Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Portrait and Biographical Record of Northern Michigan Record Pub. Co., Chicago; 1895 [157-158] CHARLES G. WILSON, superintendent of the BUCKLEY & DOUGLAS Com- pany's mill at Manistee, was born in La Colle, province of Quebec, Canada, February 19, 1851. He is the son of GEORGE and FANNIE (PEARSON) WILSON, natives of England, who emigrated to America and were married in Canada. They removed to Ontario when CHARLES G. was two years old, and he grew to manhood upon a farm in Upper Canada. Many years afterward his parents came to Manistee, where his mother still resides, and where his father died in 1884. At the age of seventeen Mr. WILSON went to Waukesha, Wis., where he made his home with an uncle and attended the public schools for two years. On his return to Canada he assisted his father, who was pro- prietor of a large sawmill and flouring-mill. During the six years of his connection with the enterprise he became familiar with every detail of the work, and gained a thorough knowledge of the milling business. The business, however, became involved, and after six years the company failed. He then opened a small country store, where, in addition to the sale of general merchandise, he also had the postoffice. After two years he sold out and came to Manistee, where his brother ALBERT was in the employ of the BUCKLEY & DOUGLAS Company. The first winter of his residence in this locality, our subject spent in a lumber camp, after which he assisted his brother in locating land through the Upper Peninsula for the Portage Lake & Sault Canal Company, spending one year in that work. The company had taken the land from the Government for building the canal, and was exempt from taxes for ten years; when that time had expired the good land was selected and the remainder returned to the Government, rather than pay taxes upon it. The work of looking up and selecting the land, while diligently prosecuted, required a year's time for its completion, and meanwhile the brothers experienced all the hardships of frontier life, keeping constantly in the woods of the Upper Peninsula and camping out at night. When this work was finished our subject returned to Canada, and brought his parents back with him to Manistee. Then began his con- nection with EDWARD BUCKLEY as a scaler, which work kept him constantly traveling from camp to camp. Later he became foreman in the STOKEY Mill, whre Mr. BUCKLEY'S timber was cut. After one year he was trans- ferred to the mill of the DAVIS & BLACKER Company, where was cut the timber of the newly organized firm of BUCKLEY & DOUGLAS. He continued there as superintendent for six years. When the mill at Manistee was purchased in 1886, he became the superintendent, and to the duties of this position he gave his attention ever since. The mill has a capa- city of one hundred and twenty-five thousand feet in ten hours, and furnishes employment to three hundred and twenty-five hands. It has been in operation night and day since it was started seven years ago. On the 13th of July, 1887, Mr. WILSON married Miss ANNIE J. SINCLAIR, a native of Canada, and for six years a teacher in the city schools of Manistee. She is a member of the Congregational Church, and a lady of estimable character, well educated and amiable. Three sons comprise the family, named respectively SINCLAIR ALBERT, EDWARD E. and DAVID McKINNON. Socially Mr. WILSON is connected with the Royal Arch, Council and Commandery, A.F. & F.M., and is serving as Generalissimo in the latter organization. Politically he is a Republican. Beginning in the world without capital, he has by resolution and indomitable will, combined with unvarying industry and perseverance in the face of ob- stacles, won his way to a position of prominence, and now enjoys the respect of the people, who have the highest opinion of his executive ability and honesty. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more information about Manistee County, Michigan by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/mi/manistee/ ===========================================================================