Not in recent years has the coming to Lowell of any man meant more to the community than that of Carleton H. Runciman in progress, in unity in community prosperity and in good fellowship.

While not an old resident in point of years, his interests and activities have been so many and so diversified that few men have wider and more loyal acquaintance than he.

Mr. Runciman was born at Chelsea, Washtenaw county, Mich., August 14, 1889, graduated from Chelsea High School in 1908, entered the Ferris Institute and left it in 1909 on account of the death of his father. He graduated from Michigan State Normal college at Ypsilanti in 1911 ; was superintendent of schools at Millington two years; taught in the Saginaw schools one year and was superintendent of schools at Gross Isle for 3 1/2 years.

In 1913 he was united in marriage with Miss Gladys Needham of Saginaw and four years later they came to Lowell where he bought the Jakeway Elevator which he has since prosperously and successfully conducted, buying beans, potatoes, seeds, etc. Several years ago he bought the F. B. McKay coal business, which he has operated from the same stand. In addition to these lines he has been for 13 years manager of the Lowell Live Stock association, shipping live stock for the farmers of this vicinity. Business expansion has required the building of an addition to the elevator and that of a neat office building.

During this eyar 1931 Mr. Runciman has been instrumental in organizing, capitalizing and bringing to Lowell a new concern of great promise, the General Bean company, for which a three-story brick building connected with the bean elevator has been built in which one hundred electric bean picking machines, marvelous devices, the invention of H. C. Hanson with the General Electric company as collaborators, all of which have been installed and are ready to run, waiting only for the application of the necessary power. The stock of this concern is owned by Grand Rapids and Lowell business men of whom Mr. Runciman is one and will be the local manager. If the confidently expected happens this concern will make Lowell the largest bean center in the United States.

In addition to these business activities Mr. Runciman has served on the Village Council three years—being in addition to his other accomplishments, a good smoker too. He has also served on the Lowell Board of Education twelve years, six years as its president and has been a member of the Lowell Board of Trade fourteen years, two years as its president.

He is also president of the Lowell State bank, giving that worthy institution much of his personal time and attention.

Socially, Mr. and Mrs. Runciman are hale fellows well met and they have been blessed with two fine children, Carleton Jr. and Jane; and they all live together in a beautiful home on Riverside drive.

That their days may be long and happy in the home of their choice is the hope of their friend and well-wisher.