My Genealogy Hound

RODMAN M. WORDEN, a well-known citizen of Benton Harbor, owns and occupies an attractive residence at No. 128 Brunson Avenue. For a period covering about thirty-five years he was actively identified with the business interests of this place, and his retirement, which was of recent date, will probably not be permanent. Alike in the discharge of his duties as a private citizen and as a brave soldier in defense of the Union, he has been fearless, loyal and true, and has worthily won the high place he occupies in the regard of others.

Born in Rochester, Monroe County, N. Y., August 16, 1833, our subject is the son of Salmon B. and Mahetabelle (Vibber) Worden, natives of Vermont. Up to the age of ten years, he spent his boyhood in Rochester, and removed thence to Michigan with his parents, settling in Adrian, where his father held the pastorate of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In that city Rodman M. acquired a thorough education, that fitted him for the successful discharge of life’s duties. After leaving school he learned the trade of a butcher, being for a number of years in the employ of John S. Brown.

In 1858 Mr. Worden opened a meat-market at Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, Mich., where he carried on a large and profitable business for one year; but deeming the location of Benton Harbor and the opportunities offered a business man here superior to those of Three Rivers, he came to this village and opened a meat-market, it being the first in the place. Here he was engaged in supplying the wants of his customers when the war broke out, and, fired with zeal on his country’s behalf, he enlisted, becoming a member of Company B, Sixth Michigan Infantry, commanded by Col. Curtenius. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Gulf and, marching to the front, was afterward identified with the history of the Civil War in the South. With his company our subject participated in many of the hard-fought and decisive engagements of the war, among which may be mentioned the battles of Baton Rouge, Bayou LeTase and Bayou Lafeaux and the siege of Port Hudson.

Mustered out of the service at Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1864, Mr. Worden returned direct to Benton Harbor and resumed business operations, continuing until April, 1893, when he disposed of the meat-market. He is a man who gives thoughtful interest and attention to the questions of the day, and in his political views is a pronounced Republican. His fellow-citizens, recognizing the possession of qualities admirably adapting him for official position, have chosen him to occupy positions of trust. For fourteen years he served as an Alderman and he has also been President of the Village Board two years. In regard to social connections, he is a member of Benton Lodge No. 132, I. O. O. F.; the Knights of Honor and George H. Thomas Post No. 14, G. A. R. His marriage occurred in February, 1871, at which time he was united with Miss Irean Vanderbeek. Mrs. Worden is a daughter of Ambrose Vanderbeek, who was born in New York and in an early day settled in St. Joseph, Mich., but is now a resident of Benton Harbor. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Worden has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Minnie.