One of twelve children, James Goulette was born September 9, 1906 in Iron Mountain, Michigan. He entered the natural ice business with his brothers in 1926, and started a mink farm in 1936. He was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1938, serving intermittently for 18 years. He chaired the House Ways and Means Committee, and after leaving the House in 1957, Mr. Goulette served as the legislative representative for the Michigan Mining Association. He was chosen as Upper Peninsula Person of the Year for 1979, and served as committee head for the Cornish Pump Museum.
From the description of James J. Goulette papers 1936-1993. (Olson Library, Northern Michigan University). WorldCat record id: 742374870