Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Colton, Byron G. July 9, 1822 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 12, 2008, 10:10 pm

Author: Chapman Bros., Chicago

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.


Additional Comments:
1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co.

Chapman Brothers, Chicago

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/osceola/bios/colton1000gbs.txt

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