Mr. Emlaw, formerly one of the foremost lumber manufacturers of Grand Haven,
Mich., is now retired from the active duties of life, and lives in the enjoyment
of a handsome home on Franklin Street, Grand Haven. His long life of industry
and usefulness, and his record for integrity and true-hearted faithfulness in
all the relations of life, have given him a strong hold upon the community which
all might well desire to share. His career is an example of the prosperity that
comes to him who strives, for his success in life has not been the result of
chance, but of his individual and continuous efforts. Mr. Emlaw is a native of
Vermont, a State always suggestive of the honest, hard and rugged character in
human life, and was born in Alburgh Springs February 5, 1829.
His parents, Michael and Wealthy (Maxfield) Emlaw, were both natives of the Emprie State. The father was born on the shore of Lake Champlain in 1800. He was a cooper by trade and an honest, industrious man. Mrs. Emlaw was the daughter of Isaac Maxfield and of Scotch descent. By her marriage to Mr. Emlaw she became the mother of eight children, the original of this notice being sixth in order of birth. The early educational advantages of our subject were received in the district schools of Franklin County, N.Y., and later he learned the trade of a millwright. In the year 1849 he came to Michigan and located in Grand Haven, where he followed his trade and was also engaged in building sawmills up to 1866, when he formed a partnership with C.L. Storrs & Co., the firm continuing under the title for five years, when it was changed to Reynolds & Emlaw. This firm manufactured pine lumber and continued the business successfully up to 1875, when the mill burned. In 1881 the Grand Haven Lumber Company was organized with C. Boyden as President, Mr. Emlaw Vice-President and H. C. A. Keley as Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Emlaw is sole owner of the gas plant of Grand Haven.
Our subject remained in the business until 1885, when he retired, and is now living a happy, contented life. He has ever been interested in the public weal, is generous in his support of worthy measures, and is a model citizen, as all who are acquainted with him know. The soul of honesty in all his business transactions, by his correct mode of living he has made numerous warm and faithful friends. Blood will surely tell, and men who come from good and honored ancestors, and are reared in an atmosphere of honesty and good principles, will assuredly make their mark in whatever field of labor fate may destine them to work. Mr. Emlaw was married in 1872 to Miss Louisa Bentham, of Grand Haven, Mich., and two children have blessed this union, Harlan S. and Martha L. Mr. Emlaw’s views are embodied in the declarations of the Republican party, and his vote is cast with that organization.
Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company Pg.
133Transcribed by: Susan G. Davis
Created: 6 January 2003
URL: http://ottawa.migenweb.net/biographies/1893/emlawa.html