Oliver S. Waters (deceased), formerly one of the leading business men and manufacturers of Grand Rapids, Mich., was born in Erie county, N. Y., December 4, 1845, a son of Asa and Annie (Dudley) Waters, the former a life long farmer.

Oliver S. Waters received a sound practical education in youth, and was reared on his father’s farm. In 1866 he came to Grand Rapids at the solicitation of his brothers, Daniel H. and Elijah D., at that time proprietors of a box factory, and remained with them until the plant was sold. In 1870 he assisted in organizing the Michigan Barrel company, of which his brother, Daniel H., was the first president, and of which Oliver S. Waters was the general manager for sixteen years. He was then elected its president, which office he filled until too close attention to business broke down his health and led to his resignation in 1894.

Mr. Waters was united in marriage with Miss Louise J. Spaulding, a native of Erie county, N. Y., and this union was blessed with three children, viz: Horace J., whose life sketch appears on another page of this work; Mary L., wife of George McMullen, and Lewis D., now attending school.

Near the close of the Civil was Mr. Waters was appointed as second sergeant of company F., Sixty-seventh New York volunteer infantry, and started at once to participate in the struggle, but before reaching the scene of the conflict the news of Lee’s surrender came and the necessity for Mr. Waters’ services ended.

Oliver S. Waters, the pioneer box maker and cooper, was called to rest March 22, 1898. He was one of the most energetic and enterprising manufacturers of Grand Rapids, was extremely popular, was of a generous disposition and a tender husband and loving and indulgent father. He acquired a competency by his business tact and ability, albeit he labored hard and was fully entitled to all he possessed. Some twelve years ago he purchased the pretty residence at No. 28, North Prospect street, where his bereaved widow still resides with her unmarried children, honored and respected by all who have the pleasure of being acquainted with her.

Politically, Mr. Waters was a republican and in religion was an attendant of the Baptist church; fraternally he was a member of the Chosen Friends, and few men have been more sincerely mourned than Oliver S. Waters.