Byron G. Colton

Byron G. Colton, member of the business house of Charles L. Gray & Co., merchants, manufacturers and dealers in lumber, shingles, etc., at Evart, was born Aug. 17, 1856, in Genesee Township and County, Mich. His parents, Elou and Harriet (Begle) Colton, are natives of the State of New York, where the former was born July 9, 1822, the latter, March 6, 1829. The families of which they were members came to Macomb Co., Mich., when they were young. After their marriage they settled in Genesee County, where they are still resident. Seven of their ten children are yet living.

Mr. Colton is the sixth child in order of birth, and was reared on his father's farm during his childhood and early youth. He abandoned agricultural pursuits when 17 years of age and leaned telegraphy, which he pursued as an occupation seven years. He came to Evart in the spring of 1879 and officiated as telepgraph operator in the office of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railraod Company. Two years later - in 1881 - he opened a store where he is now doing business, and after six months he admitted George V. Seeley to a partnership. A year afterward the latter sold his interest to the original owner, and not long after Charles L. Gray purchased the interest he has since held, and consolidated his extensive lumbering relations with the mercantile connections. Jan. 1, 1884, William Latta was admitted to an interest in the business, the firm style becoming Gharles L. Gray & Co., and the relations of the house are steadily expanding and increasing. Ine mill is situated on River Street at the foot of Sixth, where 15 men are required as assistants in the manufacture of lumber and broom handles. At another mill, located in Hartwick Township, they employ 15 men, and manufacture shingles and four foot clap-boards. A third mill, at Sunrise Lake, requires a complement of 20 assistants and is devoted to the manufacture of shingles and other lumber products. Their stock of merchandise and represents from $6,000 to $10,000 in value, and includes dry goods, groceries, and all articles suited to their trade. The mill site at Evart occupies several acres, and the company owns two large warehouses near the depot for storage purposes. Mr. Colton is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

His marriage to Nettie Tupper occurred at Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., Mich., April 15, 1877, and they are the parents of one child, Etta May, born in Evart, April 12, 1882. Mrs. Colton was born at Grand Blanc, Nov. 12, 1855, and is the daughter of Benajah and Charlotte Tupper.

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