Genesee-Oakland County MI Archives Biographies.....Cotharin, Benjamin F. 1850 - 
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Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

BENJAMIN F. COTHARIN. The city of Flint has many flourishing business
establishments, and prominent among these is the furniture store of Mr.
Cotharin, which is conveniently located near the corner of Saginaw and Second
Streets. Mr. Cotharin carries a splendid line of furniture and upholstered
goods, occupying five floors, one hundred and forty feet deep. The success which
has come to him is the reward of his determined and judicious efforts, and while
financially he has accumulated a competency, he has at the same time earned a
place among the representative and honored citizens of Flint, those who have
become identified with its growth and closely connected with its progress.

  Mr. Cotharin was born in Springfield Township, Oakland County, this State,
March 10, 1850, and is the son of Benjamin and Eliza (Carter) Cotharin, of whom
see sketch elsewhere in this volume. Our subject was seven years old when he
accompanied his parents to this city and here he gained his education. After
completing the course of study in the High School he attended the Commercial
College of Detroit, where he became well grounded in the principles which
contribute to success in business. After completing his education he was for a
time with F. W. Judd and later formed a partnership with William Charles in
1872, the firm name being Charles & Cotharin. This connection was continued for
four years, when Mr. Cotharin bought out his partner's interest and continued
the business alone. His establishment has always been located on Saginaw Street
and has gradually grown to its present magnitude.

  Every measure calculated to promote the interests of Flint receives the hearty
co-operation of Mr. Cotharin. He is now one of the Directors of the Flint Water
Company, with which he has been connected since soon after its organization. He
is Director and Vice-President of the Equitable Savings and Loan Association, of
which he was one of the organizers at the time of its inception August 1, 1889;
he is also a stockholder in the First National Bank. Socially he is a Knight
Templar, connected with the Genesee Valley Commandery, No. 15, and is a member
of Washington Chapter No. 15, and the Blue Lodge of Flint No. 23; he is also a
member of the Maccabees. In the city of Flint he owns business houses, as well
as private residences and lots, and the brick structure which he occupies for
his furniture establishment, was built under his direction. It is 20x140 feet in
dimensions, and comprises five stories above a basement. He is interested in the
Platte Iron Mine, located in northern Michigan.

  On October 12, 1874, Mr. Cotharin was united in marriage with Miss Elenora
Beehe, the daughter of G. W. Beehe, of Flint. Mr. and Mrs. Cotharin have one
child, a daughter, Marguerite. They are consistent members of the Episcopal
Church, in which he is a Vestryman. Socially they are welcomed in the most
select circles of the city, and under their hospitable roof their many friends
are wont to gather and pass pleasant hours.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892

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