Byron B. Godfrey, M. D.

Byron B. Godfrey, M. D., a prominent physician and successful surgeon of Hudsonville, is one of the public-spirited and progressive citizens to whose influence the present prosperity of the village is largely due. The family of which he is an honored representative originated in Wales, whence in an early day some of its members removed to America and became identified with the growth of this country. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Thomas Godfrey, was a trader between the East Indies and New York for many years, and later became a contractor on the Erie Canal.

The father of our subject, Almon Thomas Godfrey, was a native of Van Rennsselaer County, NY, born August 5, 1806. He married Miss Lovina Beardsley, a native of Hannibal, Oswego County, NY, born September 10, 1812, and the daughter of James Beardsley. After their marriage, which was solemnized in New York, the parents of our subject resided in that State for a number of years and thence removed to Wisconsin in 1853, settled in Port Washington. In 1868 they came to Michigan and located in Tallmadge Township, Ottawa County, where they resided eight years. Subsequently they made their home with our subject until their demise, the father passing away on the 7th of April, 1884, and the mother, January 10, 1892.

In the parental family there were eight children, four of whom are now living, as follows: Mrs. C. E. Smead, of Grand Rapids; Morrill, a resident of Lansing, Iowa; Mrs. L. G. Allen, of Chicago and our subject. The parents were honorable, upright and religious, the father being identified with the Christian Church, and the mother a member of the Baptist Church. Politically he was a Whig, and after the organization of the Republican party supported its principles. The youngest of the surviving children is the subject of this notice, who was born in Hannibal, Oswego County, NY, March 1, 1848. His primary education was received in the common schools of Port Washington, Wisconsin and later he conducted his studies at Fond du Lac.

After completing his studies, our subject taught school for eight years, beginning at a salary of $30 per month and ‘boarding around’. His last term was as Principal of the Grandville public schools. He began his professional studies at Detroit Medical College, and afterwards entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the Class of ’78.

He open an office for the practice of his profession at Lamont, Ottawa County, where he remained for one year. In 1880 he located in Hudsonville, where he has resided ever since. At the time of locating here, there were four other physicians residing here. In addition to his duties as a general practitioner, he does a large amount of surgical work, in fact more than any other surgeon in the county outside of the large cities. His practice is by no means limited to the village, but includes a circuit of eight miles, and his reputation as a skillful and successful physician is as widely known as his name.

In 1870 the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Mary Calista, daughter of L. T. and Maria B. (Scott) Bursley. Her father was born in Hannibal, Oswego County, NY, on the 13th of March, 1821, and was one of the very first settlers of this township, having aided in the erection of the first house built in Lamont. His wife, who was born in Ellisburg, NY, August 17, 1817, died on the 19th of March, 1872. They were the parents of six children, of whom our subject’s wife was the eldest. She was born on the 7th of June, 1851, in Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, Michigan and received her education in the Grandville schools. Their union has resulted in the birth of four children, two of whom are now living, namely: Pearl Cleo and Almon T. The former, who was born in Tallmadge Township, February 16, 1872, was graduated from Hope College, in Holland, Michigan in the Class of ’90. She became the wife of the Rev. Isaac VanKampen on the 28th of June, 1893, and now resides in Saddle River, NJ, where he is a pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church, American. The parents of Mr. VanKampen were among the early Dutch settlers of Holland, this State. He is a young man of fine education, having graduated in Sweensburg’s Business College, at Grand Rapids; Hope College, at Holland; and Rutger’s Seminary, in New Jersey. Our subject’s only son, Almon Tanner, was born in Tallmadge Township, Ottawa County, and was graduated from the Hudsonville school in 1893. He is now a student at Hope College.

In his social connections the Doctor is identified with the Masonic Order at Coopersville; Lodge No. 346, I.O.O.F. at Hudsonville; and the Order of the Maccabees, of which he is Examining Physician. He has been actively identified with the Good Templars for a number of years. His wife also takes an active part in the temperance work.

In politics a stanch Republican-Prohibitionist, he has been for years one of the most influential members of his party in this section of the state. In 1890 he was the candidate for Congress from the Fifth Michigan District, and received a large number of votes, although defeated with the remainder of the ticket. He was a delegate to the Prohibition National Convention at Indianapolis, Indiana in 1890, and has also represented his party in other important positions. He has served as Justice of the Peace and in other local offices.

In all matters pertaining to his profession, the Doctor is interested and well informed. He is a member of the State Medical Society, and in 1891 he read a paper before that organization upon the subject of "LaGrippe". His contributions to medical journals prove the possession of broad information and wise judgment, and show that he keeps abreast with every advancement made in the profession. He has furnished articles on important topics to the Physician and Surgeon, at Ann Arbor, and the Medical Review. He is not only prominent in the State Medical Society, but also takes an active part in the National Medical Society, and is now serving his third term as President of the Grand River Valley Medical Society. Throughout the years of his professional labors, his interest in agriculture has been continuous and he has superintended the management of his large farm. He served as President of the South Ottawa Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and is influential in farming circles. He is also prominent in educational affairs, and is the President of the School Board at Hudsonville. He aided in the organization of the South Ottawa Teachers’ Association, and has been an honorary member of the society since it formation.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company

Transcriber: Evelyn Sawyer
Created: 14 August 2003
URL: http://ottawa.migenweb.net/biographies/1893/godfreyb.html