Heritage \ Writings \

John G. Emery (1858-?)
Born in Wisconsin, raised in Bay City, later moved to Muskegon.

History of Bay County, Michigan - Moore, 1915.

JOHN G. EMERY, JR.
_______

One of the leading Muskegon manufacturers and business men is John G. Emery, Jr., a resident of the city for more than twenty years, is well known in banking circles, and was until recently, secretary and treasurer of the Shaw Electric Crane Company. All of his active career has been identified with practical affairs, his father before him was a manufacturer, and skilled machinist, and Mr. Emery's success has been gained solely on merit and accomplishment.

John G. Emery, Jr., was born at Peshtigo, Marinette county, Wisconsin, August 20, 1858. His parents were John G. and Martha H. (Waterhouse) Emery. His grandfather Temple Emery died at the age of thirty years in the state of Maine. The maternal grandfather, Abraham Waterhouse lived and died in the same state. Both parents were natives of Maine, the father born in 1828, and the mother in 1829. They were married in 1855, and in the following year moved to Wisconsin, where they were among the early settlers. The father was a millwright, built a number of sawmills, and later took up the manufacture of sawmill machinery. His death occurred in 1893, while his wife passed away in 1907.

In 1864 he move to Bay City, Michigan, which was his home until 1887, and from that time until his death was in Minneapolis, where he was engaged in the granite business. Though a Republican in politics, the senior Mr. Emery never participated in practical politics. There were three children, two of whom are now living. The daughter, Helen, is the widow of R. H. Minty.

The early education of John G. Emery, Jr., was received in Bay City public schools. His first experiences were a a logger. In association with his father he learned the millwright trade and did much work in the building of sawmills and the manufacture of sawmill machinery. With a varied experience in manufacturing lines, and with some capital, Mr. Emery moved to Muskegon in 1891, and since that time has been closely identified with commercial and industrial affairs in this city. The Shaw Electric Crane Company, of which he was one of the organizers, and secretary and treasurer, employs about four hundred men and manufacture a large line of overhead cranes. Its product goes all over the world. For over twenty years Mr. Emery has been a director of the Lumberman's National Bank of Muskegon, and is now vice president; has served on the board of education for twelve years; was one of the projectors of the Grand Rapids & Muskegon Power Company, for a number of years was its treasurer, and now director; was sixteen years director of the Chamber of Commerce, and his name and influence have been valuable in forwarding many movements of business and civic importance.

In 1883 Mr. Emery married Genevieve H. Wilson of Columbus, Ohio. His fraternal associations are with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in politics he is a Republican.

Note: See "Emery & Garland Co." for brief biography of father.

Additional Notes.

1870 – Census: Bangor, Bay Co., Mich.

• Emery, John G. - age 43, b. Maine, lumberman, (father)
• Martha, wife – age 40, b. Maine
• John, son – age 11, b. Wisc.
• Kittie, dau. - age 9, b. Wisc.
• Helen, dau. - age 7, b. Wisc.

  1880 – Census: Bay City, Mich.

• Emery, John G. - b. 1829 Maine.
• Martha, wife – b. 1830 Maine
• John G., son – b. 1859 Wisc.
• Catherine A, dau – b. 1861 Wisc.
• Helen L. - dau. - b. 1863 Wisc.

  1886/87 – Directory: Bay City, Mich.

• Emery, John G., 615 N. Grant.

  1887 – Minnesota Deaths: Minneapolis.

• John G. Emery, b. 1822, Maine, son of Temple and Diana Emery, died March 9, 1887.

  1900 – Census: Muskegon, Mich.

• Emery John G. (Jr.) - b. Aug. 1858 Wisc.
• Geniveve, wife – b. Sep. 1859 Ohio
• Martha, mother – b. Nov. 1835 Maine
• Catherine, sister – b. Sep. 1863 Wisc.