Louis V. Middleton

Page 459-460 - Louis V. Middleton was born in Grand Rapids, February 28, 1882. His antecedents were English on his father’s side and York State Dutch on his mother’s side. His father, the late Victor H. Middleton, was prescription clerk for Peck Brothers, for twelve years. Upon the death of his father and the second marriage of his mother, the family removed to Mississippi, locating on a farm in the back woods. Louis had attended school in Grand Rapids as far as the end of the fifth grade. His subsequent education was self acquired. When eighteen years of age he taught district school for a year. In the meantime he acquired a knowledge of pharmacy by home study. Returning to Grand Rapids one year later he found employment for a year in the pharmacy of Dr. Louis Barth. He subsequently worked five years in the West drug stores, having charge of the surgical instrument department. He also worked for Benjamin Schroeder, Gil. Haan and Walter K. Schmidt. Fifteen years ago he engaged in business on his own account at 921 Ottawa avenue, remaining there nine years, when he removed his stock to the corner of Ottawa avenue and Mason street. From the beginning he specialized on biologies of various kinds. He soon worked up a large trade with physicians, so that his store is now regarded as headquarters for these goods. Mr. Middleton has been supervisor of the second ward two terms. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Kent County Detention Home. He was instrumental in starting the Ottawa Community Improvement Association six years ago, and served the organization as secretary several years. He has edited the publication known as the Ottawa Enterprise for ten years. He was the first secretary of the Grand Rapids Retail Druggists’ Association. He is attributed to have been the first one to suggest the use of the word victory in describing the fifth Liberty Loan. e He He wrote the treasury department the day after armistice was signed, suggesting the name above stated and also that the numerical designation of the loan be written V. Both suggestions were subsequently adopted by the government. When the school houses were designated as the places where questionnaires could be filled up by those subject to the draft, the Coldbrook school house was closed by smallpox. Mr. Middleton threw open his store to the officers designated to handle the papers, being probably the only drug store in the United States which was thus honored. Mr. Middleton was chosen as secretary of the Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association in 1919 and has been re-elected as secretary of that organization in each succeeding year and is now satisfactorily serving in that capacity. Mr. Middleton was married fourteen years ago to Miss Julia Van Rossum, of Grand Rapids. They have the following children: Victor J., who was born on December 26, 1909 and is now a senior in the Central high school and drummer in the band; Peter L., born August 31, 1914; Zilla M., born December 13, 1921 and Nella L., born October 5, 1923. The family reside in their home at 30 Mason street. Mr. Middleton is a director in the Professional Underwriters Corporation. Besides the organizations above named Mr. Middleton belongs to the B. P. O. E., N. A. R. D. and A. Ph. A. He takes an active interest in all of his professional and fraternal affiliations, which makes him one of the busiest men in the city. Whatever he does he believes in doing well. His wife, Mrs. Middleton, is one of the three owners of the Arctic Spring Water Company. She has served as president of the Coldbrook Mothers’ Club.