Page 133 - ANDREW J. EMLAW.   Mr. Emlaw, formerly one of the foremost lumber manufacturers of Grand Haven,Mich., is now retired from the active duties of life, and lives in the enjoymentof a handsome home on Franklin Street, Grand Haven. His long life of industryand usefulness, and his record for integrity and true-hearted faithfulness inall the relations of life, have given him a strong hold upon the community whichall might well desire to share. His career is an example of the prosperity thatcomes to him who strives, for his success in life has not been the result ofchance, but of his individual and continuous efforts. Mr. Emlaw is a native ofVermont, a State always suggestive of the honest, hard and rugged character inhuman life, and was born in Alburgh Springs February 5, 1829. His parents, Michael and Wealthy (Maxfield) Emlaw, were both natives of theEmprie State. The father was born on the shore of Lake Champlain in 1800. He wasa cooper by trade and an honest, industrious man. Mrs. Emlaw was the daughter ofIsaac Maxfield and of Scotch descent. By her marriage to Mr. Emlaw she becamethe mother of eight children, the original of this notice being sixth in orderof birth. The early educational advantages of our subject were received in thedistrict schools of Franklin County, N.Y., and later he learned the trade of amillwright. In the year 1849 he came to Michigan and located in Grand Haven,where he followed his trade and was also engaged in building sawmills up to1866, when he formed a partnership with C.L. Storrs & Co., the firmcontinuing under the title for five years, when it was changed to Reynolds &Emlaw. This firm manufactured pine lumber and continued the businesssuccessfully up to 1875, when the mill burned. In 1881 the Grand Haven LumberCompany was organized with C. Boyden as President, Mr. Emlaw Vice-President andH. C. A. Keley as Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Emlaw is sole owner of the gasplant of Grand Haven. Our subject remained in the business until 1885, when he retired, and is nowliving a happy, contented life. He has ever been interested in the public weal,is generous in his support of worthy measures, and is a model citizen, as allwho are acquainted with him know. The soul of honesty in all his businesstransactions, by his correct mode of living he has made numerous warm andfaithful friends. Blood will surely tell, and men who come from good and honoredancestors, and are reared in an atmosphere of honesty and good principles, willassuredly make their mark in whatever field of labor fate may destine them towork. Mr. Emlaw was married in 1872 to Miss Louisa Bentham, of Grand Haven,Mich., and two children have blessed this union, Harlan S. and Martha L. Mr.Emlaw’s views are embodied in the declarations of the Republican party, andhis vote is cast with that organization.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & OttawaCounties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company Pg. 133

Transcribed by:  Susan G. Davis
Created: 6 January 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index