Gust Begeman. It matters little what vocation a man selects as his life occupation so long as it is an honorable one. If he is an honest, upright man, courteous in his intercourse with his fellow-men, and possessed of the average amount of energy and perseverance, he is bound to make his occupation a financial success. Because the subject of this sketch is possessed of all the above requirements is the chief reason he has succeeded; because he is above the average in point of business qualifications is the reason that he today stands among the prominent men of the county. He is at present the most efficient Supervisor of Blendon Township and discharges the duties of that position in a very satisfactory manner. He was born in the city of Berlin, Germany, May 8, 1862, and is the only child of Conrad and Minnie (Coleman) Begeman, natives of Germany.

The father came to America in 1862 while the war cloud hung darkly over the Nations, and settled in the village of Allegan, Allegan County, Mich., where he was engaged in brick-making until his death, in 1873. He was twice married, and was the father of three children by his first union: Fred, Sophia and Minnie, all now married and living in Germany. The mother of our subject had also been twice married, first to a Mr. Coleman, by whom she had four children: Augusta, who married Joseph Sickinger, and resides in New York City; Ernest, who resides in Germany; William, who died in Allegan in 1892, and whose family now resides in that town; and Minnie, who resides in New York City. The parents of these children were upright, enterprising citizens and won many friends wherever they made their home.

The subject of this sketch was but one year of age when his mother died, and before he had reached his twelfth year he was left fatherless. He really commenced life for himself at the early age of seven years and worked first at one thing then another, attending the country school as opportunity offered. Until eighteen years of age he worked on a farm and then learned the trade of marble-cutter, which he followed for six years. In 1884 he moved to his present location, Bauer, and established a general store, which he conducted until 1893, when he sold his stock of dry goods and groceries to M. W. Otto. He was first elected Township Treasurer in 1888, re-elected in 1889, and in 1890 was made Supervisor, to which position he has been re-elected each succeeding year.

In the year 1886 Miss Maggie Bauer, a native of Trier, Germany, born January 2, 1864, became his wife. She is the daughter of Nicholas and Barbara (Tibald) Bauer, also natives of the Old Country. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer came to America about 1860 or 1870 and settled first in Grand Rapids. Being a wagon-maker by trade, he established a wagon-manufacturing shop there and was engaged in a successful business for some time. He then sold his city property and moved to Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, Mich. The postoffice of Bauer, established on the line between Blendon Township and Georgetown, was named in his honor. He resided there and made wagons for many years. On the 1^st of July, 1891, he sold his interest in this place and now resides on a small farm in Georgetown Township. He and his wife are the parents of three children, as follows: Maggie, the wife of our subject; John and Kate. To Mr. and Mrs. Begeman have been born two children: Bernie B., born October 6, 1888; and Albert W., born September 29, 1890. Mr. Begeman was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), but does not affiliate with the lodge at present. He was a member of Home Lodge No. 290, I.O.O.F., of the town of Allegan. Politically, he has always been a strong Democrat.