John H. Colleton John H. Colleton, the enterprising and popular real estate dealer at No. 1556 Ellsworth avenue, Grand Rapids, Mich., was born in county Queens, Ireland, January 1, 1852, a son of Dennis and Sarah (Fitzpatrick) Colleton, natives of the same county, and parents of seven children, viz: Dennis, Thomas, John H., Michael, Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Johanna, all of whom are living, with the exception of the first born. Thomas and Michael live in Grand Rapids, the former being a liquor dealer and the latter a dealer in real estate, and both married; Mary Ann is the wife of Christopher Miles, a farmer of Bryon township, Kent county, Mich.; Elizabeth is now Mrs. Peter Phalen, and Johanna is unmarried, and both still live in Ireland. The father of the family, who was a farmer, died in Ireland, at the age of fifty-two, and the mother at fifty-eight years. John H. Colleton was the first of his family to leave the Emerald isle, and arrived in America in 1869. He began learning carriage making with a cousin in Brooklyn, N. Y., but never finished his apprenticeship, preferring to come west. On arriving in Grand Rapids he found employment as head porter, and later as night clerk, in Sweet’s hotel, and held his place for seven years. His work was hard and his salary but moderate, though his opportunities for receiving "scale" money were excellent, and he saved every cent. He here inaugurated the scalping business the first in the city, as far as known and made a handsome sum by buying and selling railway and steamship tickets. The first four years he deposited over $4,000 in the Old National Bank, and while still in the hotel began dealing in real estate, making his first purchase in 1873. In 1875, he erected two large residences, which he afterward disposed of to good advantage. In 1876, prior to leaving the hotel, he established a retail liquor business at No. 156 Ellsworth avenue, and allowed his cousin a half interest for conducting it; this has been continued until the present time, wholesaling being added in 1884. In 1888, Mr. Colleton made a trip to Europe, visiting Germany, France, Holland, Switzerland, northern and southern Italy, Belgium, England and Ireland. He invested heavily in wines and liquors in Holland, Germany, France, Italy, England and Ireland, bringing the cargo through the great lakes to Grand Haven, Mich., and was thus the first importer to land foreign liquors on Michigan soil. On his return he established a branch store at No. 50 Lyon street, Grand Rapids, and has continued in the importing business ever since. He also bought over with him his brother Michael and sister Mary A. Michael being connected in business with him until 1897. His brother Thomas had come over in 1878. In 1881, also, Mr. Colleton purchased two tracts of 320 acres each of heavily hardwood timbered land in northern Michigan, which he disposed of at a handsome profit, and invested the proceeds in city property. In 1882-3-4, he built extensively in the city mostly tenements expanding many thousands of dollars, but since the panic of 1893 rents have greatly fallen and value depreciated. In the year last mentioned, he owned, clear of encumbrance, twenty three houses and blocks in the city, but his losses, owing to the depreciation spoken of, have been very heavy. Mr. Colleton next began dealing in patent rights, at one time investing over $9,000 which brought him no returns; another investment of a similar character resulted in a total loss of $5,000, and another cause of great loss has been the too free use of his name on the back of other men’s paper. But Mr. Colleton never quailed under these severe reverses, and is today still a wealthy and respected man. April 16, 1875, Mr. Colleton was united in marriage with Miss Katie E. Curran, who was born in Fishkill, Dutchess county, N. Y., June 22, 1854, a daughter of James and Catherine (Fitzpatrick) Curran, the father being a native of county Cavan, and the mother of county Queens, Ireland. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Colleton has been blessed with nine children, four of whom still survive, viz: Dennis Michael, John Henry, Jr., Katie E. and Elizabeth; Thomas, Mary, Sarah and Matthew died in infancy or early childhood, and one babe died unnamed. In politics Mr. Colleton was a stanch democrat up to 1874, when he became convinced that policy of the republican party was more consistent with the needs of the poorer classes, and more favorable to the down trodden of the old world, and since that date he has been a zealous worker for the latter party, and freely contributed his money and personal exertions to secure the election of James G. Blaine to the presidency. In 1884 Mr. Colleton made a second trip across the ocean, visiting Spain, South America, the West Indies, Central America, etc., and spending seven months—on business combined with pleasure. On this trip he formed the acquaintance of several firms in Spain, with whom he has since been doing business. He is progressive, up-to-date business man, with vast and varied experiences in life. He began his career in this country without money or influence, and through his individual business tact, energy, industry and economy at the beginning, has forced himself to a foremost position among the most affluent business men in Grand Rapids, and although dealer in liquors is a strict teetotaler. Mr. Colleton and family are members of the Catholic church, and worship at St. Andrew’s cathedral, under the Very Rev. Bishop Richter. He is not niggardly in contributing to the church and its sodalities, and is ever ready to aid all its work of charity. Dennis Michael Colleton, eldest son of subject, attended Assumption college at Sandwich, Canada, for three years, with a view of entering the ministry, but relinquished his purpose. He is also graduate from Grand Rapids Business college. Mr. Colleton is a member of the A. O. H., and of company B., Thirty-second regiment, state national guards. He has been largely interested in the manufacture of bed springs and carpet beaters, and is the patentee of both articles, and has made a success of them. He is a public spirited citizen, and is active in both political and social circles.