Portrait and Biographical Record, Pgs. 282, 283 WALTER I. LILLIE, one of the promising young attorneysof Grand Haven, is a man possessed of superior mental endowments, strengthenedand enriched by the highest culture. His mind is clear, concise, analytical andwell poised and he impresses one at once as a man of great strength, depth andgrasp of mind. The most abstruse and complicated subjects are handled with easeand grace, and made perceptible and plain to the most ordinary understanding. Heis of a socal, genial disposition and has a large share of those traits ofcharacter that go to make up a popular citizen. His professional career has beena success and he is regarded as one of the leading young attorneys of the city.He is a native of this county, born in Tallmadge Township October 9, 1855, andthe people have had every opportunity to judge of his character andqualifications, for he has resided here the principal part of his life. Joel B. and Sarah (Augur) Lillie, the parents of our subject,were natives of the State of New York, where the father followed agriculturalpursuits for a livelihood. The grandfather, Cyrus Lillie, was of Scotch descent,and the Augur family was of Scotch-Danish origin. In 1845 the father of oursubject became convinced he could better his condition by a change of location,and he made his way to Michigan and located in Ottawa County. He sill resides inthis county and makes his home at Coopersville, where he is highly esteemed. Hiscareer presents an example of industry, perseverance and good management,rewarded by substantial results, well worthy the imitation of all. His children,five in number, two sons and three daughters, were in the order of their birthsas follows: Edith, wife of J. W. Park; Walter I., Colon C.; Emma E., who nowresides in Los Angeles, Cal.; and Anna M., wife of William E. Baxter, who alsoresides in Los Angeles, Cal. Walter I. Lillie, the second in order of birth of the above-mentionedchildren, grew to manhood on his father’s farm and received his primaryeducation in the district schools. When twenty-one years of age he entered theAgricultural College at Lansing, Mich., and was actively engaged in his studiesin that institution for four years. From there he came to Grand Haven and readlaw with George A. Farr, being admitted to the Bar at Grand Haven in November,1884. The following winter he taught school, and during that time pursued hislegal studies, afterwards entering the office of Mr. Farr, where he remained twoyears. In the fall of 1886 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Ottawa Countyon the Republican ticket, and served in that capacity two years. So great washis popularity, and so ably did he discharge the duties of that position,however, that he was re-elected in 1888. He has held other prominent positions,and in his public career he has been useful and influential. On the 28th of September, 1886, Mr. Lillie was married to MissElla McGrath, of Denison, this county, and the daughter of Michael McGrath.Three children have been born to this union: Harold I., Leo C. and Walter Ivan.In politics Mr. Lillie is a Republican and is deeply interested in county, Stateand national politics. He is at present City Attorney and is a member of theJudicial Committee.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & OttawaCounties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company Pg. 282,283

Transcriber: Susan G. Davis
Created: 6 January 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index