Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Gay, Charlie November 12, 1837 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 17, 2009, 5:41 pm Author: Chapman Brothers CHARLIE GAY, editor and publisher of the Pioneer at Big Rapids, was born at Cuyahoga Falls, Summit Co., Ohio, Nov. 12, 1837. His father, William Gay, was born Nov. 9, 1811, in Vermont, and during the active years of his life was occupied as an engineer. He resides with his son at Big Rapids. The mother, Emily (Wells) Gay, was born in Chatham, Kent Co., England, Feb. 27, 1819, and died at Warren, Trumbell Co., O., April 15, 1881. Mr. Gay secured a substantial elementary education in the common and graded schools previous to his fifteenth year, when he entered a printing-office to acquire the details of the profession to which he purposed devoting his life. He came to Newaygo, Mich., to fill a position in the office of the Republican, where he was occupied six years. In 1862, in view of the budding prospects of Big Rapids, he proceeded thither with the purpose of establishing a county journal. A cursory examination of the field seemed to warrant the enterprise, and on the 17th of April, 1862, the initial number of the Mecosta County Pioneer was issued. The enterprise was established at a momentous period. The country was in the throes of the awful internecine conflict that threatened the dissolution and ruin of the grandest national structure on the records of time, and Mr. Gay fully realized the responsibility of his undertaking at such an era. He established his paper as the organ of no demagogism, but on the inflexible and uncompromising fundamental principle incorporated in the sentiment, "The Union, the Constitution and Enforcement of the Laws." The earnest young editor at once put himself en rapport with the community in which he established his business, and entered heatily into the work which, directly and indirectly, was uppermost in every man's purposes, - the re-establishment of the national unity, and the advancement of the interests of Mecosta County. An examination of the early files of the PIoneer makes an impression which should be placed on record, - that absolute moral cleanliness pervaded the entire community. The fact is rendered still more patent by the circumstances under which the Judiciary of the county was regulated. The Pioneer was the first paper published in the county, and until Aug. 1, 1867, was issued in a folio of five columns. It was then enlarged by by two additional columns; and again, in 1870, increased in the same proportion, becoming a pretentious journal of nine columns. In July, 1874, it took on additional dignity by conversion to a seven-column quarto, when its style was changed to the Big Rapids Pioneer. Aug. 1, 1881, the paper was issued as a daily, which still continues, and, conjointly with the weekly edition, is steadily increasing in influence and popularity. In the spring of 1869, Mr. Gay was elected the first Recorder of the City of Big Rapids, and in 1870 was the successful candidate for the office of County Clerk, a post he held eight consecutive years; he also officiated as Town Clerk from 1864 to 1869, with the exception of one year, and was Justice of the Peace from organization of the township until 1869. He is a radical Republican and cast his first Presidential vote of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Mr. Gay is a typical American. His impulses ae those of honesty and earnestness, and he guides his operations under their influence. He reaches conclusions with directness, acts always in accordance with his convictions, and makes no compromise with any issue that he believes antagonistic or detrimental to the principles which he inscribed upon his banners in his dawning manhood. He is trusted from his palpable, inate integrity and unselfishness of purpose. If his judgments conflict with those of other men, he is intrenched by his record of manly frankness and candor which have characterized every act of his pubic life. His journal has been conducted in accordance with the principles on which it was established, and has won a position second to none in the State, of commensurate scope and purposes. It commands, as it has done from the outset, the respect of its contemporaries, and in political emergencies and general issues holds a declared and positive position. Its metal has never an uncertain ring and its tendencies are patent and unmistakable. Mr. Gay is zealously interested in Masonic matters and occupies positions of trust in the several bodies of the order with which he is connected. He belongs to Big Rapids Lodge, No. 171, Pilgrim Commandery, No. 23, Big Rapids Chapter, No. 52, and to King Solomon Council, No. 25. In the two last named he holds the chief position at present writing. The marriage of Mr. Gay to Rosalie Bailey took place at Newaygo, May 12, 1860. Mrs. Gay is a daughter of John and Julie (LeMay) Bailey, and was born at Vergennes, Vt., Nov. 18, 1843. Her father is dead. Her mother was a second time married, to David Jarse, of Newaygo, whom she survives. Mr. and Mrs. Gay have two children: Fred, born Feb. 21, 1862 and Jessie, born Nov. 6, 1863. The similitude of the genial face of Mr. Gay in connection with this sketch. On their behalf the compilers and publishers of this volume desire to subjoin to the personal record of Mr. Gay a permanent expression of their grateful sense of his invaluable aid in the consummation of their work. His own emphatic disclaimer deters a more elaborate specification of the generous assistance he has accorded. Additional Comments: 1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/gay564nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 6.3 Kb