Pages 544-545-546 - David G. Mange, cashier of the Lowell State Bank at Lowell, Michigan, and for thirty-five years an active factor in the business and civic affairs of that village, is one of the aggressive and public spirited men of Kent county who has made his way to prominence and honorable prestige through his own well directed energy and efforts. Beginning his business career in a minor position with the Lowell State Bank when eighteen years of age, Mr. Mange has risen to a place of commanding influence, and during the many years of his residence here he has wielded definite and benignant prestige both as a citizen and as a man of splendid business ability. He was born at Stryker, Williams county, Ohio, December 19, 1875, a son of John G. and Rosa (Krause) Mange, both of whom were natives of Switzerland, where the former was born in 1849 and the latter in 1844. They were children at the time of the immigration of their respective families to the United States and their parents settled in the immediate vicinity of St. Louis, Missouri. Here they were reared, educated and married and were active and useful citizens of the community for many years. Mr. Mange gained a liberal education in Missouri and at Upper Alton, Illinois, and for many years he labored zealously as an evangelist, in which capacity his activities extended into the most diverse parts of the Union. He and his devoted wife, however, both passed the closing days of their long and useful lives at Lowell, where he died in 1906 and she in 1916. They were the parents of four children of whom two are living: David G. of this review, and Edith M., who is the wife of Frank F. Coons of Lowell. The educational advantages of David G. Mange were those afforded by the public schools of Michigan, in which he made good use of his time and opportunity. He became a resident of Lowell in 1890 and here he attended the high school for the ensuing three years. He early became self reliant and from early boyhood has been dependent upon his own resources. As a youth he manifested unusual business talent and in 1893, when only eighteen years of age he secured a minor position in the Lowell State Bank, and has since been identified with this great financial institution. His ability soon became apparent and his proficiency was acknowledged from time to time by promoters until he was elected cashier which responsible position he still retains. He is also a member of the board of directors of the bank, and in connection with his official duties he has built up an excellent business as an insurance underwriter. He is likewise a notary public and as such does a large amount of work in conveyancing and the handling of abstracts of title. The Lowell State Bank is one of Kent county’s most substantial financial institutions and its status has long been one of prominence in connection with the representative banking houses of the country. It is incorporated with a capital stock of $30,000 with individual profits of more the $25,000 and with deposits at the present time of fully $850,000. Mr. Mange has largely devoted his time and energy to the building up of this great financial institution for thirty-two years, and its present prosperity and high standing in financial circles may be attributed in no small degree to his quiet faithfulness and untiring efforts. In 1921 he became associated with Miss Myrtie A. Taylor in the insurance business under the title of the Mange-Taylor Insurance Agency and they conduct a general line of insurance. He is also extensively interested in farming and stock raising near Lowell where he owns and operates two farms comprising 373 acres, on which he has a fine herd of registered Jersey cattle. Besides his business connections Mr. Mange also finds time and opportunity to give effective co-operation in movements for the social and material betterment of the community and has ever stood as an exponent of the best type of civic loyalty and progressiveness. As a member of the village council at Lowell for eight years and trustee of the school board for nine years, he has rendered efficient service to these bodies. He has also been an active and valued promoter of the work of the Lowell Board of Trade and in the promotion of charitable movements and all measures tending to the public good he has ever had a ready hand and an open purse Mr. Mange was married in 1900 to Miss Lavancha E. Cogswell, of Lowell, Michigan, a woman of engaging personality and to this union there have been born three children: Richard D., Lester R., and Dorothy E. Mange.