Edward L. Wagner Edward L. Wagner, Page 436-37 clerk of the Kent circuit court at the present time and nominee of the Republican party for re-election to that office, is a native of Grand Rapids, where he was born May 5, 1871. His father, John B. Wagner, was born in Germany in 1829, and his mother, Catherine Dikman, was born in Paris, France. John Wagner came to the United States with his parents in 1839. He did not settle in Michigan, however, until 1858, when he went to Sand Lake. There he operated a sawmill until 1862, selling the mill in that year to come to Grand Rapids, where he entered the employ of the Leitelt Iron Works as master mechanic. He was employed by that concern thirty-two years, or until his death in 1894. His widow died in 1908. John Wagner and his wife were the parents of twelve children as follows: Julius, Gustave, Amelia, Albert, Charles, Arthur, Matilda, Caroline, Ida, Edward L., Minnie, and Walter. Edward L. Wagner attended the public schools of the city of his birth and studied for the position of clerk. With the conclusion of his educational career, he secured employment as a clerk in a grocery store, continuing in that work until the opening of the war with Spain. Answering the president's call for volunteers, he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served with that organization until the cessation of the hostilities. He returned to Grand Rapids after his discharge from the army, and there engaged in the grocery business, which he continued until 1915, when he accepted a position as deputy clerk of the Kent circuit court, filling that position until the clerk was appointed postmaster, and in July, 1923, he was appointed to fill the office of clerk of the court until the end of the unexpired term. His work was so noteworthy that at the primary election, September 9, 1924, he was chosen the Republican nominee for election to the office of clerk of the Kent circuit court, to which he was elected by a large majority. Such has been his record and so large is his following that he feels virtually certain of being returned to the office when the matter goes before the people in November, 1926. In 1908 he married Fern Smith daughter of Inman and Edith Smith, of Rockford, Michigan, and to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have been born two children, Velma, born September 21, 1909, and Leo, born October 6, 1915.

Transcriber:  Gloria Paas
Created: 17 April 2003