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 Publishing Company, Chicago - 1895 -123- LEVI J. LAW. In enumerating the prominent men of Northern Michigan, especially those who have estab- lished its business status and molded its political thought, mention should be made of Mr. LAW, who is recognized as one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Northern Michigan. He is filling with efficiency and to the satisfaction of his constituents the position of Postmaster at Cadillac, and in addi- tion is conducting a clothing business, which was established here by himself in 1881. The LAW family originated in Westmoreland County, England. The grandfather of our subject, Capt. GEORGE LAW, was for many years Captain of a merchantman which plied the Atlantic between Liverpool and Boston. He died of yellow fever in Boston Harbor, when only thirty- five years of age. His wife, who survived him many years, died in Abingdon, Mass., at the age of eighty- one. They had two children, GEORGE D. and JOHN. The first-named was born in Massachusetts, and for fifty- three years engaged in the boot and shoe business at Salem, that state. His death occurred at the age of eighty-three years. He was for many years a prominent Democrat in Massachusetts politics, his first ballot being cast for ANDREW JACKSON. His widow, who is still living, bore the maiden name of HANNAH A. HAM, and was a member of an honorable family of Scotch origin that resided in Maine for six generations. She was married in Salem, and there the most of her active life was passed, but she now lives in South Bend, Ind. In the parental family there were nine children, of whom seven attained mature years. They were ELIZA, now a resident of South Bend, Ind.; ELLEN and MARY, both of whom died at Salem, Mass.; HANNAH, wife of E. S. PECK, a prominent merchant of South Bend, Ind.; GEORGE, who died at Salem; LEVI J.; and ETTA, wife of ALFRED J. MAY, of South Bend, Ind. Our subject was born in Salem, Mass., December 1, 1854, and after graduating from the high school of that place entered Cornell University at Ithaca, N.Y., but his limi- ted means did not permit him to complete the full course of study there. At the age of nineteen he came West as far as South Bend, Ind., where he clerked in a clothing- store. From that place he came to Michigan in 1881, and embarked in business at Cadillac. Public-spirited and enterprising, he soon gained a reputation as one of our foremost citizens. He was elected an Alderman in 1883, and Mayor in 1889, and for three years past has served as President of the School Board. April 1, 1894, he was appointed Postmaster, which position he still holds. He has been a delegate to every Democratic State Convention held in Michigan since 1882, and in 1892 he was a dele- gate to the Democratic National Convention at Chicago. He has for ten years been a member of the Democratic Congressional Committee in this district, and for four years served as a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. He was a member of the executive committee that conducted the campaign in 1890, concerning which history notes that it was the only successful Democratic campaign in this state for many years. While serving upon the Cadillac Improvement Board he has done all in his power to promote the welfare of our people and the upbuilding of our thriving little city. In 1878 Mr. LAW was united in marriage with Miss ELLA W. SAYLES, a native of West Bay City, Mich., where their union was solemnized. Mrs. LAW'S father was one of the pioneers of the Saginaw ---------------------------------------------------------- -124- Valley and one of its well known residents. Mrs. LAW is a lady of amiable disposition and Christian character, an active worker in the Presbyterian Church, and kind to those in need. The family circle consists of two daughters and two sons, BESSIE, EDNA, GEORGE and ARTHUR. Socially Mr. LAW is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias. The subject of our sketch is one of those men who have risen from poverty and obscurity soley through their own efforts. When he came West and settled in South Bend he had but $50. With this as a nucleus he began to save his earnings until he had a sufficient amount to enable him to engage in business for himself. His industry is great and his energy almost unbounded, and he is regarded as one of the most active men of his section. He is classed among the best citizens of the county, and one to whom she is indebted for much of her present prosperity. To such men as he -- shrewd, industrious and indefatigable in their efforts -- the growth and development of this locality may justly be attributed. ==========================================================================