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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 139 - 140 |
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NELSON R. TORREY
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The life history of him whose name heads this sketch is
closely identified with the recent history of the city of Cadillac, Wexford
county, Michigan. His life has been one of untiring activity, and has been
crowned with a degree of success attained by those only who devote themselves
indefatigably to the work before them. Nelson R. Torrey, junior member of the firm of Torrey Brothers, dealers in marble and granite, at Cadillac, Wexford county, Michigan, is well known among the young business men of that city. He is a native of this state, having been born at Fowlerville, Livingston county, on the 28th of August, 1870, and is the second in order of birth of the five children born to George S. and Abbie D. (Smock) Torrey. The parents resided for some time at Fowlerville, but about 1871 located at Evart, Osceola county, Michigan, from wence, in 1893, they removed to Cadillac, where they have since resided. Their children were as follows: John S., Nelson R., Harold, who died at the age of three, Renie M., Neil B., and Eugenia. Nelson R. Torrey was about a year old when his parents removed to Evart and there he grew to manhood and was educated. He pursued his studies in the public schools of that place and acquired a good education, which he has since supplemented by wide reading and close observation of men and events. At the age of fourteen years he entered upon life's practical duties by engaging as a clerk in a grocery store at Evart, in which he vas employed for four years and then was with another grocery firm for the same length of time. Then going to Meredith., this state, he was employed in a general store there for about six months, but in March, 1893, he came to Cadillac and was employed as a traveling salesman or general agent for monumental work until 1898. In that year he removed to Charlevoix, Charlevoix county, Michigan, where for a year he was engaged in the same line of business on his own account. Returning to Cadillac, he then purchased the interest of his father in the marble works and since then has been in partnership with his brother, John S. Torrey, under the firm style of Torrey Brothers. They are both men of undoubted ability and sound judgment in business matters and by reason of their technical knowledge have been able to cater to the most fastidious tastes or requirements in any line of their business. They do not confine their operations solely to monumental work, but also have a large trade in prepared building stone, plain or ornamental, and in copings of various styles. The business has been carried on with very satisfactory results ever since the firm was organized and is still the only establishment of the kind in this city. Mr. Torrey is a gentleman of varied attainments, highly esteemed by the people of his town and nothing in the way of adverse criticism has ever been made against his integrity or personal honor. He has pursued the even tenor of his way, quietly and unobtrusively discharging the duties of citizenship as becomes a loyal American and doing all within his power to advance the material or moral welfare of the community. On the 2d of February, 1898, Mr. Torrey was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Jessie F. Bloss, a native of Detroit, Michigan, and a daughter of D. M. and Carrie E. Bloss. Mr. and Mrs. Torrey are active members of the Congregational church and take an active and earnest interest in the welfare of the congregation with which they are identified. Fraternally Mr. Torrey is a member of Cadillac Tent No. 232, Knights of the Maccabees, and Cadillac Lodge No. 181, Ancient Order of United Workmen, in both of which he occupies a high standing and the beneficent principles of which he exemplifies in his daily life. |