Aloys Bilz, a prominent citizen of Ottawa County, Mich., now prosperously handling real estate, insurance and merchandise in Spring Lake, is a successful business man, and has for twenty-seven years been identified with the various leading enterprises of his present locality. Mr. Bilz is a native of Germany. His parents, Joseph and Margaret (Haberkorn) Bilz, were both born in Bavaria, and were reared, educated and attained to adult age in the home of their youth. Their family of three sons and seven daughters received all the advantages they could give them, both in the common schools and higher educational institutions, and grew up energetic, industrious and ambitious. When the three eldest arrived at mature years they decided to try their fortunes in the land of promise beyond the sea, and together emigrated to America. The reports they sent back to their old home and parents were so encouraging that in the year 1849 the father, mother and seven remaining children embarked for the United States. Safely reaching Quebec, they soon located in Buffalo, N. Y., where the parents reared and educated the younger members of the family. Here the mother died in the fall of 1866, and the father in the spring of 1867, and the eldest son, Christopher J. Bilz, prominent business man of the city of Buffalo, soon followed them to the grave. The next son, Frank, well known in Detroit and throughout Michigan, died in the city of Ionia, Mich., August 20, 1889. One daughter is deceased, one resides in Philadelphia, Pa., and five with their families still live in the city of Buffalo.

Our subject was born July 2, 1841, attended a private school in Buffalo, and St. Vincent’s College in Westmoreland County, Pa., and at the age of thirteen learned the trade of a tinner in New Hamburg, Ontario, and thus fitted himself for a future of self-reliant effort. In the year 1853 he settled in Michigan, at first making his home in Detroit, where he entered into business, finding ready employment at his trade. After a time he removed to New Baltimore, Macomb County, and in the year 1864 was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Thompson, daughter of Rev. O. C. Thompson, of Detroit, Mich. In 1866, our subject came to Spring Lake and engaged in the hardware and furniture business, rapidly extending the territory of his trade, one of the best in this section of the country. Soon after, becoming interested in the real estate of his locality, Mr. Bilz achieved gratifying results in handling large amounts of land, and, possessed of unusual executive ability; has rapidly made his upward way. IN 1871, a disastrous fire destroyed most of his property, but with tireless energy, hope and determination he set himself resolutely to regaining lost ground. Among the enterprises in whose promotion Mr. Bilz has taken an active part was the founding and conducting of the Spring Lake Republican, a bright, newsy paper, and for a number of years he was the proprietor of the Forest City Press, at Forest City, S. Dakota.

In 1861 the name of Aloys Bilz was enrolled in the only regiment of lancers organized in the State, but, the regiment being disbanded, our subject saw none but recruiting service. Mr. And Mrs. Bilz have been blessed by the birth of seven children: Fannie G., Margaret J., Bessie E., Mamie E., Alice A., William A., and one son deceased. Mrs. Bilz and all her children are members of the Presbyterian Church and are active in the good work and benevolent enterprises of that denomination. Mr. Bilz is a staunch Republican, and has held with efficiency for many years the responsible position of Supervisor. He was elected Register of Deeds of his county, and, occupying the office for one term, gave great satisfaction to all with whom he transacted the business of his department.

Our subject was for four years the popular President of Spring Lake, and as a member of the Board of Education gave excellent service in behalf of educational advancement. As an insurance agent Mr. Bilz represented the following well-known companies; the Phoenix, of Hartford; the Continental, of New York; and the Fireman’s Fund of San Francisco; and with his other business he also combined the local agency of the American Express Company. He has for twenty-six years been a Trustees of the Presbyterian Church, and, leading a useful and busy life, yet finds time to engage with a liberal spirit in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the general public.