Savias E. Brown, a prosperous contractor and builder
of Muskegon, Mich., has materially aided in the improvement of his home
city by the erection of numerous handsome structures, private residences
and public buildings, all within the corporate limits of the town. Our
subject is a native of Vermont and was born in Lamoille County, September
21, 1843. His father, Samuel H. Brown, also a native of the Green Mountain
State and a man of fine ability and upright character, remained throughout
his lifetime a resident of New England, and after a life of busy usefulness
passed away in in New Hampshire in the year 1892. The paternal grandfather,
Joel Brown, a brave soldier of the War of 1812, was a native of Massachusetts,
the Browns having settled upon the rock-bound coast of our country in a
very early day, and throughout these past changing years of more than a
century have as citizens been distinguished by earnest effort and patriotic
motives. Their remote ancestry were of Scottish birth, possessing the virtues
of the country noted for its industrious thrift. The mother, Fanny (Eales)
Brown, a native of Massachusetts. was, like her husband, a descendant of
an old New England family.
Our subject spent the days of his childhood in his
birthplace and enjoyed excellent educational advantages in the common schools
of Vermont. At the age of eighteen years he decided to try his fortunes
in the braoder fields of the West, and in 1861, making a prospecting tour,
visited a number of prominent places, finally coming to Michigan, and in
1863 locating permanently in Muskegon. Here three years later, in 1866,
Mr. Brown, by trade a carpenter and builder, began contracting, and meeting
from the first with the most gratifying success has continued uninterruptedly
in that business ever since. Our subject built many of the county buildings
and erected the Muskegon Water Works plant at Lake Harbor, and in 1890
sunk the wells which supplied the city with water. He also built the Electric
Light plant, and in all his work for private parties or corporations has
given universal satisfaction by the prompt and faithful fulfillment of
his obligations and the excellence of material and workmanship he has invariably
furnished. Mr. Brown has likewise been especially successful in laying
cement walks, which are of the best quality and superior durability.
In 1868 Savias E. Brown and Miss Mary L. Bourdon, of Muskegon,
were united in marriage. The estimable wife of our subject was a native
of New York State and was reared and educated amid the scenes of her early
childhood. The attractive home, No. 44 Houston Avenue, is brightened by
the presence of three sons and three daughters. Fanny Mabel is the eldest-born,
then follow in the order of their birth, Phoebe Ann, Clarence E., Clinton
E., William E. and Loraine. Mr. and Mrs. Brown and their intelligent family
occupy high positions in the social world of Muskegon and enjoy the esteem
of a wide circle of friends. Our subject is fraternally a member of the
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and while not a politician is a Democrat,
deeply interested in both local and national issues, and is numbered among
the substantial citizens, ever ready to assist in matters of mutual welfare.
Charles L. King
In noting the business interests
of a city or town, it is particularly gratifying to be able to point to
the success of such a house as that of C. L. King & Co., for the reason
that their success may be used as a fair gauge of the average of prosperity
in the community. With the inventions, improvements and other accessories
discovered, a degree of excellence closely akin to perfection in the manufacture
of fruit packages, wood plates, veneers, etc., has been attained in the
last ten or twelve years. Charles L. King, who has been engaged in manufacturing
the above-mentioned articles in Holland since 1891, is a gentleman possessed
of excellent business capacity and good judgement.
He was born in Winona,
Minn., February 22, 1856, and his father, L. R. King, was a native of the
Keystone State, where he grew to manhood. At an early date he came Westward
and settled in Winona, Minn., where he was elected to the office of Sheriff,
being the first one in the county. Later he removed to Rochester, Minn.,
and he there embarked in the agricultural implement business and followed
this until his death, in 1868. He married Miss Rebecca Shepard and to them
were born seven children, two besides our subject now living. Both parents
were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and active workers
in the same. The father, who was a successful business man, accumulated
a large property, and gave liberally to the support of all worthy enterprises.
The youthful days of
our subject were passed in Winona, Minn., and he was educated in the schools
of that city and those of Rochester. After the death of his father our
subject continued to live in Rochester for three years, when he joined
a surveying expedition to Yellowstone Park and experienced many thrilling
adventures during this trip. Returning home, he went to New York City and
there followed the cigar business for about six months, after which he
went to Chicago, where he learned the business he is now following, and
which he has made such a decided success. Two years later he took charge
of a factory at Decatur, Mich., and operated it two and a-half years, when
the factory was moved to Muskegon and he took charge of it there. The factory
mentioned was Wood Package and Basket Company, and our subject managed
it for several years.
From there Mr. King
went to Montague, Mich., where he branched out in business for himself.
The present company was organized in August, 1881, and the Hanchett Paper
Company, of Chicago, is controlled by the firm of C. L. King & Co.
Mr. King selected his wife in the person of Miss Mary Johnson, a daughter
of William Johnson, and their union was solemnized in the year 1882. Politically,
Mr. King is a strong Republican and has taken an active part in the work
of his party. While residing at Montague he was a member of the Council
and was prominent in all matters of moment. The large factory of C. L.
King & Co. was erected in 1891 and they now have five large buildings.
The main building is a fine structure, made of Zeeland brick, and is 78x223
feet. Their capital is about $150,000 and they do an annual business of
$250,000. About two hundred hands are employed. This firm also has a Chicago
office, situated at Nos. 11 and 13 La Salle Street. Mr. King has been at
the head of this business since it first started and is familiar with its
every detail. Socially he is a Knight Templar of the Masonic fraternity,
also of the Mystic Shrine, and is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks. He is active in his support of all worthy measures, is public
spirited, and pushing, and a credit to any community. Whole-souled and
genial, his friends are legion.
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