Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Skinner, Edward B. 1857 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 7, 2007, 1:39 am

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

EDWARD B. SKINNER, who is engaged as a carriage manufacturer and blacksmith at
No. 813-15 S. Saginaw Street, is one of the most influential business men of
Flint. He occupies a fine two-story brick building devoted to his business, in
which, until 1889, he made a specialty of the trade of a blacksmith, but since
then has devoted his attention almost exclusively to the manufacture of
carriages. He turns out custom work principally and keeps in his employ during
the entire year an average of ten men. Mr. Skinner is a native of England and
was born in Devonshire, December 19, 1857. He spent his boyhood amid the scenes
of Devonshire and in 1872 accompanied his parents to the United States. After
landing they proceeded directly to Michigan, locating in Flint Township, Genesee
County, where the father operated as a farmer. After residing there two years 
he removed to Thetford Township, this county, where he now makes his home.

  About two weeks after his arrival in this county Mr. Skinner engaged to work
on a farm, at which he continued employed for some time. In 1877 he located
permanently in this city, whither he came with the intention of learning the
trade of a blacksmith. He first established himself alone in business in 1883,
the scene of his activity being a rude and small wooden building upon the site
of his present establishment. His success was such as to warrant the erection of
a double-brick, two-story structure, 80x60 feet in dimensions, which was put up
in 1887. His business has been growing constantly and he now has one of the
largest custom manufactories in this section of the country. This splendid
result has been attained b^ his unaided exertions and furnishes a good example
to those just starting out in life with no capital save willing hands and
energetic disposition. During the past fourteen years he has worked to the front
in his business and now the name "Skinner" on work is a guarantee of its
superiority.

  On August 25, 1886, Mr. Skinner was married to Miss Margaret Radzs, a resident
of Flint. Mrs. Skinner was born in Canada and is a daughter of Jacob and
Elizabeth Radzs. Socially she occupies a prominent position in Flint and is a
lady of many benevolent and kindly impulses. Mr. Skinner is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Order of Maccabees. During the past ten
years he has been foreman and assistant chief of the Flint Fire Department,
having been fifteen years altogether in the department.

  A man of marked ability, Mr. Skinner would make a success of anything to which
he devoted his attention. For two years he worked as a millwright and at bridge
building, assisting to erect the bridges on the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway.
He also worked for six months as a butcher in Flint, for one year in lumbering,
in a sawmill, besides engaging in log driving on the river, etc. After he
started out in business he was sick for about eight months, and during that time
not only expended all his earnings but at the time of his recovery was $900 in
debt. As soon as he regained his health he started out with renewed energy and
determination, and during the past four years has not only paid off his entire
indebtedness, but has gained a solid reputation as a reliable business man, in
the possession of a comfortable competency acquired by his own efforts.

  On an accompanying page will be found a lithographic portrait of Mr. Skinner.


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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