Charles Hoertz, general contractor and builder, with his residence at No. 187 West Bridge street, Grand Rapids, Mich., was born in New York City, April 11, 1852, is descended from hardy German ancestry, has combined German frugality with American ingenuity in his mentality, and has made a success of life.

Michael and Barbara (Schmultz) Hoertz, parents of Charles Hoertz, natives of Wittenberg, Germany, came to the new world in early life and for about twelve years resided in New York City, where several of their children were born and where the father worked at his trade of cabinetmaker, but later removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he and several members of his family resided many years.

Charles Hoertz acquired a fair education in the schools of New York and Cleveland, and at the age of fifteen years began an apprenticeship at the cabinetmaker’s trade; two years later he entered into carpentering and building, and these he has embraced as his life work, being naturally a mechanic and familiar from youthhood with the use of tools. He began contracting in early manhood in Cleveland, followed it successfully until 1885, and then secured a contract to construct a pail factory at Midland, Mich., where he passed a year, and then came to Grand Rapids and at once became identified with its building interest. He has erected a large number of fine buildings in this city, among which may be mentioned the Kennedy and Hannish blocks, the Leonard refrigerator factory, the Everett residence and other elegant mansions; but his construction work has not been confined to Grand Rapids, as he has built a fine hotel at Ottawa Beach, and a swimming pool at Charlevoix, a railway station at Bay View, and is now constructing the united states life saving station at Charlevoix and a depot for the G. R. & I. railway at La Grange, Ind. His pay roll numbers at present thirty-eight names, and he never has less than twenty-five. In selecting his assistants, he considers mechanical skill rather than the wages to be paid, and is thus able to turn out the most satisfactory results.

The private residence of Mr. Hoertz is "a thing of beauty and joy forever." It occupies a ground space of 38x50 feet and is two stories high, and the style of architecture is combined Gothic and Corinthian. The basement is eight feet in the clear, and is of stone, cut and coursed above ground; the first story is of sand brick—an imitation of stone—and the second story and attic are finished in handsome wood designs. At the front entrance are Corinthian columns in rubble work, carefully selected and harmonized as to color, giving an idea of solidity combined with beauty. The dwelling is richly and tastefully furnished, its walls adorned with costly painting, and an air of home comfort and conjugal happiness pervades the whole. The material and finishing of this model home cost $5,200.

The summer residence of Mr. Hoertz is at Ottawa Beach, is constructed of wood, is 36x85 ground plan, has hardwood floors, is finished in pine, stained cherry color, and cost $3,000. Besides these properties Mr. Hoertz has several residence in Grand Rapids, which net him handsome rentals. It may be added, incidentally, that his possessions are wholly the result of his own efforts.

Mr. Hoertz selected for his life companion Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Barbara (Schaffer) Hummell, born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 8, 1854, to whom he was married December 24, 1876.