Louis J. DeLamarter Pages 255-256 - Louis J. DeLamarter is vice-president and general manager of the Grand Rapids Railway Company, and in his executive capacity he has given splendid promotive service in bringing the street railway service of his home city up to the highest modern standard, besides which he has been an exponent of leadership in effecting progress in such public-utility service in general, in evidence of which stands his bringing about the recent competition exhibit in Grand Rapids (in May 1925), of the best type of modern electric street cars produced in the United States. In this connection there is significance in the following quotation from an article appearing in the Grand Rapids Herald of May 10, 1925; "It remained for Louis J. DeLamarter, vice-president and general manager of the Grand Rapids Railway Company, to awaken the engineers of the car building companies by his suggestions for all coaches to enter the local contest. The engineers have caught the spirit of the automotive world, and three coaches on exhibition here contain more new features than have been placed on streetcars before in the last twenty-five years. The eyes of car builders, motor manufacturers, traction experts, and all of the allied lines have been turned toward Grand Rapids during the last week. Nearly fifty executives and specialists have journeyed here, many of them from long distances, to see the new cars. Scores of others will come here during the next few weeks." Dr. DeLamarter was born at Stanwood, Mecosta county, Michigan, July 29, 1872, a son of Isaac A. and Amelia (Sheehey) DeLamarter, the former of whom was born in Lansing, the capital city of Michigan, and the latter of whom was born in the province of Ontario, Canada. The subject of this review was about three years old when the family home was established in Grand Rapids, and here his mother still resides. Mr. DeLamarter is not only a scion of one of the honored pioneer families of Michigan, but also one that was founded in America in the early colonial era. The original ancestor came from France in 1652 and early settlement was made by the family at Middlewater, New York. Peter DeLamarter, grandfather of Louis J., of this sketch, came to Michigan in 1837, the year in which this state was admitted to the Union, and he became one of the early settlers in Livingston county. The family name has been worthily linked with American history for seven generations, and with that of Michigan for three generations. In the public schools of Grand Rapids, Louis J. DeLamarter continued his studies until his graduation in the old Union high school. His early business experience was largely in connection with the business of leading theaters in Grand Rapids, and in 1903 there came further recognition of his exploitive and executive ability, in his being made resort manager for the Grand Rapids Railway Company, in charge of Ramona and North parks, the two most popular local resorts accessible on the lines of the company. By his own ability and effective service Mr. DeLamarter has won advancement with this important public utility corporation, of which he has been vice-president and general manager since 1920, he having previously served as chief clerk in the company’s general offices and later having been made secretary and treasurer, of which dual office he continued the incumbent until he was elected vice-president and general manager. Mr. DeLamarter is known and valued as one of the most loyal, liberal and progressive citizens of Grand Rapids, and he thinks, works and achieves for the benefit of his home city. He is an active member of the local Association of Commerce, of which he is a director, as is he also of the Peninsular Club. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he and his wife hold membership in the Baptist church. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, including the Mystic Shrine. Mr. DeLamarter was twice married. His first wife was Charlotte Clay, daughter of D. P. Clay, a pioneer railroad builder, and the one child born to them, Laura, is now Mrs. A. G. Ghysels of Grand Rapids. For his second wife he wedded Miss Marian C. Connelly, and they have three children: Jean, Marian and Louis J., Jr.

Transcriber: Nancy Myer
Created: 21 April  2003