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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 81 - 82 |
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FRED A. DIGGINS
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Fred A. Diggins was born in July, 1862, near Harvard, McHenry county, Illinois, and there spent the years of his childhood and early life, the meanwhile receiving his educational training in the public schools and becoming acquainted with the more practical phases of life under the wholesome discipline of the farm. Mr. Diggins remained in his native state until 1879, at which time he severed home ties and started out to make his own way in the world, going first to Osceola county, Michigan, and locating for a limited time at the town of Hersey. Leaving that place he entered, in 1880, the Grand Rapids Business College, where he pursued his studies two years, after which he accepted the position of bookkeeper with his brother, Delos F. Diggins, with whom he remained until the latter part of 1886. In the fall of that year he came to Cadillac and entered the employ of the private banking firm of Delos A. Blodgett & Company, continuing with the said firm during the ensuing two years, at the expiration of which time he resigned his position for the purpose of engaging in the lumber business, becoming a member of the firm of F. A. Diggins & Company, which was organized at Sunny Side in 1888. The company did a thriving business for several years, but wound up its affairs in 1897, at which time the subject became associated with Joseph Murphy, under the style of Murphy & Diggins. As joint manager of the large and far reaching enterprise with which he is identified, Mr. Diggins displays fine executive ability and, being familiar with every detail of the great lumber industry, he prosecutes his business with the most encouraging financial results. For a number of years Mr. Diggins has been an ardent Republican, having long been interested in district, state and national issues, and he has represented the people of Cadillac as a delegate to many different nominating conventions. In 1892 he was chosen a delegate to the national Republican convention at Minneapolis, which nominated Benjamin Harrison for the presidency and in the spring of the same year was honored by being elected mayor of Cadillac, entering the office before attaining the age of thirty. As the city's chief executive Mr. Diggins proved satisfactory to the people irrespective of party and so ably and impartially did he discharge his official duties that he was re-elected his own successor the following year. At the expiration of his second term he retired from the office with the good will of the people, but after the lapse of two years he was again put forward, defeating his opponent and entering the office with a greatly increased majority. By successive re-elections he was retained as mayor during the ensuing four years, filling the position six years in all, his record during that time fully justifying the people in the wisdom of their choice. He retired from the mayoralty in 1900, since which date he has devoted his attention exclusively to his large and growing business. Mr. Diggins is one of the most pleasant and congenial of men, the very embodiment of good fellowship, and is in every respect a representative business man and reputable citizen. Mr. Diggins' domestic life dates from 1890, in which year he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Cummer, whose father, Jacob Cummer, is one of the leading citizens of Cadillac. Mr. and Mrs. Diggins have a pleasant home, and are very fortunate in their social relations, moving in the best society circles of the city. They have been influential in promoting charitable enterprises and being active in good works for the benefit of their kind, their lives have indeed been a blessing to the country. |