of the Student Army of the University of Minnesota.

Mr. Godward was married 15 Sep 911, to Miss Florence Huxtable of Minneapolis, and they had four children: Florence Elaine, Alfred Charles, James Gaydon and George Gerald. Mr. He was president of the Minnesota Federation of Architectural and Engineering Societies and a member of the American Institute of Park Executives, the American Association of Engineers and the Minneapolis Engineering Club. Industry and ability brought him to his position of professional prominence and his public spirit prompted him to put forth earnest and effective efforts for the welfare of his city.

Redact: FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical Vol III, pg 364-367 ALFRED CALVIN GODWARD posted by Masonic Historian Glenn D Kiecker of Cataract Masonic Lodge #2. MN.