Louis C. Voss

Louis C. Voss has been prominently identified with the ice business ad the sand and gravel industry of Grand Rapids for more than a decade. He was born in Grand Rapids, October 8, 1885, a son of Willibald and Elizabeth (Rademacher) Voss, the former of whom was born in Germany and came to the United States when he was twenty years of age. Willibald Voss settled in Grand Rapids and in 1877 opened a harness and saddle shop at 123 Canal street, where he conducted a thriving business for many years. Later he engaged in the natural ice business under the firm style of the Voss Ice Company. He also became interested in several sand and gravel pits in the vicinity of Grand Rapids. He supplied the gravel for the construction of the Bridge street bridge, upon the completion of which he was tendered the honor of being the first man to pass over the new bridge. He died January 16, 1915, his wife, who was born in Michigan, preceding him in death, October 7, 1913. Louis C. Voss, received his education in St. Mary’s parochial school at Grand Rapids, and after the completion of his tuition days he entered the Moon Lake Ice Company in 1913. For a time previous to this, however, he was associated with his father in the Valley City Gravel and Stone Company. In 1916, after three years of conscientious effort in the interests of the Moon Lake Ice Company, he was made secretary and treasurer of that concern, a position which he still retains. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Wyoming Sand and Gravel Company, and his work with these two concerns has marked him in business circles as one of the influential business men of the city. On September 24, 1912, he married Miss Elnora J. Meldrum, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William G. Meldrum, the former of whom was a captain on the Great Lakes for many years and died July 24, 1922, and the latter of whom is still living at Pontiac, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Voss are the parents of three children as follows: Mary Catherine, Margaret Anne, and Donna, all of who are attending St. Mary’s parochial school. Mr. Voss and his family are affiliated with St. Mary’s Catholic church.