Grace Ferne "Ferne" Liverence, daughter of Frank E. (1858-1941) and Mae (Barber) (1864-1936) Liverence, was born 3 July 1893, Williamston, Ingham County, Michigan. She graduated in 1910 from Okemos High School and in May 1914 from Michigan Agricultural College (MAC later Michigan State College, Michigan State University) with a major in home economics.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Saturday 23 May 1914
COMPLETE PLANS FOR GRADUATION AT THE COLLEGE
HOME ECONOMICS POPULAR
Home Economics - ..... Grace Fern Liverance, Okemos, ......
Ferne married Irving John Woodin 21 August 1915, Okemos, Ingham County.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Friday 20 August 1915
A marriage license has been issued to Irving J. Wooden, of Owosso, and Grace F. Liverance, of Okemos.
Irving, born 20 October 1889, Howell, Livingston County, Michigan, was a 1907 graduate of Owosso High School and a 1913 graduate of MAC.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Monday 27 Janurary 1913
Editors note: This is a cute article on her husband-to-be (Woodin)....and he turned into a fruit and vegetable power house broker in California in the 1930-1950's. Interesting man. The 1913 write up gives a flavor of the era and is just fun to read. Woodin was the high bidder in the pie baking contest. Also, 3rd highest pie was baked by an Okemos girl and sold to the Jackson prison warden. SPB
Owosso Times (Owosso, Michigan) Friday 5 February 1915
OWOSSO BOY MAKING GOOD
Irving J. Woodin, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Woodin of this city, who has been manager of the Kansas City Mo., office of the North American Fruit Exchange for two years past, is now in Traverse City for the purpose of looking after the interests of his employers, who have a five year contract with the fruit and vegetable growers in the Traverse region to market their products, and to organize a local exchange. Mr. Woodin is given this work because of the marked ability shown in handling the western business and it is safe to predict success for him as he is a great worker and as energetic as could be wished.
Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) Friday 3 March 1916
MICHIGAN MEN GET U.S. JOBS
Washington, March 2 - Arthur Wesley, Gleason Giles and George M. Reiner have been appointed clerks in the Detroit post office. John Nordyke, Grand Rapids, is appointed clerk in the war department. Irving J. Woodin, of Traverse City, is appointed market assistant in the agricultural department on a salary of $2,000 per annum.
Irving registered for the World War I draft 5 June 1917 in Cook County, Illinois. He listed himself as a salesman of fresh fruit and vegetables employed by "Cudshfield, Woolfolk & Clare." Irving stated he had a wife and child and was described as tall with medium build, brown eyes and dark hair.
By the early 1920 Irving had moved his family to California and was employed as a salesman for the California Fruit Exchange. By the 1930's Irving moved to the position of sales manager which he held until in the early 1940's when he was promoted to General Manager of the "Exchange."
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Saturday 25 August 1923
Mrs. Fern Woodin and daughters, Elizabeth Jane, and Elsie Ruth, left this week for their home in Sacramento, California, after spending nearly two months in Michigan. Mrs. Woodin is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Liverance of Okemos.
Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) Thursday 3 June 1948
COMMENCEMENT EVENTS
Charles F. Kettering, a director of General Motors Corp., will speak at the commencement exercise.
The record number of 1,966 undergraduate and 213 higher degrees will be awarded in addition to four honorary degrees and four special alumni citations.
Scheduled to receive honorary degrees are Irving J. Woodin, class of 1913, Doctor of Agriculture.....
The presentation will be made by Dr. John A. Hannah, college president.
Irving retired 31 January 1955 after nearly 30 years service to the California Fruit Exchange. He died 1 February 1969, Sacramento County, California. Ferne died 27 April 1985, Sacramento County. Irving and Ferne were interred East Lawn Memorial Park, Sacramento, Sacramento County.