David A. Wilson David
A. Wilson, a successful lumberman of Muskegon, Mich., and the efficient
Alderman representing the Fifth Ward in the Common Council, is a native
of his home city, and born September 6, 1865, has ever since attaining
his majority been intimately associated with the progressive interests
of his birthplace, and is widely known as an enterprising citizen and man
of sterling integrity. The father of our subject, Matthew Wilson, a pioneer
lumberman of Michigan and President of the Union National Bank of Muskegon,
continues a resident of the city where he settled in 1855, and engaged
in lumbering, rapidly amassed a competence. Financially prospered, and
a man of public spirit, he in 1889 organized the bank with which he is
now prominently connected as the principal stockholder, Director and President.
The estimable mother, Mrs. Mary L. Wilson, was likewise identified with
the early history of Muskegon, and a lady of worth and intelligence, was
recognized as an important factor in the social life of the city. David
A. completed the course of instruction in the Muskegon High School in 1883,
graduating with honor. Immediately after leaving school he energetically
entered into the lumber business and, anxious to acquire a practical training
and master every detail, began his apprenticeship in the woods, and later
became superintendent of the woods business for his father.
Our subject is one of the largest
stockholders in the Maxwell Lumber Company, of Muskegon. Winning his way
rapidly to a leading business position, he is also one of the principal
stockholders and a Director of the Magom & Kimball Coal Company, of
Muskegon. Attaining a self-reliant and intelligent manhood in his native
city, Mr. Wilson posses a host of friends, his genial manners, courteous
bearing and fine physique attracting all of whom he comes in contact, either
in social or business relations. A general favorite in society, our subject
received the congratulations and best wishes of a numerous acquaintance
when, upon March 2, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Maude F.
Marvin, daughter of Dr. Le Ray Marvin, a native of New York, but a long-time
and highly regarded citizen of Muskegon. The mother of Mrs. Wilson, Ellen
(Dyer) Marvin, born in Ohio, was a direct descendant of the Dyer family
who, emigrating to America in the "Mayflower," founded in this country
a branch of the Dyers who have given the United States some of her bravest
and most enterprising citizens, men of learning and business ability, and
women of culture and broad intelligence. The accomplished wife of our subject,
a lady of refinement and winning presence, is a most gracious hostess,
and she and her husband, in their magnificent home, No. 37 Peck Street,
Muskegon, entertain royally many of the most distinguished people of the
Wolverine State.
Politcally a Democrat, Mr.
Wilson is a leader in the local councils of the party, and while his ward
is one of the strongholds of the city Republicans, was elected upon the
Democratic ticket by a handsome majority. In his official position zealous
in the service of the city and true to the best interests of his constituents,
our subject commands unversal confidence and esteem. His is fraternally
associated with Lovell Moore Lodge No. 182, A. F. & A. M., and is likewise
a member of Lodge No. 48, B. P. O. C., the Grand Lodge being located at
Cleveland, Ohio. Possessing quick discernment and keen judgement, and being
prompt to grasp a situation, Mr. Wilson has won his way to a high place
among the substantial business men and capitalists of the State and in
the handling of large moneyed interests and public trust has exhibited
an executive ability which assures his able fullfillment of every obligation
of life as a friend, citizen and public man, faithfully aiding in the general
welfare and upward progress of his fellow-men.
Ernest A. Worden With the development and advancement of any great
commonwealth are indissolubly connected the names and careers of certain
men who, uniting their efforts, and with the love of their country at heart,
have sought the advancement of their respective callings, and thus reflected
credit not only upon themsleves, but upon their professions and their State.
Thus it is that Michigan has within her borders many men to whom she may
justly point the finger of pride, and whose names are inseparably connected
with her advancement, morality, intellectually and financially. Standing
pre-eminent among the real-estate dealers of Muskegon, Mich., is Ernest
A. Worden, who has made his name of enduring value in this city.
This worthy representative of the real-estate interests
of Muskegon County is a native of Michigan, born in Utica, Macomb County,
September 2, 1852. His parents, Carey and Mary E. (Madison) Worden, were
natives of New York and New Hampshire, respectively, the father born in
Dutchess County August 1, 1809, and the mother in Chester March 26, 1819.
The former is still living and makes his home in Almont, Lapeer County,
Mich. For many years he was a merchant in the Lake State. His wife died
on the 31st of July, 1861, in Almont, Mich. They were the parents of four
children, our subject being third in order of birth. This was his father's
second union.
When two years of age, our subject was taken by his
parents to Almont, Mich., and there, as soon as old enough, he began attending
the district school. Later he entered the High School, and after finishing
there began clerking in his father's store, remaining in the same until
eighteen years of age. He then came to Muskegon County, and in 1872 began
clerking in the dry-goods store of Smith & Platt, at Muskegon, where
he remained until 1880. That year he embarked in the dry-goods business
on his own account, and continued the same until the fall of 1889, when
he sold out and went South and East in search of health. Returning to Muskegon
in 1890, he embarked in the real-estate business, and is dealing very extensively
in city property. He is conducting transactions in all branches of the
business, buying, selling, exchanging, etc., and is well equipped and prepared
to attend to orders and commissions promptly and satisfactorily.
In his choice of a life companion he selected Miss
Lida T. Merrill, a native of Muskegon, Mich., and the daughter of E. W.
Merrill. Their union was solemnized in 1876, and they have one daughter,
whose birth occured May 28, 1884. They have an elegant residence situated
in the center of the block, and this neat home is of the latest style of
architecture, is situated on one of the best paved streets of the city,
and in a good neighborhood. Socially, Mr. Worden is a Royal Arch Mason,
and politically, a stanch Democrat. He and his wife are held in high esteem
in the community, and take a leading part in all worthy movements.
Prof. Daniel J. Moriarty
Prof. Daniel J. Moriarty,
known all over the county as "Uncle Dan," belongs to one of the Irish-American
families of Muskegon, Mich., and no one is better known for earnest industry
and devotion to duty, as well as for the intelligent management of his
affairs, than he. He has been sufficiently shrewd to grasp at every opportunity
offered for the bettering of his financial condition, but has never done
so at the expense of his own self-respect, or by fraudulent means. He has
labored faithfully for himself and family and is now possessed of a competence
gained by energetic and well-directed efforts. He is well known to the
people of Muskegon, and his correct mode of living has gained him a popularity
which is merited in every respect.
Our subject was born
in Ireland in the year 1813, and is the son of James and Bridget (Shea)
Moriarty, natives also of the Emerald Isle. The father followed the occupation
of farmer in his native counry, and there passed his entire life. He was
an honest, hard-working gentleman, and one whose career was ever upright
and honorable. The mother, after the loss of her husband, came to this
country, and made her home finally in this county, where she died. "Uncle
Dan" received his scholastic training in the common schools and later attended
school in Dublin, receiving a thorough course of instructions in that city.
Finishing his education, he came to America in 1866 and opened the Muskegon
Hotel, later the Forest City House, which he carried on successfully until
1874, when it was destroyed by fire and he sustained a heavy loss.
Following his losses
by fire, Mr. Moriarty embarked in the jewelry business and has continued
that up to the present time. No man in the city occupies a higher position
for energy, enterprise, public spirit, integrity and business rectitude
than Mr. Moriarty. He is emphatically a business man, the carver of his
own destiny, and has made it an honorable one. In the year 1833 he was
married to Miss Mary Ann Marshall, the daughter of a Frenchman, and their
nuptials were celebrated in New York City. They had an adopted daughter,
Pearl Moriarty Power, who died July, 1893. In politics, our subject is
independent, voting for the man rather than the party, and has held a number
of prominent positions in the city. He was first Alderman of the First
Ward, then City Recorder, and while Alderman discharged the duties of acting
Mayor repeatedly.
When starting out in
life for himself, "Uncle Dan" first engaged in teaching school, and was
Superintendent of the schools of New York for three years. He was a laborious
student, and investigated very thoroughly every subject that fell within
his duties; and he is now a close reasoner, a deep thinker, and an honorable,
upright citizen. He has been an ardent advocate of the cause of the laboring
man and is interested in labor unions. Before "Uncle Dan" came to this
city he held the Chair of Abstract Mathematics and Logic in the Notre Dame
(Ind.) University, which position he occupied for three years.
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