William Eugene Livingston

Page 439-440 - secretary and treasurer of the Grand Rapids Railway Company, is one of the native sons of Kent county who has gained success and prestige in connection with interests of much communal importance. He was born in Plainfield township, Kent county, Michigan, May 1, 1880, and is a son of Fred and Marian Isabella (Phillips) Livingston, now residing in Grand Rapids, where the father is associated with the Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company. Fred Livingston also was born in Plainfield township, Kent county, and is a son of the late William and Margaret (Miller) Livingston. William Livingston was born in Kingston, Province of Ontario, Canada, a son of Silas and Elizabeth (Truesdell) Livingston. Silas Livingston was born at Livingston Manor, one of the old-time popular places of Sullivan county, New York, in the year 1779. He came with his family to Kent county, Michigan, in 1837, the year that the state was admitted to the Union. The Livingston family name has been identified with the history of Kent county during the entire period of Michigan's existence as a state. The name also has been prominently mentioned in American history since the early colonial era, Philip Livingston, an uncle of Silas Livingston, having been one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In the year 1839 William Livingston, grandfather of William Eugene Livingston, purchased land in Plainfield township, and this he reclaimed from the forest wilds into a productive farm. At the time of his death he was the oldest white man who had resided permanently in that township from the pioneer days, and he was one of the sixteen men who met in a log house, in April, 1838, and organized Plainfield township. He was long numbered among the honored and influential citizens of that township and was a venerable pioneer of Kent county at the time of his death. William Eugene Livingston is the elder of the two sons of the family and his brother Don I., is now a resident of Chicago. Mr. Livingston was one year old when his parents removed to Grand Rapids. In later years, after receiving his education in the public schools, he attended the MacLachlan Business College. When a boy, he gained practical experience through his service as a newsboy. He later became identified with newspaper work and for twelve years was employed in the advertising department. In 1903 Mr. Livingston began his service with the Grand Rapids Railway Company, as an audit clerk, and later was promoted, becoming stockkeeper, assistant to the superintendent, purchasing agent, and finally secretary and treasurer, which office he now holds. He is an alert and progressive citizen and has always been active in the welfare and advancement of Grand Rapids. He is a Republican, a Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He was president of the local Lions Club in 1924. He is a member of the Fountain Street Baptist church. Mr. Livingston and Miss Blanch M. Mosher, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, were married in May, 1902. They have a wide circle of friends.