Notes:
CHARLES McCARTY, the most extensive dealer in groceries and general produce in Lowell, Kent county, Mich., was born in Canada, May 19, 1846, and is a son of John and Sarah (Vandecarr) McCarty, the former of whom was a native of Rochester, N. Y., was a farmer, and from New York went to near Brantford, Canada, where he reside'd several years, and in 1849 came to Michigan, settled in Keene township, Ionia county, and there was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in October, 1888. Charles McCarty, the subject proper of this sketch, was but three years old when brought to Michigan by his parents, with whom he remained, assisting on the home farm until fourteen years old. His education was of the most meager description, as far as schools are concerned, and his present rich store of knowledge is self-acquired through his contact with the world. His first business experience was under his brother, N. L., a merchant at Lowell, Mich., whom he served as a general utility boy and clerk, at $8 per month, until seventeen years old, when he enlisted in the First Michigan engineers and mechanics, under Col. Ennis, of Grand Rapids, and served valiantly and faithfully until the close of the Civil war, and during his service was under Gen. Sherman in his famous march to the sea and in all the fierce engagements that took place between Atlanta, Ga., and the surrender of Johnston, and later took part in the grand review at Washington, D. C., in May, 1865. On his return from the war to Kent county he worked as a farm hand one year, and was otherwise employed until 1869, when he reentered the employ of his brother, and at the end of twelve years was able to purchase a half-interest in the business. Four weeks later, his brother died, and he purchased the remaining half for $2,400, his reputation having become so good that he was able to raise that amount on his own paper. His business prospered, and he promptly discharged his obligation. In the meantime, however, John Young, of Grand Rapids, had become a partner, but this partnership lasted six months only, as Mr. McCarty bought Mr. Young's share in the business for $2,800. March 27, 1899, Mr. McCarty opened his store in Lowell, under the firm-name of Charles McCarty & Co., his partners being Charles H. Alexander and Frank Taylor, who had respectively been in Mr. McCarty's employ as clerks eighteen and sixteen years. They carry a stock of groceries, for retail purposes, valued at $5,000 to $7,000, and produce valued at $3,500, and are the heaviest mercantile firm in Lowell; Mr. McCarty is also extensively engaged in farming, owns,80oo acres of land, and his total transactions reach a value of $!oo,ooo annually. He is likewise a director in the Lowell State bank, and is vice-president and director in the King Milling company, who operate two mills in Lowell. His credit in the banks both at Grand Rapids and Lowell is unlimited, and as a business man his name has never been impeached or his integrity in any way questioned. In connection with his extensive grocery, he uses three distinct warehouses, which are constantly packed with wool, beans, potatoes and every variety of country produce, he being one of the largest buyers in the county of Kent and one of the heaviest shippers, particularly of potatoes and fruit. At the age of twenty-three years Mr. McCarty married Miss Alice Sayles, daughter of Chapin and Eliza (Gardner) Sayles, of Canada, who were parents of fifteen children, five of whom are physicians. Mr. and Mrs. McCarty have seven children born in the following order: William E., Bertha A., Bessie M., Leon J., Deane C., Paul S. and Charles H. The family attend the Baptist church, and Mr. McCarty is a member of the F. & A. M. lodge, No. go; Hooker chapter, No. 73; R. A. M.; and the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise an Odd Fellow, and a member of Joseph Wilson post, No. 87, G. A. R. He is a stanch republican in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Ulysses S. Grant. Socially Mr. and Mrs. McCarty stand very high with their neighbors and the elite of Lowell, and are as highly esteemed for their many merits as individuals as is Mr. McCarty for his enterprise and progressiveness as a man of business.
age 33 in 1880
age 54 in 1900 (states f. from Ireland, m. from Germany)
age 63 in 1910
Name: Charles McCarty , Enlistment Date: 22 August 1864 Side Served: Union State Served: Michigan Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 22 August 1864 at the age of 18
Enlisted in Company H, 1st Engineers Regiment Michigan on 22 August 1864.
Joined Regiment on 31 October 1864
Discharged Company H, 1st Engineers Regiment Michigan on 13 July 1865 in Detroit, MI
The Lowell Mill (flouring) was built on the west bank of Flat River, by Hatch & Craw, in 1867. It is a well and strong built building, three-story frame with basement. On or about Jan. 9, 1880, E. R. Craw sold his interest to his partner, W. W. Hatch, who in turn sold to Stiff & Stiff, June 19, 1881. Stiff & Stiff became involved and the mill fell into the possession of the Lowell National Bank. The property has for several years been leased to different parties at a loss both owner and tenant. In the month of August, 1890, the property was sold at public auction, and was purchased by Frank T. King and Charles McCarty, who have organized a stock company under the name of the King Milling Company, with a capital of $25,000. This company is thoroughly repairing the building, putting in rollers at a cost of $10,000.
Plot #1/27/04, near wife Alice
Alice died
also in the home was 16 year old Anna Bosma who was working as the family servant.
CHARLES McCARTY was born in Canada in 1846. When he was three years of age his parents settled in the township of Keene, Ionia county, Michigan. His boyhood was passed with them until the age of fourteen years, when the aspiring young lad left the home of his childhood to carve out his fortune and shape his future course by his own pluck and energy. At seventeen years of age he enlisted in the army, and continued in the military service until the close of the war. He was with Gen. Sherman in the famous march "from Atlanta to the sea." Later he was engaged in the employment of his brother in the village of Lowell, as a grocery clerk, at the meager salary of $8 per month. Proving faithful and efficient, his -wages were advanced accordingly, and by habits of economy and frugality at the end of twelve years his savings were enough to purchase a half interest in his brother's business. Six weeks later his brother died, and he purchased the remaining interest for $2,400; his standing and credit being such that he was able to hire the money on his own paper. His business prospered, and from the profits he was enabled to discharge his obligations promptly. At the age of twenty-three he married Alice Sayles, daughter of Chapin C. Sayles, a pioneer of Keene, who is yet living at the ripe age of 78 years, and in good health, on the farm which he reclaimed from the wilderness-the father of fifteen children and grandparent of forty-three children. Six children have blessed the home of Charles McCarty, four boys and two girls-Willie McCarty, Bertha A. McCarty, Bessie M. McCarty, Leon J. McCarty, Dean McCarty and Paul S. McCarty; the eldest now sixteen and the youngest four years of age. In 1879 Mr. McCarty joined the Blue Lodge; was made a Sir Knight Templar in 1887, and an Odd Fellow in i888. He is at this writing a Director and Treasurer of the Lowell Agricultural Fair Association, and also President of the Village of Lowell. At the age of forty-four years, he is held in high esteem as an energetic, enterprising, public-spirited man and citizen, and is sole proprietor of one of the largest wholesale and retail grocery, fruit and farm-produce stores in the village. Of affable and pleasing address, and genial disposition, aiming to live and let live, he enjoys the good will of all with whom he comes in contact. From small beginnings his extensive business has grown, through untiring industry and strict integrity, and though hardly yet in his prime he is recognized as among the solid men and leading merchants. A charming wife and an interesting family render his a happy home. His religion is of the practical, every-day sort; rendering him always ready to lend a helping hand to the unfortunate, and to look upon the brightest side of life. Success has crowned his efforts in his business enterprises, as merchant, farmer, stock grower, and now Vice President of The King Milling Company. Physically, he is strong, with great powers of endurance, Apparently he has other years of success and usefulness before him, and his example is one to be emulated by the youth of the country.
village president
CHARLES MCCARTY was born in Canada in 1846. When he was three years of age his parents settled in the township of Keene, Ionia Co., MI His boyhood was passed with them until the age of fourteen years, when the aspiring young lad left the home of his childhood to carve out his fortune and shape his future course by his own pluck and energy. At seventeen years of age he enlisted in the army, and continued in the military service until the close of the war. He was with Gen. Sherman in the famous march "from Atlanta to the sea." Later he was engaged in the employment of his brother in the village of Lowell, as a grocery clerk, at the meager salary of $8 per month. Proving faithful and efficient, his wages were advanced accordingly, and by habits of economy and frugality at the end of twelve years his savings were enough to purchase a half interest in his brother's business. Six weeks later his brother died, and he purchased the remaining interest for $2,400; his standing and credit being such that he was able to hire the money on his own paper. His business prospered, and from the profits he was enabled to discharge his obligations promptly. At the age of twenty-three he married Alice Sayles, daughter of Chapin C. Sayles, a pioneer of Keene, who is yet living at the ripe age of 78 years, and in good health, on the farm which he reclaimed from the wilderness ? the farther of fifteen children and grandparent of forty-three children. Six children have blessed the home of Charles McCarty, four boys and two girls ? Willie McCarty, Bertha A. McCarty, Bessie M. McCarty, Leon J. McCarty, Dean McCarty and Paul S. McCarty; the eldest now sixteen and the youngest four years of age. In 1879, Mr. McCarty joined the Blue Lodge; was made a Sir Knight Templar in 1887, and an Odd Fellow in 1888. He is at this writing a Director and Treasurer of the Lowell Agricultural Fair Association, and also President of the Village of Lowell. At the age of forty-four years, he is held in high esteem as an energetic, enterprising, public-spirited man and citizen, and is sole proprietor of one of the largest wholesale and retail grocery, fruit and farm-produce stores in the village. Of affable and pleasing address, and genial disposition, aiming to live and let live, he enjoys the good will of all with whom he comes in contact. From small beginnings his extensive business has grown, through untiring industry and strict integrity, and though hardly yet in his prime he is recognized as among the solid men and leading merchants. A charming wife and an interesting family render his a happy home. His religion is of the practical, every-day sort; rendering him always ready to lend a helping hand to the unfortunate, and to look upon the brightest side of life. Success has crowned his efforts in his business enterprises, as merchant, farmer, stock grower and now Vice President of The King Milling Company. Physically, he is strong, with great powers of endurance. Apparently he has other years of endurance and usefulness before him, and his example is one to be emulated by the youth of the country.
Sidney C. Bradfield, Russel J. Enos, Francis T. King, Frank T. King, and Charles McCarty organized a lumber company under the firm name of Rusk County Lumber Company, and purchased a large tract of timbered land in Rusk county, Wisconsin. They established sawmills and were thus engaged for some years, until the timer was exhausted.
a home with no mortgage
filed for Civil War Pension. Application #844440; Certificate #1037290; Attorney: A. Jackson; remarks: C2547967
a home paid in full
Data source is Marie Owen. E-mail MarieOwen@hughes.net