PETER A. DEWITT Peter A. Dewitt, the enterprising manager and principal stockholder of the Spring Lake Basket Manufactory, of Spring Lake, Ottawa County, Mich., is widely known and highly respected as a man of more than ordinary business ability and energy. Born in the village of Spring Lake, in the year 1861, our subject has been from his earliest youth intimately associated with the upward growth and progress of his home locality. His parents, numbered among the pioneer residents and prominent citizens of this part of the State, possessed the sincere regard of a large circle of friends, and took a part in the early struggles and subsequent development of the interests of their Western home. Mr. Dewitt received his education mainly in the district school of his birthplace, and also enjoyed the advantages of instruction in the drug business, being in time thoroughly qualified to engage in the trade successfully. He became, in fact, while yet young in years a thoroughly practical druggist, and entered into business for himself with profitable results. He continued to handle drugs until 1891, and retained an interest in the same until 1892, when he sold out and gave his entire time and attention to the manufacture of fruit baskets. The Spring Lake Basket Manufactory has done business from its first establishment, now supplying a number of counties of the State with its goods, and under its present able supervisor cannot fail to continue a financial success. In the year 1883, Peter A. Dewitt and Miss Anna Stark were united in marriage. The estimable wife of our subject, daughter of B. Stark, one of the honored pioneer settlers of Ottawa County, like her husband has grown up among her present surroundings. Also educated in the home schools of Spring Lake, she was well fitted to assume the responsibilities of married life when she joined her fortunes with those of our subject, to whom she has been a faithful helpmate and companion. Two bright little sons, Leslie and Stewart, have blessed the happy home and will enjoy the advantages of an excellent education and a training which will enable them to worthily occupy any position of trust to which they may be called. Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt fill a position of useful influence and take an active part in the good work and benevolent enterprises of Spring Lake and its near vicinity. Politically, our subject is a stanch Democrat, and since attaining his majority has been deeply interested in both local and national issues. Pronounced in his views and possessed of executive ability, Mr. Dewitt has taken a leading position in the local councils of his party, and held with efficiency and to the great satisfaction of the entire community of Spring Lake the position of Postmaster during the first administration of President Cleveland. In all matters of interest to the general public of his locality our subject is accounted a public-spirited citizen, ever ready to do his part in the promotion of enterprise and educational advancement. Passing his mature years among the friends of a lifetime, Mr. Dewitt receives the confidence of all who know him, and is esteemed for his sterling integrity of character and thorough business efficiency.

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

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 6 May 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index