History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 226 - 227

HORACE G. HUTZLER

It is a well-recognized fact that the most powerful factor and influence in shaping and controlling public life is the press. It reaches a greater number of people than any other agency and thus has always been and, in the hands of persons competent to direct it, always will be a most important factor in molding public opinion and shaping the destiny of a nation. The gentleman to a brief review of whose life these lines are devoted is prominently connected with the journalism of Wexford county, and at this time is editor and publisher of the Manton Weekly Tribune, one of the most popular papers of the county, comparing favorably with the best local sheets in this section of the state as regards news, editorial ability and mechanical execution. The county recognizes in Mr. Hutzler not only one of the keenest newspaper men, but also a representative citizen, whose interest in all that affects the general welfare has been of such a character as to win for him a high place in the confidence and esteem of the people. Horace G. Hutzler was born in Iroquois, Iroquois county, Illinois, on the 16th of September, 1863, and is the son of David Davis and Charlotte (Church) Hutzler. He is of German-Welch descent, his emigrant ancestors first settling in Virginia, in which state all his grandparents were born. His mother's grandfather, Henry Shipman, was a relative and pioneer companion of the celebrated frontiersman, Daniel Boone, and together they settled in the wilds of Kentucky. The subject's father is a native of Ohio and his mother of Illinois. At the time of the outbreak of hostilities between the north and south, in 1861, they were prosperous farmers in Iroquois county, Illinois, but the father, feeling that his country needed his services at the front, left his family and the peaceful pursuits of civil life and went to the front, where for four years he fought in the defense of Old Glory and the vindication of the principle of central government. His wife died in Manton about nine years ago, but he still resides at that place at the age of seventy-nine years, making his home with a daughter, enjoying the respect and esteem of all who know him. The subject of this sketch at the close of the Civil war was brought by his parents to Berrien county, Michigan, where his boyhood days were passed. He was permitted to attend school during the winter months, but during the summers was employed on the farm and in getting out timber, his father being engaged in the shipping of the latter. It was necessary for him to walk to New Troy, two and a half miles distant, in order to attend school, but he was of a studious disposition, and made the most of his opportunities, so that eventually he became a fairly well-informed lad. This training has since been liberally supplemented by wide reading and a close observation of men and events, and today there are few men in this locality better informed in a general sense than is the subject. At the age of twelve he removed with his parents to Indiana, settling near Warsaw, in Kosciusko county, where his teens were passed, partly in attendance at school and in the capacity of salesman. At the age of nineteen years Mr. Hutzler went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was engaged as a dry goods salesman, and at the same time he attended night school and a commercial college. Subsequently he came to Manton, where his parents had located some years previously, and shortly afterward entered the Union Law College at Chicago, it being his intention at that time to take up the practice of law as his life work. However, because of impaired health, he was compelled to relinquish these plans, and the following two years were passed in the capacity of traveling salesman, with the object in view primarily of benefiting his health. Returning to Manton in 1892, he shortly afterward purchased the Manton Tribune and at once assumed the active management of the paper. He is a ready and facile writer, wielding a trenchant pen, and through the columns of the Tribune he has exerted a powerful and far-reaching influence on all questions which have become of public importance. By pen and personal influence he has been an earnest advocate of all movements which have tended to the betterment of the people of his community and the upbuilding of the city, materially or morally. Of the common people, he is a lover of justice and equity and a foe to class legislation, and is also an earnest advocate of municipal ownership of public institutions. In politics he is a stanch Republican, a champion of the protective tariff system and a standard dollar of intrinsic value. Since settling in Manton Mr. Hutzler has several times been honored by his party with offices of trust and responsibility, having served several years as village clerk, several years as township clerk, being at the present time a member of the common council, township clerk and deputy state oil inspector for the twenty-first district, having received the latter appointment at the hands of Governor Bliss in July, 1901. In 1895 Mr. Hutzler was united in marriage with Miss Lillian Bostich, of Manton, and they have three children, Ralph Emerson, Wauneta M. and Damon. Fraternally Mr. Hutzler is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, of which he is past commander; the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is past master workman; the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is one of the managers, and. with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is chancellor commander.