HON. DWIGHT CUTLER Hon. Dwight Cutler. Every man in the United States, by birth or its equivalent, shares or is a share-owner in the glorious privileges of our Government to forge through the ranks of the many, and become one of the few. A man who possesses the ability to do this, who by years of patient toil and unswerving loyalty to truth and integrity forces his way through the multitudes of others equally as ambitious and determined, and wrests from the world a meed of victory, does not need a piece of academic parchment, learnedly inscribed, to make his life valuable to the community in which he lives, for by his sterling methods and his high moral purpose he has become a leading factor in the conservationism of the good government of his community and a valuable example to those whose efforts in human progress have just begun. Such a man is Hon. Dwight Cutler, President of the First National Bank of Grand Haven, and one of the most prominent business men of that thriving city. Mr. Cutler is a product of the old Bay State, born in Amherst, November 14, 1830, and is the son of Dr. Isaac G. and Nancy (Hastings) Cutler. Great-grandfather Cutler was a native of Wales, but came to America at an early date, and his grandson was one of the first settlers of Amherst, Mass., where he and his wife passed the remainder of their days. Dr. Cutler was one of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of his day, and his extensive practice continued until his death, in 1834, when our subject was but four years of age. Mrs. Cutler’s father was one of the first settlers of Amherst, Mass., and was a man of considerable prominence. The original of this notice received his scholastic training in Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass., and took a special course of instruction. When about eighteen years of age he made his way to Grand Haven, Mich., and entered the employment of Gilbert & Co., forwarding the commission merchants, continuing with that company for three years and meeting with unusual success. During that period he purchased a number of vessels, both sail and steam, that were used in connection with his business. In 1860 Mr. Cutler commenced the lumber manufacturing business with Hunter Savage, of Spring Lake, a village two miles distant from New Haven, and bought a sawmill known as the old Hopkins Mill, Since then Mr. Cutler and his partner have bought one mill, built another, and formed a stock company with a paid capital of $500,000. This is the largest lumber manufacturing firm in western Michigan. They handle upwards of one hundred million feet of lumber in one season, but average about forty million annually. This firm had large wholesale lumber yards in Michigan City, Indianapolis, and South Bend., Ind., and in Detroit, Mich., and they ship their lumber to almost all parts of the United States, while their mills and lumber interests give employment to over five hundred men most of the year. They own extensive tracts of pine land tributary to Grand River. In 1872 Mr. Cutler erected the largest and finest hotel building in the State of Michigan. It stands on Washington Street, in Grand Haven, is an ornament to the city, and is known abroad as a Grand Haven summer resort. It was named for himself being called the Cutler House, and cost, including furniture etc., $200,000. The architecture of the building is most beautiful, defying criticism; and the inner appointments are excellent. The same year Mr. Cutler, with others, organized the First National Bank of that City, and held his connection with the same for twenty years. The charter expiring, he helped to organize the National Bank of Grand Haven and was made President, which position he has held since. This is one of the solid institutions of the State of Michigan and is located in the Cutler Block. During 1870 and 1871 Mr. Cutler held the office of Mayor of Grand Haven and discharged the duties of that important position in the most efficient manner. He has filled the office of School Trustee for nearly twenty years, but has never aspired, however, to the honors of public position, having declined to accept any of the State or national offices his friends proffered him. In politics, our subject is independent, voting for the man, irrespective of party, and his religious views are embodied in the faith of the Unitarian Church, of which he is a worthy member. He is public-spirited in the highest degree and takes a deep interest in national, State and county affairs, and every effort tending to the enhancement of the public welfare has his unqualified support. He is now sixty-three years of age, in the full enjoyment of health, and has been a resident of Grand Haven many years, during which time he has identified himself with every worthy enterprise, his brilliant mental qualities fitting him in an admirable manner to lead whenever he so desired. Mr. Cutler was married on the 10th of February, 1858, to Miss Frances E. Slayton, of Stowe, VT., and five children have been given them: Millicent S.; Esther P., wife of John N. Bagley, of Detroit, Mich.; Dwight, Frances and Mary. During his first year in Michigan Mr. Cutler received $50 and his board, but his splendid business acumen brought him to the front, and he is now one of the prominent capitalists and representative business men of the State.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company 

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 16 May 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index