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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 160 - 161 |
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GEORGE D. WESTOVER
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Upon the industrial activity of a community depends in a large measure the prosperity of the people and the men recognized as the directors of progress are those who have in hand the management and control of important public enterprises. The gentleman whose name furnishes the caption of this re1view is entitled to distinction as one of the leading spirits in the material growth of Cadillac, having been identified with the city's advancement in various capacities, being at the present time superintendent of the water and electric light plant, in the establishment and construction of which he was also an active and influential factor. George D. Westover is a native of Michigan, born in the town of Nunica, Ottawa county, on the 26th day of April, 1865. His father, the late Charles D. Westover, was for many years a prominent business man of this state and at the time of his death, March 27, 1887, was the leading lumber dealer of Cadillac, also one of the city's most enterprising and public-spirited citizens. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Ruth Lowe; she was born in Michigan, bore her husband four children and departed this life at Fruitport, Muskegon county, February 20, 1900. George D. Westover, the youngest child of the above parents, spent his childhood and youth in his native county and received his educational training in the public schools, his mind early taking bent towards the more practical affairs of life. While a mere lad he became familiar with the underlying principles of business and shortly after the family's removal to Cadillac, in 1881, he engaged in lumbering as his father's partner, the relationship continuing about three years. At the expiration of that time he accepted a position with the Waterhouse Electric Company of Hartford Connecticut, subsequently absorbed by the Westinghouse Company, where he soon acquired efficiency as an electrical engineer, and it was while thus engaged that he superintended the construction of the first electric light plant at Cadillac. After installing the works in this city, Mr. Westover, as constructing engineer for the Westinghouse Company, then entered the employ of the Edison Light Company, of Grand Rapids, and while there rose to an important position, continually adding to his already wellestablished reputation as a skillful electrician and able mechanical engineer. Severing his connection with the above company, he became interested in electric railroad construction and in 1890 built the first electric railway line in the city of Grand Rapids, which enterprise brought his name prominently before the public throughout the state. After completing the work, he continued about one year in the capacity of erecting engineer, at the end of which time he again accepted a position with the Edison Company, remaining with the same until 1893, when he resigned for the purpose of taking charge, as manager of the city water works and the Cummer Electric Light Company of Cadillac. As superintendent of these important public enterprises Mr. Westover displays abilities of a high order, both mechanical and executive, and his functions have been discharged in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to the people of the city. An accomplished electrician and thoroughly familiar with every detail of mechanical engineering, his manifold duties are so systematically arranged as to cause him no inconvenience, while as custodian of one of the leading interests of the city, his record has been honorable and upright, never swerving from the strict path of rectitude, but always proving able to discharge worthily the responsibilities resting upon him as chief factor in a station demanding the highest order of business talent. He has labored earnestly to promote the efficiency, of the work in hand, subordinating every other consideration to this one object, and it is conceded that the continued success of both enterprises is directly attributable to his energy and systematic business methods. Aside from his connection with Cadillac's public works, Mr. Westover has been an influential factor in its general business and industrial interests, every enterprise calculated to advance the city, materially or otherwise, receiving his hearty co-operation and support. He is unwavering in his advocacy of what he believes to be for the public good, upholds his honest convictions at the sacrifice of every other interest, and is ever ready to lend his influence and, if need be, his financial assistance to further all movements having for their object the social and moral improvement of the community. As a citizen he is deservedly popular with the people of his adopted city, standing high in the esteem of all classes and conditions and to the poor and needy he is ever ready to lend a helping hand, charity and benevolence being among his most marked characteristics. Mr. Westover is in the prime of vigorous physical and mental manhood, a "hustler" in all the term implies, and the series of continued successes that have attended his career thus far bespeak a still wider and more promising field of endeavor in years to come. Politically he gives his support to the Democratic party, but the wiles and chicanery of the professional partisan meet no favor at his hands and he is by no means an aspirant for public distinction or a seeker after the honors or emoluments of office. While earnest in the support of his principles and always ready to assign an intelligent reason for his opinions, he is, first of all, a man of business, making everything else secondary to his public obligations. Mr. Westover is a married man and has a beautiful home, which was resided over with grace and dignity by an intelligent and refined lady to whom he was united in the bonds of wedlock on the 5th day of April, 1893. Mrs. Westover was formerly Miss Eugenia E. Camp, daughter of John Camp, of Grand Rapids, in which city she was reared and educated. This union, a most fortunate and happy one, was blessed with one child, a daughter by the name of Marion E., in whom are centered many fond hopes for the future. Mrs. Westover passed from this earth on December 24, 1902, and was interred in Oak Hill cemetery, Grand Rapids. In closing this brief sketch of one of Cadillac's most energetic and progressive young men of affairs, suffice it to state in brief that Mr. Westover's duties as a citizen have been discharged with the same fidelity that has characterized his career as a public servant; he is a valuable member of the body politic and his main object has always been to shape his life and conduct according to the highest standing of excellence. He entertains noble aims and high ideals and the consensus of opinion is that he stands before the world a model of the successful business man and a true type of the courteous, broadminded gentleman. |