Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of Mason County, Michigan H. R. Page & Co., Chicago; 1882 -62- JOHN S. WOODRUFF is one of the busiest men of Ludington, and a man of sterling worth. Mr. WOODRUFF was born in St. Clair County, Mich., in 1841. While yet a young man he entered the employ of the late Capt. E. B. WARD, and for some time attended to the silver mining interests of that gentleman. In 1871 he came to Ludington to superintend the lumbering interests of Capt. WARD at this place. After the death of that gentleman Mr. WOOD- RUFF took charge of the business as agent for the estate, and subsequently as agent for Mrs. CATHARINE L. WARD. The first mill was -------------------------------------------------------------------- -63- built the year Mr. WOODRUFF came here, and from that time the business increased with wonderful rapidity, and its prosperity increased with its magnitude. Another mill was built in 1872. A large store was opened, and all those vast interests were care- fully guarded and successfully managed by Mr. WOODRUFF for about seven years, when Mr. LYON obtained an interest in the business and took its management. He was, however, too good a judge of men to part with Mr. WOODRUFF, who still remains with the busi- ness and has charge of the mills, vessels and stores. Mr. WOOD- RUFF was secretary and treasurer of the Boom Company from 1872 to the present year. He is a man of large business capacity and great energy, but from the multitude of business cares finds time to render efficient service to all worthy enterprises in which the community is interested. ===========================================================================