Sands McCamly, pioneer and city founder. From: Everts, L. H. & Co. History of Calhoun County, Michigan... Philadelphia: Everts, 1877, p. 80. "JUDGE SANDS M'CAMLY came from Orleans county, New York, in June, 1831. Impelled by a desire to make a successful venture in the new country to which he had come, he made extra exertions to secure the present site of the city of Battle Creek, as before mentioned, on account of its general eligibility, and because it contained a water-power equal to any and excelled by none at any other place which he had previously visited. Failing, however, to secure the coveted tract of land, he moved his steps to the beautiful and fertile Nottawa praairie, where he and his family lived for about a year, and in the summer of 1832 settled at Marshall. It would seem as though the impression he had received of the site of the future city had been indelibly stamped upon his memory, for he returned to it in 1835, and at once commenced to utilize the fine natural advantages of the place. In February, 1834, Judge McCamly bought an equal and undivided half of the original Garnsey purchase, and removed it on February, 1835, and began operations. General Convis had control of the other half, and it was agreed between them that Judge McCamly have full possession of the whole water-power, provided that he would improve it. A body of twenty-five or thirty men, including many sons of Erin, were engaged in building the long race, which, in its day and under the circumstances, was a monument of enterprise worthy the man who accomplished it. Judge McCamly, on the admission of Michigan into the Union as a State, in 1835, was elected from this district a State senator. He possessed a strong and clear intellect, a sound judgment, a resolute will, and much sagacity. He was a good judge of men and things, and was inclined to view the sunny side of everything. He possessed high social qualities, fine conversational powers, and was an interesting raconteur. He left at his death, which occurred April 30, 1864, five children: three daughters, Mrs. L. H. Stewart and Mrs. D. W. Burnham, of Battle Creek, and Mrs. J. W. Oakley, of Chicago; and two sons, George, now in California, and Mark W., of Battle Creek."