BOEHRINGER BROTHERS, leading florists of Bay City, Michigan, where they have erected a large number of greenhouses, have attained prominence and established an extensive trade throughout the part of the State lying north of Bay City. The firm consists of Albert G and Rudolph G. Boehringer, who have studied and experimented in horticulture in a scientific manner, thereby acquiring a knowledge by which they have been enabled to excel and meet every kind of competition in their line of business. They are men of energy and enterprise, and their success has only come through their own persistent efforts. They are natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and sons of Rudolph and Barbara (Widner) Boehringer.

        Rudolph Boehringer, a son of Gabriel Boehringer, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and died there on February 18, 1885, at the age of 48 years. He was a prominent farmer and principally engaged in the culture of sugar beets and hops, although he raised grain enough to keep the cattle and horses, with which his farm was well stocked. He also contracted with a beet sugar factory to take charge of the annual crop of sugar beets from 12 to 15 villages, - pitting, storing and protecting them from frost until the factory was ready to use them, when he would be required to hire scores of teams and send the beets to the factory by the wagon load. He was united in marriage with Barbara Widner, who was born October 8, 1840, and now resides in Bay City. She is a member of the German Lutheran Church in Bay City; her husband belonged to the Lutheran Church of Germany. They were parents of seven children, four of whom grew to maturity, namely: Pauline, wife of George Nusselt of Bay City; Albert G; Rudolph G; and Amelia, of Bay City.

        Albert Boehringer, an uncle of our subjects, came to America in 1868, and located in Bay City, Michigan, where he thereafter lived throughout the remainder of his life. In 1885, he made a visit to Germany, and having no children of his own, persuaded Albert G Boehringer, his nephew, to come to Bay City with him.

        Albert G. Boehringer was born September 20, 1868, and was educated in his native land. After coming to this country with his uncle, he secured employment with the John C. Irvine Greenhouse Company and continued to work for them for five years, in the meantime attending night school in Bay City three winters, after which he took a course of special studies in the Michigan Agricultural College at Lansing. In August 1893, he formed a partnership with his brother, Rudolph G. Boehringer, under the firm name of Boehringer Brothers, and built two small greenhouses in Bay City. They first gave their attention equally to vegetables, such as lettuce and radishes, and to cut flowers and potted plants. Almost every year since the inception of the business, they have added a greenhouse, until at the present time they have 12, all of which are modernly equipped and devoted to the culture of flowers for cutting and potted plants. There are more than 35,000 square feet of glass covering the greenhouses; two horizontal tubular boilers of 40 horsepower each furnish steam heat, which is supplied to the different houses through more than one and a half miles of steam pipes. They are growers of new varieties of carnations, for a period of 10 years having been growing and improving seedlings of carnations by hybridization and fertilization, a record of each plant being kept from one generation to another. They give employment to five men and two girls, in addition to which they devote their own attention exclusively to the business. Their remarkable success may be attributed to their technical knowledge and the scientific methods they pursue.

        Albert G. Boehringer was united in marriage with Marguerite Weber, a daughter of Philip Weber, of Bay City, and they have the following offsprings: Alma M; Anne Dora; Minnie; Nelda Gertrude; Edwin Oscar; and Carl Herman. They are members of the German Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Boehringer is trustee and financial secretary. He is also vice-president of the Bethel Aid Society.

        Rudolph G. Boehringer was born June 23, 1872 and received his educational training in his native land. He came to America in 1888 and located in Bay City, Michigan, where he entered the employ of the John C. Irvine Greenhouse Company. He continued with that company four and a half years, and then, after spending one year in the employ of Charles Breitmeyer, formed the partnership with his brother, above mentioned. He is a man of ability, honesty and integrity, and has forced his way to the front through merit.

        Rudolph G. Boehringer was united in marriage with Emma Gansser, a daughter of August Gansser of Bay City, and they have three children , as follows: Elsie, Clara and Rudolph E. Religiously, they are members of the German Lutheran Church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of the Loyal Guard.

WILLIAM McEWAN, deceased, was for many years one of the prominent business citizens of Bay City, Michigan. He was identified with many different enterprises, was one of the promoters of the present street railway system of Bay City and was a lumber manufacturer for many years. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March 10, 1824, and was a son of William and Margaret (Hunter) McEwan.

        William McEwan, Sr., who was a native of Scotland, came to America in 1848, and lived first in New York City a few months, then in Detroit two years, and still later in Chicago, but never engaged in business in this country. He died in 1860, aged 78 years. He married Margaret Hunter, a daughter of Alexander Hunter, of Scotland, and they became parents of seven children, who grew to maturity, namely: Alexander, deceased; Mary, deceased; Margaret, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Mathilda, wife of Solomon Presley of Bay City; John, deceased; and William. Religiously, the family were Presbyterians.

        William McEwan in early life learned the trade of a pattern-maker and machinist at the great steamship building plant of George Napier in Glasgow. The noise attending the work was probably what caused a slight deafness with which he was afflicted in after years. After coming to America he followed his trade in Chicago and Detroit, and during spare time he and his brother, Alexander, built sawmill machinery which they brought to Bay City. They purchased a mill-site of James Fraser, who afterward became father-in-law of our subject. Alexander and William McEwan formed a partnership under the name and title of McEwan Brothers, and later another brother, John, was taken into the partnership. After the death of Alexander, which occurred about 1854 or 1855, William and John continued the business until 1872, when John purchased the former’s interest and continued in the business until his death in 1882. They were extensive manufacturers of lumber and in the early days shipped largely to Sheriff, Shepherd & Smith, of Chicago. About 1865, William McEwan formed a partnership with John J. Fraser, under the firm name of McEwan & Fraser, and operated what later was known as the “Fulsom & Arnold Mill,” continuing about one year until Mr. Fraser’s death. In the meantime he had continued the partnership with his brother. In addition to his other interests he helped in promoting the street railway system of Bay City, and superintended its construction. In 1857 he built the first grist mill in Bay City, operated it for some years and then sold to Harry Griswold. He and his brother opened a salt-block and operated it for a number of years. From about 1868, until his death in 1887, Mr. McEwan was retired from business activity, with the exception of looking after the property of himself and wife. As a business man he was unexcelled, success attending his efforts on every hand. His life consisted of business and home affairs to the exclusion of all else, and when he was not found at his place of business he was almost certain to be at home in the happy companionship of his wife and children.

        On February 4, 1858, Mr. McEwan was united in marriage with Annie Fraser, who was born July 30, 1836, and it a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Busby) Fraser. A biographical record of her father and his family appears elsewhere in this work. She is a woman of estimable character and has many friends in the vicinity of Bay City, where she has lived so many years. This union resulted in the following offsprings: James, born December 4, 1858, deceased 1May 13, 1877; William H., born October 23, 1860, who is a resident of Seattle, Washington; Alexander F., born December 29, 1862, who with his brother, William H., is in the lumber business in Seattle; Allan, born March 29, 1865, who lives in Bay City; Jessie, born January 29, 1868, who married Walter Tompkins of Tomkins’ Cove, New York, and died June 6, 1895; and Marion, born September 28, 1878, and deceased November 15, 1894.

HON. GEORGE P. COBB, a lawyer of high repute, residing in Bay City, Michigan, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was formerly judge of the 18^th Judicial Circuit of Michigan, comprised of Bay, Arenac and Gladwin counties.

Judge Cobb was born April 13, 1841, in York township, Livingston County, New York, and is the only son of Elijah V and Lucy H (Pomeroy) Cobb. Elijah V. Cobb, who followed the profession of a teacher, was born of New England parentage in Oneida County, New York, in 1814. He moved with his family to Rochester, New York, in 1842. They lived there until 1855.

        The father of Elijah V. Cobb was a native of Massachusetts. He was drafted in the War of 1812, and died from disease contracted in the service. Of his two children, Albert died at the age of 76 years, and Elijah V is still living, in his 91^st year. The latter was reared on a farm and came to Michigan in 1855. For five years he lived in Lenawee County, and then moved to Ann Arbor, where he remained until 1884. At that period he retired from active life and has since made his home with his children.

        Elijah V. Cobb was married in January, 1840, in New York State, to Lucy H. Pomroy, who was a native of Ontario County in that State. She died at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1877. Their union resulted in three children, namely: George P.; Mrs. Mary A. Pomeroy, a widow of Bay City; and Mrs. Augusta T. Wood, who died in Bay City in 1893.

        George P. Cobb was reared on a farm, and received his early mental training in the public schools. In 1855 he accompanied his parents to the northern part of Lenawee County, Michigan, where he remained on the farm for five years. During that period he spent the winter months in attendance at the Ypsilanti Seminary, pursuing, in the meantime, an extended course of study under his father’s supervision at home. Subsequently, he moved with his parents to Ann Arbor, where he attended high school and also receive private instruction.

        In the spring of 1860, Judge Cobb began teaching school and continued in this occupation until 1865, having charge of schools in Macon, Lenawee County, in the city and township of Ann Arbor, and in Salem, Superior and Pittsfield. Early in 1865, he enlisted in the Fifth Regiment, Michigan Vol. Cav., and was at City Point, Virginia, at the time of General Lee’s surrender. After his service in Virginia, he marched West from Leavenworth, Kansas, having been transferred to Company B, seventh Reg., Michigan Vol. Cav., and accompanied the expedition sent across the plains to Salt Lake City, riding an old cavalry horse 1,200 miles. The route was from Leavenworth, Kansas, by way of Fort Kearney and Julesburg, to Fort Collins, Colorado, and thence to Fort Bridger and Salt Lake City. He was honorably discharged February 16, 1866, at Camp Douglas, Utah Territory.

        In the fall of 1866, Judge Cobb entered the law department of the University of Michigan, where he graduated with the class of 1868. In September of that year he located at Bay City, and shortly afterward opened a law office. His reminiscences of the then small city of about 7,000 population would fill a chapter. He remembers the time when there was but one bridge across the rive at this point.

        In July, 1870, Judge Cobb became a member of the firm of Grier, McDonell & Cobb. In 1871, Mr. Grier became circuit judge, and died in 1872. The firm continued as McDonell & Cobb until 1874, and is now McDonell & Duffy. In 1873, Mr. Cobb was elected supervisor of the Third Ward of Bay City and served as such during 1873 and 1874. In 1880 he was elected State Representative and served in the House during the two sessions of 1881-82. From the spring of 1879 until January 1, 1888, the Judge was associated in practice with Hon. J. W. McMath. He assumed the duties of circuit judge on the latter date, having been elected to that office in the spring of 1887.

        When in the Legislature, Mr. Cobb was a member of the committees on insurance and ways and means, and introduced the bill that resulted in the adoption of what is known among insurance men as the “Michigan Standard Policy.” He was also active in securing the passage of the noted Ontonagon & Brule River Railroad bill, and of the tax law of 1882. He was a member of the special committee appointed to investigate the charges of misconduct against the management of the State Reformatory at Ionia. In 1881, he was appointed a member of the visiting board of Albion College. In local politics, he has never had an inclination to figure. His offices are located on the corner of Adams street and Center avenue.

        On November 1, 1871, the subject of this sketch married Laura Munger, a daughter of the late Algernon S. Munger, of Bay City. Mr. Munger was one of the first settlers of the city and one of the most active promoters of its various interests. He was one of the organizers of the East Saginaw & Bay City Railroad, now a part of the Pere Marquette system. He served as mayor, county treasurer and supervisor, and was always identified with measures tending to promote the public welfare. His daughter, Mrs. Cobb, was born in Cass County, Michigan; her parents removed, when she was a child, to Bay City, where she was reared and educated. To Judge Cobb and his estimable wife have been born two children, namely: Susan, who died at the age of six years; and George Arthur, born August 3, 1875, educated in the Bay City schools and Alma College, and married to Maggie Parker on July 23, 1892.

        Judge Cobb was grand regent of the Royal Arcanum of Michigan for 1884, having been vice grand regent in 1883. He is also a member of the National Union. He belongs to H. P. Merrill Post No. 419. G. A. R., and was a charter member of that post as well as of U. S. Grant Post, No. 67. He has held the office of quartermaster, adjutant, chaplain, commander and trustee. He was a delegate to the National Encampment held in Boston in 1890. He is now past commander of two posts, having filled every position of trust.

        Judge Cobb and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church, of Bay City. The Judge was secretary of the board of trustees of this church for a number of years and also served as treasurer. He has been a member of the sessions for 11 years, and officiated as clerk during half of that time.

JOHN CARROLL, proprietor of the largest wholesale produce and fruit establishment of Bay County, Michigan, is one of the most enterprising and successful business men of Bay City. He began life under adverse circumstances, and it was only after years of hard and consistent effort that

he was enabled to take his place among the leaders in the business world of this locality. He was born in county Kerry, Ireland, in 1848, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Welsh) Carroll, both natives of Ireland. Our subject was two years old when his mother died and his father soon after emigrated to America, leaving him in Ireland with a younger sister, Margaret, who is now the wife of Patrick Cahill, of Orange County, New York.

        John Carroll was given only an ordinary education in Ireland. On September 14, 1865, he landed at New York, where he turned his hand to various occupations in an endeavor to earn an honest living. Removing to Orange County, New York, he worked on a farm, but not having a taste for that life he returned to New York City, where he was employed for a time as a laborer on a railroad. Later he did contract work and superintended the construction of some buildings. He was then called upon to assume management of the old Manhattan Hotel at No. 29 Centre street, New York, while its owner was abroad, and this he did successfully for a period of nine months. He later made application for a position on the New York police force. Out of 45 who took the examination, he was one of the five that passed, but he decided to go West before he qualified. In 1869, he came to Bay City, Michigan, and opened a butcher shop. He had good backing but not caring to use another’s money, he closed that business, and engaged as manager in the same line, at the same stand, continuing there about one year. He then engaged in drying for a few months, when he again started in the butcher business in association with D. F. Kenney, to whom he later sold out. Mr. Carroll then engaged in farming and buying cattle and slaughtering for the market. After about five years, he returned to Bay City and engaged with Hammond, Standish & Company, as manager of their fresh meat department. He remained three years and then again started in for himself. The firm of Logan & Carroll, produce merchants, was established in 1889 and continued for three years. After the dissolution of the partnership, the firm of Carroll, Hurley & Company came into existence and continued for one year, being succeeded by that of Carroll & Rose. Later, Mr. Carroll purchased his present building and has since continued alone. He was the first product merchant in Bay City to handle oranges in car-load lots, and the first and the only one in the city to make a business of storing eggs. He is a wholesale dealer in produce, fruits, confectionery and the “Peerless” brand of Baltimore oysters. His store, located at No. 113 Third street, has ample storage facilities connected therewith. Mr. Carroll has been highly successful and has every reason for feeling proud of the rapid progress he has made. He erected four dwellings in South Bay City at a cost of from $1,200 to $2,500 each, and has a beautiful home on Lincoln street, which cost $4,000. He has served as highway commissioner of the village of Portsmouth, and as supervisor of Bay City two terms.

        In 1872, Mr. Carroll was united in marriage with Annie Joyce, a native of Ontario, Canada, and they had 16 children, 10 of whom are living, namely: Daniel, interested in the insurance business, who married Rosalie Foley; and Catherine, Maud, Madge, Michael, Jett, John, Jr., Rhea, Beatrice and Fidelis, who are at home. Religiously the family are members of St. James’ Catholic Church. When the church and the parochial school were erected, Mr. Carroll was placed on the building committees. Fraternally, he is a member of the Elks; Knights of Columbus; K of M; the C. M. B. A. And an honorary member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

ALLEN L. STEWART, one of the pioneer business men of Bay City, Michigan, was here engaged in the early history of the place in the boot and shoe business and afterward was engaged in the bakery business on the corner of Center and Saginaw streets. Since 1874 he has devoted his attention to fire insurance and to real estate. He was born in Eaton, Madison County, New York, December 1, 1826, and is a son of Lemuel and Lydia (Barstow) Stewart, and grandson of William and Polly Stewart.

        William Stewart, the grandfather, was born in Scotland and came to America in colonial days, becoming a farmer of New York, in which State he died. He was a “minute-man” during the revolution; he was taken prisoner by General Burgoyne and was marched to Quebec where he was held captive. His wife, Polly, was born in the North of Ireland, July 1, 1748, and died June 13, 1848, aged almost 100 years. Her home at Whitehall, New York, was for a time the headquarters of General Burgoyne on his march to Saratoga. They had two sons, - Lemuel and Addison.

        Lemuel Stewart was born at Whitehall, New York, June 28, 1773. When a young man, he took up wild land in the then almost wilderness of Madison County, New York, and followed farming there throughout the remainder of his life, dying May 5, 1849. He was twice married, by his first marriage having nine children. He married for his second wife Lydia Barstow, who was born July 14, 1785, and died October 10, 1854. They had three children, as follows: Nancy, Prudence and Allen L. Nancy, born in 1819, and deceased November 29, 1899, was the wife of Elias Bump, of Flint, Michigan. Prudence, who is living in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 80 years, is the wife of Addison Gage, by whom she had three children, of whom a son and daughter are living at the present time.

        Allen L. Stewart, the youngest of the children born to his parents, was reared on a farm and attended district school, also attending academy at Morrisonville, the county seat, one year. He then taught school in different districts for two years, among his pupils being Governor Bliss and the latter’s younger brothers and sisters. When he was a young man, his father died, and Allen purchased the old homestead, which he conducted about three years. Two years after his marriage, he removed to Flint, Michigan, in 1856, and engaged as clerk in the store of Samuel Warren. In the spring of 1857 he bought out the Higgins Brothers’ shoe business on Saginaw street in Flint, which he conducted until 1861, when he removed to East Saginaw, where he was soon after burned out, losing all his stock. He then returned to Flint and clerked two years for Baker & Ripley, shoe dealers, until 1863, when he removed to Bay City and opened a shoe store on Water street, near the corner of Sixth. The following July occurred the great fire which swept away so much of the city, but saving a large amount of his stock, Mr. Stewart again opened a store on Water street. He sold out in 1865 and purchased a business corner on Fourth and Saginaw streets, where he established a bakery in the fall of that year. In 1866 he purchased land and built a brick block on the corner of Saginaw and Center streets, the first good business block erected on Saginaw street at that time. This building has a frontage of 20 feet, a depth of 100 feet, and is two stories high, and in it he has had his offices for many years. Here he established his bakery which he conducted until 1874, when he sold out and turned his attention to the fire insurance business, representing a State company, whose head office was at Lansing. In connection with his insurance agency, he later engaged in the real estate business, and continues to be interested in both lines at the present time. He has always been a man of the greatest activity and enterprise, and has left him imprint on the progress and development of this community. He is well informed on public events, possesses a retentive memory and easily recalls the details of early life in Bay City.

        Mr. Stewart is one of the oldest Masons in Bay City, having joined the order in 1864. In 1884 he joined Blanchard Chapter, and Bay City Commandery. During 1884-85 he served as worshipful master of Bay City Lodge No. 129, F. & A. M., and at the present time is treasure of the lodge. He has filled nearly all the offices in Bay City Commandery and in 1893 was eminent commander. In 1887 he joined the Michigan Consistory, and has taken the 33^rd degree, Scottish Rite, being now the head of Rose Croix Chapter, A. A. S. R. He is president of the board of directors of the Masonic Temple Association. Mr. Stewart is a member of the Universalist Church, and has severed as clerk and trustee a number of years. He cast his first vote in Michigan for John C. Freemont for President, and has always been a Republican, although taking no active part in political affairs.

GEORGE S. COLE, it would not be a very difficult matter for a stranger traveling through Monitor township, Bay County, to locate the prosperous farmers, and the general air of thrift and comfort surrounding the home of George S. Cole, in section 22, would immediately attract attention. This fine farm of 80 acres is well-situated and finely improved. Mr. Cole was born in New Jersey and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Shafer) Cole.

        Samuel Cole was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, of German parents, and had four brothers and one sister, namely: Aaron, Michael, John, Jacob, and Catherine, all now deceased. In his younger days he worked at shoemaking in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and then bought a farm of 95 acres, in Sussex County, New Jersey, where he lived until 1867, when he sold that property and purchased a farm of 178 acres in Warren County, New Jersey, which continued to be his home to the day of his death at the age of 85 years. After becoming a resident of New Jersey, he married Sarah Shafer, who was a native of that State. Their children were: Lavina, wife of M. Snover, a farmer of Blair township, Warren County, New Jersey; Sarah, wife of Willis Ragan, of Newton, New Jersey; George S., of this sketch; Nathan, a farmer of Aurora, Nebraska; Amanda (Castner), of Newton, New Jersey; Mary, wife of Marshall Snover, a farmer of Blair township, and Samuel, a farmer of Hardwick township, Warren County, New Jersey. Our subject’s father was a stanch Democrat and held several township offices. He and his wife were members of the Dutch Reformed Church.

        In 1877, George S. Cole came to Michigan and during one winter attended school at Oxford, Oakland County. He then spent three years in farm work before he purchased an 80 acre farm in Tuscola County. Later he gave up farming there, and in 1882 came to Bay City, where he worked two years in the “Detroit Mill,” selling his farm in the meantime. For 11 years he filled the position of night watchman at this mill. In 1893 he bought his present farm of 80 acres and has carried on general farming ever since. He has taken a deep interest in his property and has spared neither labor nor expense in making it attractive, valuable and comfortable. In 1900 he erected his fine, modern, brick residence which is heated by a complete hot air system and resembles a city home in its comforts and conveniences. He also erected a large barn, wagon house and all necessary outbuildings. His grounds are kept in repair and the place is one of the ideal rural homes of Monitor township.

        On April 6, 1892, Mr. Cole was married at Bay City, to Hattie Hallam, who was born in Norfolk District, Ontario, Canada, where her parents were farmers. In 1886 she came with a sister to Bay City, where she formed the acquaintance of our subject, which resulted in this happy marriage. They have one daughter, Alma, aged 11 years.

        Politically, Mr. Cole is and always has been identified with the Republican party. He is justly considered one of the township’s representative men.

RICHARD FIELD CONOVER, a well-known resident of Bay City, Michigan, and the manager of large landed family interests, was born in South Amboy, New Jersey, and is a representative of one of the old established families of that section. He is a son of Francis Stevens Conover, a captain in the United States Navy, and of Helen Field, the daughter of Hon. Richard Stockton Field, judge of the United States District Court of New Jersey, and a grandson of Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

        After graduating at Princeton College, he entered the Columbia Law School, and after graduation settled for a short time in the practice of the law at Newark, New Jersey. He then went to Texas and spent 15 years in ranching in that State. While in Texas he was married to Cornelia Fitzhugh, who is a daughter of the late William D. Fitzhugh and a granddaughter of Dr. Daniel Hughes Fitzhugh and Judge Charles Carroll. These names are very familiar ones to the citizens of Bay County, Michigan.

        In 1900 Mr. Conover came to Bay City to assume the management of real estate belonging to his wife and her mother, Mrs. William D. Fitzhugh. It includes property all over Bay County, Mr. Fitzhugh’s possessions at one time probably excelling those of any other landowner in this section.

        Mr. & Mrs. Conover enjoy one of the most charming home of Bay City and it is frequently the scene of delightful social functions. They have three children: Carroll Fitzhugh, Helen Field and Alida Van Reasselaer. (? This name was not clear with ink spots upon it).

        Mr. & Mrs. Conover are members of the Trinity Protestant Church.

ROBBINS B. TAYLOR, a prominent attorney-at-law at Bay City, Michigan, a well-known and highly regarded citizen, was born May 15, 1839, at Plattsburgh, New York, and is a son of Rev. Stephen and Electa (Newcomb) Taylor.

        Rev. Stephen Taylor was a minister in the Baptist Church. When our subject was a child of four years the father removed from New York to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and purchased a farm where his seven children were reared. The three survivors are out subject, a daughter in California and a son in Colorado. The parents have long since passed away. The mother came of excellent family, being a daughter of Judge Newcomb, of Plattsburgh, New York.

        Robbins B. Taylor was reared on the Ohio farm and was educated in the district schools and in a local academy. In 1866 he came to Michigan and in the following year entered upon the reading of the law in the office of Grier & McDonnell, pioneer attorneys, the former of whom became at a later date, judge of the Circuit Court. In 1868, Mr. Taylor was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was admitted to the bar. He entered into practice at Bay City and also soon became interested in loans and real estate. At the present his attention is entirely given outside of an office practice, to the latter interests. Mr. Taylor’s office is conveniently located at the corner of Third and Washington streets, Bay City. During his years of greatest professional activity he has been alone. At one time he was in partnership with H. H. Wheeler, who was subsequently twice elected to the State Senate. Mr. Taylor was a member of the first Board of Public Works of Bay City and served four years as its chairman. He was an early appointee on the School Board and later served two terms by election. He has always been one of the city’[s wide-awake, progressive citizens and he has done his full share in promoting her prosperity.

        In 1868, Mr. Taylor was married to Angie L. Fling, who was born at Saranac, New York. They have one son, Clayton R., who was born at Bay City in 1870. He was educated at home by private tutors until prepared for college and then went to Akron, Ohio, going form there to the Northwestern University, at Chicago, where he was graduated in law. He is now junior member of the well-known law firm of West, Eckhart & Taylor, which is located in the First National Bank Building, Chicago. In the great city of competition and opportunity, Clayton R. Taylor has met with gratifying success. In 1898 he married Alice Hatch, who was formerly a teacher in the Bay City High School and is the accomplished daughter of Judge Hatch, of Detroit, Michigan. They have had two children, the survivor being a little maid named Helen Louise, who is dearly beloved by her grandfather, the subject of this sketch.

        Mr. & Mrs. Robbins B. Taylor have also in their kindness of heart, reared and thoroughly educated two children, both of whom are happily married and well established in life.

ROBERT L. KING, attorney-at-law and justice of the peace at Bay City, Michigan, is a native of this city, born here in 1871, and is a son of Alfred M and Frances (Thompson) King.

        Alfred M. King has been a resident of Bay City since 1868. For several years he taught school and then entered upon the practice of the law, a profession which has claimed his main attention ever since. He has served as a justice of the peace and also has been circuit court commissioner. Mr. & Mrs. King still reside at Bay City, their family consisting of four sons and one daughter.

        Robert L. King was reared at Bay City. After completing the common school course here, he entered the shop of John D. MacKinnon, where he learned the machinist’s trade, one which he followed until 1895. In the meantime he completed his law reading and was admitted to the bar in 1897; he has devoted the greater part of his attention to this profession since that date and has met with very satisfactory success. Politically he has always been an active Democrat and has been honored by his party on many occasions. He was elected circuit court commissioner and served in 1898 and 1899, - a term of two year. In 1901 he was elected justice of the peace and will serve for four years, having the distinction of being one of the two magistrates in the city.

        Mr. King married Grace Leonard, who was a daughter of John E. Leonard, a substantial citizen of Bay City. Mrs. King died in June 1903, leaving one son, Robert, Jr. Mr. King is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason, and at present is master of Portsmouth Lodge, No. 190, F. & A. M. He belongs also to the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is regarded as one of the progressive, enterprising young professional men of the city, well-equipped for the future and possessing the qualifications for advancement in professional and political fields.

E. E. CORLISS, one of the best known citizens of Bay City, Michigan, who was identified with the city press for many years and now is city treasurer, was born March 11, 1859, at Albany, New York, and is a son of R. B. And Catherine W (Ward) Corliss.

        The parents of Mr. Corliss resided at Albany for many years, the father following the trade of painter there during all his active life, and his death taking place there in 1874. His widow removed to Bay City, Michigan, where she died in 1890, aged 74 years. Our subject has two sisters; Mrs. F. L. Wands and Mrs. W. W. Bassett, both of Bay City.

        E. E. Corliss was reared at Albany and completed his education in the Boys Academy of that City. He has been a resident of Bay City for more than a quarter of a century and has been a prominent figure during the greater part of this time. For many years previously and up to 1899, he had charge of the circulation department of the Bay City Times and Tribune and gained a wide acquaintance and hosts of friends in his newspaper connection. His political association has always been with the Republican party and he has been one of its most efficient workers. He served one term as supervisor to the 11^th District and in 1899 was elected deputy city treasurer, serving in that office continuously until April, 1903, when he was elected to his present office of city treasurer. His public service has reflected credit both upon himself and the city.

        Mr. Corliss married at Albany, New York, being united to Anna M. Smith, of that city, and they have two children, via: Edna, who married George H. Floyd, of the Fletcher Hardware Company, of Detroit, and has one daughter, Virginia; and Catherine, who is a student in the Bay City High School. The pleasant family residence is situated on North Farragut street.

        Mr. Corliss has many agreeable fraternal connections, belonging to the Masonic Blue Lodge and Council at Bay City; the Elks, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Maccabees and the Royal Arcanum.

ROBERT W. ERWIN, B. S., M. D. Who enjoys the distinction of being the third oldest physician in practice at Bay City, Michigan, has been identified with the interests of this city for the past 30 years. Dr. Erwin was born at Laceyville, Harrison County, Ohio, May 24, 1842, and is a son of Robert and Rebecca (Law) Erwin.

        Dr. Erwin is descended on the paternal side from Scotch Presbyterian ancestors, who came to America prior to the Revolutionary War. His mother was born in Ireland of English ancestry. The family is well represented in clerical life, both in the Church of England and among the followers of John Wesley.

        The enforced industry of life on a farm gave our subject energetic habits and to this exercise Dr. Erwin attributes much of his sustained vigor, and long continued capacity for hard work. His education was pursued through the winters at the district schools, but the summers found him hard at work on his father’s farm. When but 17 years old, after five months in a neighboring academy, and three months in the Hopedale (Ohio) Normal School, he was accepted as a teacher in the local school. He continued to teach through the winters until after the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted for service in the 170^th Regiment, Ohio Vol in which he served until the expiration of his term of enlistment.

        After his honorable discharge, he returned to his studies, entering the Ohio University, at Athens, where he took the full course and was graduated in the class of 1868, with the degree of B. S. For some time he had been reading medicine and with intention of adopting it as a profession and, after leaving the University, immediately entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, where he was graduated in the class of 1870. In order to satisfactorily pursue his medical studies during this time, he filled the chair of geometry at Cooper Institute.

        Dr. Erwin settled for practice at Athens, Ohio, where he continued for three years. In 1873 he came Westward, seeking a wider field and chose Bay City for his permanent location. Here Dr. Erwin met with great encouragement from the start and soon built up a lucrative practice. His life has been devoted to his profession and the eminence to which he has attained is the just reward of faithful effort. He has taken advantage of special courses and has attended noted clinics, continually supplementing his previous knowledge with all that could be secured in the leading medical organizations of the country. He is a member of the Michigan State Medical Society, American Academy of Medicine, American Medical Association and an honorary member of the Ohio State Medical Society and is also affiliated with the medical bodies of Bay County and the Saginaw Valley. He has been zealous in his efforts to uphold the honor of the profession and raise the standard of its requirements.

        Dr. Erwin was married on April 19, 1870, to Julia E. Carpenter, a daughter of Dr. E. G. Carpenter, of Athens, Ohio. Mrs. Erwin died January 10, 1902. Two daughters were born to them, namely: Mrs. Edwin C. Horn of Washington, Pennsylvania; and Roberta Julia, who lives with her father and presides over his home. The family residence is a beautiful modern one, situated on the corner of Sixth and Monroe streets; the Doctor still retains his office in the old place, on the corner of Fifth and Adams streets. He is a member and a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Erwin was a member in her lifetime.

        Dr. Erwin has never taken any very active part in politics, giving all his attention to medical matters. He served as a member of the Board of Health for sever year - part of three terms. He still practices, but chiefly at his office. Personally, he is held in the highest esteem throughout Bay County. His portrait accompanies this sketch.