Francis N. Stalter Page 195 - Francis N. Stalter. The Stalter Edge Tool Company, of Grand Rapids, is the only firm in the city making a complete line of knives used in woodworking, and for this reason it occupies a strong place in the manufacturing life of the city. Francis N. Stalter, who operates the business with his father, was born in Grand Rapids, July 9, 1980, the son of George W. and Lillian (Myers) Stalter, the former of whom was born in Orange County, New York, October 10, 1861, and the latter of whom was born in Northern Indiana in 1866. George W. Stalter came to Grand Rapids at the age of eighteen years, where he went to work as an edge tool maker, a trade which he continued to follow until the time he and his son engaged in the manufacturing business. His wife died March 18, 1924. Francis N. Stalter received his education in the grade and high schools of his native city, and later went to Muskegon, Michigan, where he entered the employ of the Continental Motor Works at engineering production. He returned to Grand Rapids, and on August 23, 1912, he and his father established the Stalter Edge Tool Company for the manufacture of planer and sticker knives. Though the firm started in a small way, the proprietors were justified in their idea, for the woodworking trade of Grand Rapids soon realized the advantage of such a concern located at their very doors. As a result, the company has enjoyed a steady growth until now it manufactures all kinds of knives used by the woodworking industry. The success of the firm has shown Mr. Stalter to be one of the able executives in manufacturing circles of the city. With the outbreak of the World war, he offered his services to the government, but was rejected for military service because of defective vision. He was finally accepted March 29, 1918, and was sent to Camp Gordon, Georgia, where he was assigned to training recruits for infantry service, reaching the rank of sergeant before his discharge. He was discharged from the army December 24, 1918 and returned immediately to Grand Rapids where he again took up the duties of his business. On May 15, 1918, he was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Myers, the daughter of Charles and Matilda (Barnes) Myers, of Huntington, Indiana. Mr. Stalter is a member of the Post of the American Legion at Grand Rapids.

Transcriber: Nancy Myers
Created: 22 March 2003