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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 153 - 154 |
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CHARLES W. DUTTON
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The specific office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest opinion of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of those with whom he has been most intimately associated. In touching upon the career of the subject of this review, the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have entered into the make-up of a useful and honorable life, a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well and who have not been slow to recognize his merits and appreciate his value to the community. Charles W. Dutton, the leading contractor and builder of Cadillac, is a native of Rochester, New York, and the son of Harry B. and Nancy (Flynn) Dutton, both parents born and reared in the Empire state. Harry Dutton was for a number of years quite prominent in railway circles and when a young man assisted in the construction of the New York Central Railroad, in the employ of which he afterwards rose to an important official position, that of assistant superintendent of the middle division. He was thorough in all the details of railroading, stood high in the confidence of his superiors and devoted the greater part of his life to the service, making a record for faithfulness and efficiency of which any man might well feel proud. His home was in Rochester and he died in that city at the age of fifty-two, leaving a widow and four children, the former departing this life at the same place when sixty-two years old. Of the six children constituting the family of Harvey B. and Nancy Dutton, Charles W., of this review, is the youngest. He was born May 26, 1853, and after attending for some years the public schools of his native city and acquiring a good education, entered upon an apprenticeship to learn carpentry and joining, at which he spent four years of faithful service. Possessing mechanical ability of no mean order, he soon became an efficient workman and shortly after completing his apprenticeship he sought a field for the exercise of his skill in the new and sparsely settled country of Northern Michigan, locating at Clam Lake in the summer of 1873. During the two years following his arrival he worked at carpentry for the Harris Brothers and at the expiration of that time returned to New York where he was engaged in railroading until 1877, when he resumed his chosen calling and again came west for the purpose of making Cadillac his future place of abode. Mr. Dutton is a master of his trade and as a builder ranks with the ablest and most scientific mechanics in his adopted state. He has taken many large contracts in Cadillac and elsewhere, most of the beautiful residences, business houses and public edifices of this city having been erected under his supervision, and his skill has frequently been called into requisition on important buildings in other cities and towns. To him as much perhaps as to any one man is the flourishing little city of Cadillac indebted for its growth and prosperity along material lines and through the medium of his vocation he has certainly done more to beautify and lend charm to it as a place of residence and thus advertise its advantages to the world than any other of his compeers. He is still actively engaged in building, with all the work on hand he can possibly do, and not infrequently has he been obliged to refuse large and lucrative contracts by reason of the volume of pressing business demanding his attention. Since coming to Cadillac Mr. Dutton has been prominent in
the affairs of the town and his activity has made him a leader not only in the
matter of material improvement but also in the domain of party politics and
public life. He is an uncompromising Republican and as such was elected city
assessor, in addition to which office he was also supervisor of the second ward
for a number of years, discharging the duties of both positions in an able and
praiseworthy manner that won him the confidence of the people regardless of
political preference. On May 25, 875, in the city of Grand Rapids, Mr. Dutton was united in marriage with Jerlena Crothers, of Phelps, New York, daughter of Samuel and Harriett Crothers, both parents natives of New York state, the father now a farmer of Grand Traverse county, Michigan, living near Fife Lake, the mother having died there in the spring of 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Dutton have one child, a daughter by the name of Dollie who is now the wife of John Terwilliger, of Cadillac. Thus briefly have been set forth the salient facts in the life of one of Cadillac's representative men of affairs. His career and position happily illustrate the fact, that if a young man possesses the proper attributes of mind and heart, with the ability to direct the same in proper channels, he can attain to a position of unmistakable precedence and gain for himself an honored place among the foremost factors in shaping the destinies of cities, communities and states. His life proves that the only true success in this world depends upon personal efforts and consecutive industry in the pursuit of some specific and honorable purpose; it also demonstrates that the road to position is open to all who possess the courage to tread its pathway, besides serving as an incentive to the young of the present generation, teaching by incontrovertible facts that true excellence in any worthy undertaking is ambition's legitimate answer. |