It is generally considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation and that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praise of the historian or the cheers and the appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is great in all things and very few are great in many things. Many by a lucky stroke achieve lasting fame, who before that had no reputation beyond the limits of their immediate neighborhoods. It is not a history of the lucky stroke which benefits humanity most, but the long study and effort which made the lucky stroke possible. It is the preliminary work, the method, that serves as a guide for the success of others. Among those in this county who have achieved success along steady lines of action is the subject of this brief review, Charles J. Bechtel, of Manton, Wexford county.

Mr. Bechtel was born in Dumfries, Ontario, Canada, July 8, 1858, and is the son of Ephraim and Caroline (Schumacher) Bechtel. Hiis father was also a native of Canada, and is a carpenter by trade, while his mother is a native of Germany. The parents came to Missaukee county, Michigan, in 1872, and settled in Caldwell township, where they still reside. They reared a family of eight children, of whom the subject is the eldest. Charles Bechtel was but two years old when brought to the United States by his parents, who at first located in Kent county, Michigan, and later accompanied them to their new hom in Missaukee county. He was given the benefit of a fair common school education and remained under the parental roof until he was twentytwo years old. He then engaged in the lumber business on his own account in Missaukee county, an occupation which he has followed ever since in conjunction with farming. At the time of his marriage, in 1891, Mr. Bechtel removed to Manton and has here since resided. He is the owner of several hundred acres of good land, of which he cultivates about two hundred and fifty acres, most of which is in Missaukee county. He is a careful and progressive husbandman, thoroughly up-to-date in his methods and has made a distinctive success of his vocation. His beautiful farm bears the marks of thorough cultivation and careful management and for a number of years he has ranked with the successful agriculturists of his section of the county.

On the 26th of June, 1891, Mr. Bechtel was united in marriage with Miss Etta Stewart, the ceremony being performed at Bellaire, Michigan. Mrs. Bechtel was born at South Huron, Michigan, on the 30th of November, 1875, and is the daughter of James and Susan (Stuart) Stewart. The subject is a pronounced Republican in politics and takes a keen interest in the trend of passing events, especially as relating to the best interests of his country and immediate neighborhood. For seven years he served as treasurer of Caldwell and Bloomfield townships in Missaukee county, and since residing in Manton he has served as a member of the village council for four years. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, holding membership in Cedar Creek Lodge No. 147, and he is also a member of Tent No. 220, Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Bechtel has attained to an enviable standing among the foremost men of Cedar Creek township. Strong determination,persistence in the pursuit of an honorable purpose, unflagging energy and keen discrimination - these are the salient features in his career and his life stands in unmistakable evidence that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is the outcome of earnest and well-directed effort.