Charles Chadwick

CHARLES CHADWICK. - Probably no industry in which Grand Rapids people are deeply interested has grown so rapidly and from such small beginnings, in a few years, as has that of the growing of vegetables under glass. The tables not only of the rich, but those with only moderate incomes, may now be furnished with home-grown luxuries that, a few years since, could not have been secured at any price. It has remained for men of this city to solve the problems of early vegetables, and now the industry affords employment to hundreds of laborers, and, besides supplying our own tables with tender lettuce, brings to the proprietors of our numerous greenhouses many thousands of dollars annually. Of the many who have won success in this important industry is Charles Chadwick, the prosperous florist, gardener and fruit grower of Paris township, his establishment being located just at the southeast corner of the city. He was born in Grand Rapids, August 25, I866, and is the son of George VV. Chadwick, a well known resident of the city. Charles Chadwick was educated at the high school, taking a supplemental course also at Swensberg's commercial college. At the age of eighteen years he began gardening, and in connection therewith drove a market wagon and engaged in his present business in I891. He has seventy-five acres of fine land, of which about forty acres are devoted to fruit growing, and on which there are 5,000 peach and,000o plum trees. He has 60,000 square feet of glass, under part of which he grows large quantities of lettuce, cucumbers, etc. Violets, carnations, and other rare flowers demand much attention and contribute largely to the annual income. His greenhouse is supplied with the most modern appliances for watering and heating, and this department has been so thriving and satisfactory that he is now extending the space covered with glass. Starting nine years ago on a modest scale, the business has constantly 'grown until he has now one of the most remunerative plants of the kind in the vicinity. He grows about fifteen acres of tomatoes and three acres of asparagus, employing six to twelve assistants all the year round. His product is mostly shipped to the cities of the south and east, and his gross sales amount to from $5,000 to $10,000 annually. All the surroundings are in keeping, and indicate general prosperity. The handsome house and grounds all testify to the taste, skill and oversight of an intelligent proprietor. While giving careful attention to the multifarious details incident to this establishment, Mr. Chadwick has not ignored other important matters. In politics he is a silver-democrat and has attended, as delegate, for some years, the caucuses and conventions of his party, county, district and state, and has also filled the office of chairman of the township committee for three years. He is a popular, genial gentleman; is fond of athletic sports, including base-ball; likes to see a contest on the race course between thoroughbreds, and is one of the wide-awake, go-ahead men of the county. October 7, 1890, Mr. Chadwick was united in marriage with Miss Loretta M. Parsons, youngest daughter of William Parsons and a graduate of the Grand Rapids high school. Two children have blessed this marriage, and are named Maurice and Marian. William Spalding Parsons, late of Paris township and deceased father of Mrs. Chadwick, was born in I815 and died August 2, I877. He came from Maine to Michigan in 1837, was a carpenter by trade, and about 1840 bought a farm of forty acres in Paris township, to which he added until he owned 200 acres on Kalamazoo avenue, and now partially included within the city limits. In I841 Mr. Parsons first married Maria Fisk: of Moretown, Vt., who died at twenty nine years of age, leaving two children-Milo, still living, and William G., who died at the age of thirty-seven years. The second marriage of Mr. Parsons took place April 5, 1853, to Abby A. Fisk, sister of his deceased wife; she was born August 8, 1826, and came to Michigan in I847. To this second union were born five children, viz: May, who died when fifteen years old; Orville J., a farmer of Alton, Mo.; Walter S., on part of the old homestead; Belle, wife of N. G. Luce, a grocer at No. 1028 Fifth avenue, Grand Rapids, and Loretta M., now Mrs. Chadwick. Mrs. Abby A. Parsons, a member of the Paris Ladies' Literary society, resided from the date of her marriage on a part of the old homestead until her death, which occurred March 17, I899. Mr. Parsons was a stanch democrat and was frequently found in the councils of his party's leaders, and was one of the representative and most respected men of the day.