Charles E. Wyman Page 161 - CHARLES E. WYMAN. The philosophy of success in lifeis an interesting study and affords a lesson from which many can profit. Inchoosing a pursuite in life, taste, mental gifts and opportunity should beconsidered, as any young man who has a disposition to become a respectable anduseful citizen desires to succeed therein. In his chosen occupation as a lumbermanufacturer, Mr. Wyman has reached the top round of the ladder of success, andis to-day classed among the substantial and representative business men of GrandHaven. The people of Ottawa County are familiar with his name, for he hasresided among them for many years and has earnestly identified himself withevery worthy enterprise which has for its object the upbuilding of the city. Like many of the foremost business men of Grand Haven, Mr.Wyman is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Essex County in thetown of Schroon, February 10, 1826. He is a son of John and Abigail (Potter)Wyman, the former a native of Essex County, N.Y., born in 1806, and the latterof Pawlet, Vt. Mrs. Wyman’s father, Thomas Potter, was of English descent, hisfather having been born in New London, England. Charles E. Wyman is the youngestof eleven children, six sons and five daughters, five of whom survive at thepresent time. He received his early educational training in the district schooland later entered a seminary at Chester, N.Y. After leaving the schoolroom Mr. Wyman became interested inthe manufacture of iron in Elizabethtown, Essex County, but at the end of twoyears he sold out. Later he engaged for a short time as engineer on a lakesteamboat. In selecting his companion in life he chose Miss Harriet Reynolds, aresident of Northfield, Ohio, and a daughter of Cyrus Reynolds. After hismarriage he followed agricultural pursuits for five years in Summit County,Ohio. From there he came to Michigan, and, settling in Blendon Township, OttawaCounty, built a sawmill. This he conducted successfully for four years, when themill was burned. He then began operating a mill at Georgetown and madeconsiderable money in the enterprise, but two years later disposed of thebusiness and returned to the Buckeye State. In 1865 Mr. Wyman returned to Grand Haven and operated a millat the mouth of Grand River for four years, when it was destroyed by fire. Hethen erected a new mill a mile up the river and engaged in the manufacture oflumber in company with H.W. Buswell, under the firm name of Wyman & Buswell,the connection continuing for ten years, when Mr. Wyman sold his interest to hispartner. Following that, he, with others, bought a large tract of pinetimber-land in Mecosta County, under the title of the Chippewa Lumber Company,and they were soon doing an extensive business. Later he bought a farmcomprising five hundred and twenty acres in Ottawa County and has been engagedin farming enterprises ever since. A wide-awake, thorough-going business man, hehas amassed a fortune. He is one of the Directors of the Grand Haven NationalBank and is interested in many enterprises of a paying character. To hismarriage were born four children, as follows: Harvey P., Charles R., George R.and William P., all of whom are active business men.

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

Transcriber: Susan Gates Davis
Created: 22 March 2003
URL: Biographies