Charles W. Garfield was born in Wisconsin on March 14, 1848. When he was ten years old, he moved with his family to Grand Rapids, settling on the Burton farm. He attended local schools and worked on his family's farm. As a high school boy, he was one of the founders of what is now the Grand Rapids Public Museum. In 1868 he entered the State Agricultural College and graduated in 1870, after which he became a horticulturist and Secretary of the Horticultural Society in 1876.

As a young member of the State House of Representatives, Garfield pioneered the good roads, forest reserve and reforestation, and county school movements. In his later years he was integral to the movements of city beautiful, parks, and playgrounds and boulevards, and for the commission form of government.

In 1892 Garfield planted a 6 acre portion of the Burton farm with 10 varieties of trees, which he gave to the Grand Rapids Park and Boulevard Association as a “forestry park” in 1914. This land was deeded to the city of Grand Rapids in 1921 to remain forever as a forest preserve, known as Burton Woods. Garfield and his cousins donated the land for Garfield Park in 1906, and upon his death in 1934, his remains were buried there under a large tree.

Garfield was referred to as the “Grand Old Man” of Grand Rapids and was described as “Grand Rapids' most useful citizen.” He was respected and revered by many as a philanthropist, public servant, nature lover, horticulturalist, banker, and for his work and activities in helping to shape Grand Rapids.