JOHN C. POMEROY

Portrait And Biographical Record Of Northern Michigan
Containing Portraits And Biographical Sketches Of Prominent
And Representative Citizens
Chicago Record Publishing Co., 1895

The record of the life of this influential business man of Manistee is as follows: He was born in St. Joseph de Beauce, Canada, July 14, 1843, and is the son of Michael and Amelia (Paggeot) Pomeroy. In 1849 he came to the United States with his parents, and spent the years of his youth in Bangor and Old Town, Me., where he learned the logging trade and the milling business. When less than twenty years of age he enlisted as a soldier in the Union army, in 1862, and was drilled for one and one half months in Bangor; but his parents opposed his patriotic project so strenuously that he never went to the front. Soon after the war he came West to visit his uncle, Charles Paggeot, of Manistee, who was engaged in sawmilling at Stronach, at the head of Lake Manistee.

Under this uncle our subject engaged in logging, getting out logs by the thousand, cutting and hauling them to the river. being familiar with the operation of a lathmill, he bought out the one owned by his uncle, investing about $700 in the concern. Shortly afterward he was joined by his brother, Joseph O., with whom he operated the lathmill for three years. He then purchased the lots in Manistee where his office now stands. Upon this site he started a grocery, but continued to operate his lathmill until his uncle had disposed of his interests there. His brother became associated with him in the grocery business, and they continued together, building up an extensive trade, until they lost everything in the disastrous fire of 1871, which occurred six hours after the destruction of Chicago.

Without allowing himself to become discouraged by his misfortune, Mr. Pomeroy soon resumed business, turning his attention to the manufacture of soda-water, in which line he has since engaged. He manufactures soft drinks of every kind, and has established an extensive trade and a renumerative business. In 1880 he bought the mill plane known as the Califf Planing-mill, to which he soon added a sawmill. The mill is situated opposite his office on River Street, and has a capacity of five million feet annually. Employment is given to about sixty-five men in the season. Logs are bought in large quantities and an extensive logging business conducted.

In addition to his other interests, Mr. Pomeroy holds a half-interest in the firm of Paul Pomeroy & Co., manufacturers of soda-water at Ludington. He is the sole bottler of the Frankfort mineral water, which is regarded as among the best water in the United States, its properties being similar to those of the famous Mt. Clemens mineral water. In the incorporation of the Manistee National Bank he was an important factor, and is now a Director, devoting some attention to its affairs.

Mr. Pomeroy has served for eight years as Alderman, to which office he was elected upon the Democratic ticket. He has favored all public improvements, especially the opening of streets leading into South River Street, and the building of the new bridge on Smith Street. His labors in behalf of the welfare of the people are appreciated by his fellow-citizens, who have the highest confidence in his ability and efficiency. September 26, 1867, he married Miss Louisa Luscher, of Milwaukee, and they are the parents of nine children: Amelia, William C., Lizzie, Susan (who died in childhood), Clara, Agnes, Emma, Eddie and Lucille. He and his family hold membership in the Guardian Angels' Catholic Church. They occupy a tastily furnished home at No. 344 First Street in addition to which Mr. Pomeroy owns some valuable real estate in Cadillac and several pieces of fine property in Manistee.