Willis M. Slosson

Willis M. Slosson, member of the business firm of J.M. Reed & Co. at Reed City, was born May 25, 1849, in Newark Valley, Tioga Co., N.Y. Ozias J. Slosson, his father was born in 1805, at Great Barrington, Mass. Associated with James M. Reed and Charles Higbe, he came to Northern Michigan in 1856 and aided in the location of Reed City, the firm consisting of Messrs. Reed, Higbe and Slosson, becoming by purchase the proprietors of more than 4,000 acres of land lying in Osceola and Newaygo Counties. They platted the city, and two of its thoroughfares - Slosson Avenue and Higbe Street - now perpetuate the memory of their names. The senior Slosson retained his citizenship in Tioga Co., N.Y., but aided in the development of this portion of Osceola County, and at the date of his death was still one of the leading property-holders in the county. He died in Newark Valley, Feb. 11, 1862. The demise of his wife, Mrs. Ann F. (Fisher) Slosson, took place Feb. 7, 1872. She was a native of Francistown, N.H. Their family consisted of five children - three sons and two daughters. Mr. Slosson of this sketch is the youngest son. Arthur B., the oldest, is present Deputy Sheriff of Osceola County, and resides at Reed City. Edwin Slosson, second son, is a grain merchant at Sabetha, Kan. Willis M. Slosson was reared to manhood and trained in the business habits of his father, remaining on the homestead at Newark Valley until the age of 22 years, when he went to Kansas, and in partnership with William B. and Samuel Slosson, his cousins, established the business to which his brother Edwin succeeded by an exchange of interests, the younger brother taking his place in the real-estate firm at Reed City, where he engaged un furthering the interests of the business house of which his father was one of the primary members, and which is engaged in the sale of its landed tracts. (The brothers Slosson purchased the claims of their sisters.)Mr. Slosson owns also individual property at Reed City, including a business byulding on Upton Avenue, occupied as a drug store and photograph gallery, a half interest in the lot and building leased as a law office by Messrs. Bellows & Stone, attorneys, and other village property. He is officiating for the second time as President of the village, of whihc he has been Trustee, two years. He is prominent in the Order of Masonry, belonging to the several bodies, - Blud Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter and Commandery. He is also connected with the American Order of United Workmen.His marriage to M. Ella Butler occurred May 20, 1874, in Newark Valley. She was born Nov. 20, 1854, and is the daughter of John and Jane Butler. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Slosson were born as follows: Leonard B., April 13, 1875; Lawrence M., Oct. 25, 1878; and Edna E., April 21, 1880, at Reed City. The two elder children were born at Sabetha, Kan.

The portrait of Mr. Slosson, which is presented on the opposite page, is eminently fitting and appropriate as an accompaniment to his biography, as he represents a name inseparably connected with Reed City from its incipiency.

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