Major C. E. Storrs, proprietor of Storrs’ Vineyard and a prominent citizenof North Muskegon, was born in West Marnett Township, Essex County, N.Y., on the3^rd of September, 1833. He is an honored representative of apatriotic family that has furnished many valiant soldiers to our country in timeof need. His father, Elijah Storrs, a native of Middletown, Conn., served withcourage and efficiency during the War of 1812, and from the rank of FirstLieutenant was promoted to be Captain as a reward for meritorious conduct. In 1834 he removed as far West at Summit County, Ohio, where he located on a farmin Northfield Township. Thence, in 1864, he came to Michigan and settled in GrandHaven, where he died at the age of eighty-five.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph Storrs, was a native ofConnecticut and served in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary War. He wasof Welsh descent. The mother of our subject was Julia, daughter of Mr. Holcomb,who served with the famous Green Mountain boys during the War of the Revolution.She was born and reared in Vermont, and after a happy wedded life of fifty-nineyears passed to her final rest, at the age of four-score and two years. TheHolcomb family originated in England.

Elijah Storrs and his good wife were the parents of ten children, seven ofwhom attained to mature years, viz: Clark N., a resident of North Muskegon;Wales F., deceased; Harriet W., the wife of C. H. Dunbar, of Brecksville, Ohio;Carlton L., of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Eliza A., other widow of Charles Reynolds,and a resident of Sturgeon Bay., Wis.; Maria L., the wife of James H. Coates, ofBrecksville, Ohio; and C. E., the subject of this biographical notice. Thelat-named is the youngest surviving member of the family. At the time hisparents removed to Summit County, Ohio, he was about six months old, and hisboyhood years were passed upon his father’s farm.

September 24, 1854, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Maria VanNoate, a native of Independence, Ohio, and immediately after their marriage theyoung couple came to Michigan and settled in Grand Rapids, where they spent thewinter of 1854-1855. Removing from that city to Clinton County, Ohio, theyresided there until 1858, when they returned to Michigan and located in BlendonTownship, Ottawa County. For two years Mr. Storrs was engaged in the milland lumber business in Ottawa County, and in the spring of 1861 he purchased aone-half interest in a sawmill there.

Shortly after the commencement of the Civil War, Mr. Storrs enlisted inCompany B, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, and in 1862 went to the front in the capacityof Department Second Lieutenant. In March, 1863, he was promoted to be SecondLieutenant, and on the 17^th of July, 1863, was commissioned Captain.He continued in that rank until he was promoted to be Major, on the 6^thof June, 1865, and was serving in that position at the time of his discharge. Heparticipated actively in many engagements and at Nubias Cross Roads, July 24,1863, was wounded in the left shoulder by a minie-ball. He was honorablydischarged at Leavenworth, Kan., October 10, 1865, and upon being mustered outof the service returned to his home in Ottawa County.

Resuming his lumbering and milling business, which he had temporarilydiscontinued, Maj. Storrs was thus engaged until 1876, when he disposed of hisinterests in Ottawa County and removed to Eaton Township, Mason County, thisState. There for a number of years he made his home on a farm. In 1882 he cameto North Muskegon in the capacity of book-keeper for the C. N. Storrs LumberCompany, a position which he filled acceptably. In 1886 he purchased thePrinceton Fruit Farm, the name of which he changed to Storrs’ Vineyard. Thisfine farm is devoted to the raising of fruits, a business in which the Major isparticularly well informed. Twenty acres are planted in a vineyard, while fiftyacres are devoted to small fruits. From the vineyard are gathered an average offorty-five tons of grapes each season, and the grapes for flavor and quality areunsurpassed, if equaled, in the State.

The Major and his wife have a family of three children: Alice J., wife ofLeroy A. Franklin, of Grand Rapids; Frank, who aids in the cultivation of thefruit farm; and Maggie, wife of Elliott D. Prescott, a resident of Ravenna,Mich. Major Storrs cast his first ballot in Ohio in 1854, and has been aRepublican ever since the inception of that party. In 1875 he represented BlendonTownship on the Board of Supervisors of Ottawa County, and he also served asTownship Clerk and Highway Commissioner while residing there. In EatonTownship, Mason County, he served as Supervisor during the years 1877-79-80-81,and was a member of the Board of School Examiners of Mason County. He served asSupervisor of the township of Laketon, Muskegon County, in 1882 and 1887, andfor one year filled the position of Assessor of North Muskegon. He also servedas Alderman of North Muskegon for one year. Socially, he is identified with AmosE. ----de Post No. 280, G. A. R., at North Muskegon, and has frequently servedas Commander of the post. In addition to local duties, he has been Inspector ofthe Department of Michigan of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is Food andDairy Commissioner of the State.