USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 69
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Mr. Woodruff married, in 1885, Lillie Carpenter, a daughter of Henry L. and Susan (Palmer) Carpenter, natives of New York state. Her father, who came to Michigan many years ago, bought land, and was here employed as a tiller of the soil until his death, in his opera- tions having met with good success. Her mother is still living, making her home in Athens. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff have two children, namely : Madge L., wife of Harry Lewis of Athens, a teacher in the Athens schools; and Lorna A., wife of Leo Harrison, of Mason, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. H. has a daughter, Doris born November, 1911.
DAVID W. CORTRIGHT. It has been claimed by many that the real development of our lands has just begun, that the possibilities of our greatest national asset, the soil, which for all time to come is to be the basis of human welfare, are just being realized. Any thought of the future of the nation suggests the absolute necessity not simply of conserving the soil, but of increasing its power to produce beyond past and present averages, and it is to the progressive, enterprising and highly skilled agriculturists that we must look for the successful undertaking of this great work. Calhoun county, Michigan, has within its borders not only some of the best land to be found in the State, but also agriculturists who have been trained to the highest point of effi- ciency in their chosen vocation, and whose records in the matter of crop production compare favorably with those of the agriculturists in any other section of the country. One of these men is David W. Cort- right, who has an excellently cultivated tract of 240 acres situated in Homer township. Mr. Cortright has the added distinction of being a native born Michigander, having been born in Hillsdale county, Feb- ruary 26, 1865, a son of Cornelius and Cornelia (Webber) Cortright.
The boyhood of David W. Cortright was spent on the home farm, where he devoted his energies to the tilling of the fields during the summer months, in the meantime securing his educational training in the district schools of the vicinity during the winter terms. Subse- quently he attended the Union school and the college at Hillsdale, and after completing his course at the latter institution adopted the profes- sion of educator. However, after teaching school for one term, Mr. Cortright heard the call of the soil and returned to farming, being a renter on his father's farm until 1900, when he purchased 159 acres from his father, this being the nucleus for his present handsome prop- erty of 240 acres, on which he is carrying on general farming. Dur- Vol. II-30
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ing the past fourteen years Mr. Cortright has also devoted a great deal of attention to buying, feeding and shipping stock, and in both of his ventures has met with well-deserved success. Progressive in all things, he has always used the best and most highly improved farming ma- chinery ; his buildings are commodious and substantially built, and his residence is one of the nice country homes of Calhoun county. Politi- cally he is a Democrat, and fraternally he is connected with Humanity Lodge No. 29, A. F. & A. M., and Homer Chapter No. 130, R. A. M. Mrs. Cortright is a member of the Episcopal Church.
In 1889 Mr. Cortright was married to Miss May Phelps, daughter of Edward Phelps, a native of New York, who conducted a foundry and flouring mill in Hillsdale for a number of years. Six children have been born to this union: Wells, who resides at Homer; Cornelia, Howard, Helen and Freddie, who are attending school; and Max, the baby. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cortright are widely known throughout Homer township, where they have many warm personal friends.
DORR B. BURNHAM. At the time of his death, March 11, 1899, Dorr B. Burnham held prestige as one of the prominent and influential citi- zens of Battle Creek, where he had maintained his home for a long term of years. He was from early pioneer days intimately identified with the industrial and productive activities of Michigan, and through his business abilities accumulated a comfortable fortune. He was a man of inflexible integrity and utmost honesty of purpose, and on his life, ended in the fullness of years and well-earned honors, there rests no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. Mr. Burnham was born at Williston, Chittenden county, Vermont, December 14, 1825, and was descended from illustrious ancestry, his mother being a granddaughter of the noted Governor Thomas Chittenden, colonial and state governor, who was born in East Guilford, Connecticut, January 6, 1730. He was one of the pioneers of Vermont, settling upon the New Hampshire grants in 1774, and acquiring a fortune from his lands. In 1778 he became governor of Vermont, before its formal separation from New York was recognized. During the Revolutionary War the British and Continental Congress received overtures from him, his terms being recognition of Vermont's statehood. He retired from public life in 1796 and died in Williston, Vermont, August 24, 1797.
Hiram Burnham, father of Dorr B. Burnham, was born in Burling- ton, Vermont, in 1798, and came to Michigan some time between 1825 and 1830, settling near Saline and acting as a United States govern- ment surveyor in the northern woods and on the boundary between the United States and Canada. His death occurred in 1852. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Minerva Chittenden, was born in Williston, Vermont, in 1801, and died in 1848, having been the mother of two sons and a daughter, Dorr B. being the second in order of birth.
Dorr B. Burnham was about three of age when his parents came to Michigan, and his education was secured in the schools near Saline, where he was himself engaged in teaching school for some time. On his arrival in this section, Battle Creek was only a small settlement be- tween the Kalamazoo river and Battle Creek, but it gradually and steadily grew and progressed, and as young Burnham gained in years, he here learned the trade of millwright. Although possessed of but little capital, the youth was fortunate in having the much more de- sirable possessions of ability, ambition and perseverance, sterling char- acteristics inherited from a long line of successful ancestors and cul- tivated by a busy and useful life. With his brother-in-law, H. J. Cush- man, he built the Bradley mill, located on the present site of the elec-
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tric light plant, at the corner of State and Madison streets, and also engaged in buying wheat for an eastern concern. Coming to Battle Creek prior to the Civil War, he built the third foundry in this vicin- ity for the purpose of manufacturing plows and all kinds of farming machinery, and in 1869 began to make the Boult carver. In 1873 he founded a company to carry on the increased business, C. C. Beach, Frank Beach, J. M. Ward, William Andrus and Mr. Burnham com- posing the board of directors, and with trees, bushes and the river as surroundings, the company started in business. This proved an in- stantaneous success, and soon the American Steam Pump Company, as the enterprise was styled, moved its quarters into a large wooden building on Jefferson street, built by Charles Mason and originally used as a railway warehouse. This structure was used for years, but some time prior to Mr. Burnham's death was torn down to allow the construction of a modern building. He was known as the father of the American Steam Pump Company, but after he had secured the services of Mr. E. C. Hinman he stepped out of the concern as far as active participation in the direction of its affairs was concerned, and from that time on was only identified with it as a stock-holder, al- though his advice was often sought, and freely given, on matters of importance.
Mr. Burnham was an active and stalwart worker in the cause of temperance, and labored continually to make the men in his employ become Prohibitionists, although no employe was ever discharged on account of his drinking habits, it being Mr. Burnham's custom to try to assist his men in every possible way. He took an intense interest also in the cause of education, serving on the school board for a num- ber of years, and lending his aid and influence to all movements tend- ing to aid and develop the public school system, with the late T. B. Skinner and others. He also served acceptably as a member of the city council during the early days, and was constantly being identified with beneficial measures. For a number of years he was a member and treasurer of the Twentieth Century Club. His death occurred at the old family residence, No. 192 West Van Buren street.
On January 30, 1850, Mr. Burnham was married to Miss Harriet McCamly, daughter of the late Sands McCamly, Battle Creek's first prominent citizen, and a sister of Mark McCamly, who was the third white child born in Calhoun county, and now the oldest native white man here. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burnham: a daughter who died in infancy; Hiram G., who resides in Ann Arbor; Mark H., a sketch of whose life will be found in another part of this work ; and George McCamly, who met his death by drowning at Mullett Lake, in northern Michigan, June 9, 1885. All the children were born and educated in Battle Creek.
Mr. Burnham was a good citizen, whose aid to public enterprises and whose bounty in private charity were substantial and appreciable, although in no wise ostentatiously bestowed. Whatever tended to the improvement of the community enlisted his active support, and his public spirit was manifested so generally and so serviceably as to se- cure for him the universal and cordial esteem of his fellow citizens. His death was a sad blow to his community, and he is mourned by a host of friends, who still miss his genial, kindly counsel.
MARK H. BURNHAM. The son of one of Battle Creek's former old- est and most highly honored business men, and himself well known in industrial and commercial circles of the city, Mark H. Burnham comes of distinguished ancestry, being a direct descendant of Governor Thom-
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as Chittenden, first governor of the state of Vermont. His father, the late Dorr. B. Burnham, a complete sketch of whose life will be found on another page of this work, was known as "the father of the Ameri- can Steam Pump Company," one of Battle Creek's largest industries, and for a long period of years was identified with the business, social and educational activities of the city, while his mother, Harriet (Mc- Camly) Burnham, belonged to one of Calhoun county's oldest and best known families. Mark H. Burnham was born in Battle Creek, March 28, 1861, and was one of four children born to his parents, of whom but one beside himself survives, Hiram G. Burnham of Ann Arbor.
Mr. Burnham received his education in the public and high schools of Battle Creek, graduating from the latter in 1881, when he became identified with the American Steam Pump Company, with which he was identified until a few years ago. With his brother he owns an equal share in the stock of this company formerly owned by their father, but the greater part of his attention has been given to real es- tate transactions, and he has erected numerous structures in his native city. He lives in the old family residence, at No. 192 West Van Buren street, which was erected by Dorr B. Burnham at the time of his mar- riage, more than sixty years ago, and to which the son has made numer- ous improvements. In addition to this old land-mark, and the acre of land on which it is situated, Mr. Burnham owns considerable other city property, and his operations in the realty field have tended to stimulate the city's building activities. As a young man, Mr. Burn- ham adopted the political belief of his father, that of the Democratic party, but with the entrance of William J. Bryan into the public arena, he began giving his support to the Republican party's candidates in national matters, although in local affairs he reserves the right to cast his vote according to his own judgment, irrespective of party lines.
Mr. Burnham was married March 1, 1884, to Miss Marion E. Lawler, of Battle Creek township, Calhoun county, daughter of S. H. Lawler. She died April 7, 1909, having been the mother of one daugh- ter, Madge, an interesting child of ten years. Mrs. Burnham's father is also deceased, but her mother survives and makes her home with Mr. Burnham, tenderly caring for her granddaughter, who is attend- ing the public school.
WILLARD CORYDON PHELPS. One of the successful and well-patronized grocery establishments of Battle Creek is that conducted at No. 16 Jeffer- son avenue, South, by Willard Corydon Phelps. This business has been developed through the energy, enterprise and progressive spirit of its proprietor, whose reliable methods have gained the confidence and custom of his patrons and brought about his present prosperity. Mr. Phelps has not confined himself to this line of endeavor, however, as he has been active in developing various parts of the city. He is a native-born citizen of Calhoun county, being a son of Simary and Sarah (Willard) Phelps, and was born in Fredonia township, in the farm home of his parents, February 11, 1869. His two sisters, Mrs. Dr. C. G. Vary and Mrs. Frank Sweet, and one brother, V. S. Phelps, also reside in Battle Creek.
The early education of Mr. Phelps was secured in the Francisco school, in Newton township, following which he attended Marshall high school, and later took a course at Krug's Business College at Battle Creek. When he was fifteen years of age, Mr. Phelps moved with his parents to the village of Ceresco, where he began work in the grocery store of his father, there receiving a thorough training in every branch of the busi- ness. On February 18, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Dora Godfrey, daughter of Oliver and Emily (Newbre) Godfrey, of Emmett
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township, and two daughters have blessed this union. In 1893 Mr. Phelps bought a grocery business at Battle Creek, on Marshall street, and con- tinued to operate it for six years, but later sold this establishment and moved with his family to Marshall. where he was business manager for the Marshall News for two years. Returning to Battle Creek in 1905, he again entered the grocery trade, purchasing a stock of goods at No. 16 Jefferson avenue, South, where he is now located. In 1907, with Mrs. Lucy Anderson, Mr. Phelps opened Franklin Court from Freylinghuysen avenue half way to Calhoun street, and in 1910, it was extended to Har- vard street. During the summer of 1911 he opened the Phelps Addition to Battle Creek, a territory covering twenty-four lots, including Phelps and Terrace avenues across to Bidwell street. He owns these desirable properties, which are located just off the street car line on Lake avenue. and just outside of the mile circle. Mr. Phelps has not been devoted to his business interests to the exclusion of outside affairs, having served as alderman of the Fifth Ward during the years 1898 and 1899, and has taken a public spirited interest in the welfare of his city and county. His contributions to church work and religious enterprises have been liberal, and he is now acting in the capacity of trustee of the Independent Congregational church. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 29, of Battle Creek, in which he has many friends. Mr. Phelps' success in business may be said to have been achieved by his consummate business methods and sound principles. Always conscientious in the extreme, he has conducted his affairs in the most honorable manner, so much so that for years he has found himself surrounded by hosts of friends both business and social, while those with whom he has come into contact in any of the walks of life grant him that respect and esteem that is given only to the individual whose careers have stood for business integrity and good citizenship.
CLARENCE G. VARY, M. D. Standing among the highest in his pro- fession, and enjoying a not less exalted position in the estimation of his friends, the death of the late Dr. Clarence G. Vary, which occurred August 7, 1910, came as a severe shock to all who knew him and was a distinct loss to the medical fraternity of Battle Creek, where he had been engaged in the active and successful practice of his profession for more than ten years. Dr. Vary was a native of Calhoun county, having been born on his father's farm, three miles west of Marshall, February 2, 1874, and was a son of Edmund and Matilda (Godfrey) Vary.
Edmund P. Vary was born in Livingston county, New York, in Cale- donia township, May 26, 1849, but received his education in Marshall township, Calhoun county, Michigan, whence he had been taken by his parents when he was twelve years of age. His father passed away in Marshall, December 16, 1889, having lived retired for six years, and dur- ing his active career had been president of the Perrin Bank of Marshall. The mother passed away May 28, 1894, in Union City, Michigan, where she had moved some time after the death of her husband, and both were buried in Marshall. They had a family of three sons, of whom two are living: Edmund P., and Charles H. of Marshall. A half-sister, Mrs. Carlton Miller, who had been born to her father's first marriage, died September 24, 1890, leaving one son, Craig C., now an attorney of Marshall.
After completing his tducation, Edmund P. Vary continued to work on the home farm until his marriage, at that time embarking in agricul- tural pursuits on his own account. Eight years later, however, he re- turned to the homestead. and six years thereafter came to Battle Creek and spent two years in business. He subsequently went to Ceresco for
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two and one-half years, but left that point to go to Olivet, in order to give his son better educational advantages. Since October 26, 1894, he has resided in Battle Creek, where he made his home with Dr. Vary, although he still owns the old homestead of 200 acres in Marshall town- ship, and a part of which is still located within the limits of Marshall. There he carries on dairy farming, Fraternally, Mr. Vary is connected with Calhoun Tent No. 54, K. O. T. M., and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, which he attends at Marshall.
On October 9, 1872, Mr. Vary was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Godfrey, of Marshall township, daughter of David Godfrey. She was born in New York and came from near Batavia to Marshall with her parents, attending the Marshall township schools, Ypsilanti Normal School and Albion College. They had only one child : Dr. Vary.
Clarence G. Vary resided in his native township until his twelfth year, when, with his father and mother, he removed to Battle Creek, his elementary education being secured in the public schools of this city, following which he took a three-year literary course in Olivet College. In 1894 he entered the medical department of the University of Michi- gan, where he was a student for three years, entering the Jefferson Medi- cal College, Philadelphia, in 1897 to complete his medical studies. He received the degree of M. D. from that institution the following year, and immediately after his graduation acted for one year as interne in St. Timothy's hospital in Philadelphia, where he became known as a care- ful and conscientious physician. Early in 1899 Dr. Vary opened an office in the Tacoma Block, Battle Creek, and during his years of work here enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. A close and industrious student, he possessed ability, aptitude and inclination for his calling, and that sympathetic nature that always marks the successful physician. He was a valued and popular member of the Calhoun County Medical Society and the Michigan State Medical Society, and while a resident of Phila- delphia, belonged to the J. C. Medical Society of that city, one of the foremost organizations of its kind in the east. Dr. Vary has been medical examiner for several local fraternities, including the Independent Order of Foresters, the Fraternal Alliance, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Tribe of Ben Hur, and was court physician for the Companion Order of Foresters and alter- nate examiner for the Massachusetts Life Insurance Company. He was a popular member of the Athelstan Club, belonged to the Elks Lodge and took a great interest in the work of the Masonic order, belonging to the A. T. Metcalf Lodge and having attained to the Knight Templar rank. The Knights Templar had charge of the funeral party which left Battle Creek on a special interurban car for Marshall, where the remains of the deceased were laid to rest. In politics he affiliated with the Repub- lican party, taking a keen and active interest in all that pertained to its success or to the welfare of his city or its people. However, he did not seek public office, although he served for a time in the capacity of health officer.
On June 1, 1899, Dr. Vary was married to Miss Emma Phelps, who was born in Newton township and attended Albion College, daughter of Simary and Sarah Elizabeth (Willard) Phelps. Mr. Phelps was a farmer during his early life, but subsequently turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, being for twenty years the properitor of a store at Ceresco, where he is now living retired from active business pursuits. He served during the Civil War as a. private in a Michigan regiment of volunteer infantry. Mrs. Vary survives her husband and resides at No. 93 Garrison avenue with her parents-in-law, and her only child, Edward, who was born September 2, 1904.
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In closing this all too brief review of one of Battle Creek's most popu- lar young professional men, we are allowed to quote from an article which appeared in the Battle Creek Enquirer for April 8, 1910, and which said in part as follows: "Following an illness extending over a period of seven weeks, Dr. Clarence G. Vary, one of the foremost physicians in the local medical fraternity, and former health officer of Battle Creek, . passed away yesterday afternoon, at his home on Garrison avenue, at 5:45 o'clock. The direct cause of death was Bright's disease, and nat- urally of a strong constitution, Dr. Vary made a remarkable fight against the inroads of the malady, and during the early part of his sickness it appeared as if his recovery was only a matter of time. Unexpected de- velopments set in, however, a few days ago, and since that time he grad- ually failed until death came. Throughout his illness he bore his suffer- ing patiently, and while the end was not altogether unexpected it came as a severe shock to his family and friends. Dr. Vary was well known in this part of the state, and his sterling qualities and honest and straight- forward manner endeared him to a large circle of friends, both in and outside of the medical profession."
GARRETT DECKER. Well may this publication take cognizance of the character and achievements of the honored pioneer and sterling citizen whose name initiates this review and who was actively and prominently identified with business interests in the city of Battle Creek for fully half a century. He was a man of exalted integrity, generous and kindly nature and distinctive ability, so that he left a deep impress upon the civic and business history of the community in which he long lived and labored. In offering a tribute to his memory there is all of consistency, for he did well his part in furthering the social and material develop- ment and upbuilding of the fine metropolis of Calhoun county.
Garrett Decker, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed pioneer citizens of Battle Creek, passed to the life eternal on the 1st of May, 1905, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles F. Atkinson, at Hinsdale, a suburb of the city of Chicago, Illinois. He had there stopped for a visit while on his way home from a sojourn in California, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health, which has been much impaired for some time. Mr. Decker was born in Ulster county, New York, on the 19th of November, 1835, and was thus nearly seventy years of age at the time of his death. He was reared and educated in his native state and as a young man he came to Michigan and established his residence in Battle Creek, where he maintained his home continuously for more than fifty years. Here he was associated with the late Thomas B. Skinner in the retail dry-goods trade for twenty-seven years, and for the ensuing fifteen years he continued in the same line of enterprise in an individual way, as one of the leading merchants and most honored and influential citi- zens of Battle Creek. He retired from active business about ten years before his death. From an appreciative article published in a local paper at the time of the death of this pioneer business man are taken the fol- lowing extracts, which are well worthy of preservation in this more enduring form :
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