CHARLES H. WAGENER, druggist, Big Rapids, was born at Penn Yan, N. Y., Jan. 23, 1835; a son of David and Maria (West) Wagener. His father was a hotel-keeper, and died when he was but two yers old. He attended school until the age of 14, when he procured a situation as clerk in a drug store, and after two years returned to school. He completed his education in three years, and again became a clerk in a drug store in Penn Yan, where he remained seven years. In February, 1864, he went to Austin, Nevada, and bought a drug store of his brother, where he transacted business four years, and then returned to Penn Yan. In February, 1868, he settled in Big Rapids and founded his present business. He handles a full line of drugs and all items common to similar establishments, patent medicines, etc. In April 1869, his store was burned, with a total loss of $3,500. He had secured no insurance. Mr. Wagener is a Freemason, and a member of the Knights of Honor, and is Vice-President and Director of the Northern National Bank. He was married May 7, 1861, in Penn Yan, to Patience M. Hunt, born in Milo, Yates Co., N. Y., Jan. 25, 1838. Josephine M., their eldest child, was born in Penn Yan, May 15, 1862, and Charles S. was born in Big Rapids, March 18, 1879.
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