Robert B. Woodcock was a pioneer West Michigan lumberman and one of the organizers and early directors of the Michigan Trust Company. He was a partner, superintendent and general manager in the lumbering business of the late Lewis H. Withey, and was the first president of the Michigan Trust Company.

Woodcock, son of Christmas Woodcock, was born in Yarmouth, England in March, 1838; died in Grand Rapids on October 6, 1898. His family emigrated to Oswego County, New York in the year 1845. He worked for a time as superintendent of construction upon the Erie Canal. In 1853 he came to Grand Rapids, and in 1855 went to the southern states, remaining there until the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, when he returned. He worked by the month for W. H. Withey for several years, and after his death purchased his stock of lumber. In 1867 he went into partnership with Lewis H. Withey in the lumber business, with an office in the rear of the National Hotel. In the same year they purchased the W. H. Withey sawmill, with 600 acres of timberland. In addition, they operated a water mill in Alpine and in 1861 bought a water mill on Canal Street. In 1882 he went out of active business; and devoted his attention to his work as one of the directors of the real estate interests of the Michigan Trust Company. The other directors were: Freeman Godfrey, John L. Shaw, William T. Powers, Adolph Leitelt, William Widdicomb, and James K. Johnston. In addition, he became involved in local politics. In 1871 he was a member on the Board of Education. In 1872 he was an alderman under Mayor Julius Houseman, and in 1876 he was an alderman under Mayor Peter R. L. Pierce.

His social connections were all with his family. Mrs. Anna Woodcock, his second wife, was known for her interest in the work of St. James Home, the Little Sisters of the Poor and St. Mary's and Butterworth Hospitals, and was active in St. Andrew’s Cathedral Parish. Anna and Robert had two sons Robert G. and Harold B. Harold was a member of the 32nd Division of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.