History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

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HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

facturers of automobile and carriage bodies, the vice-president of which,
Frank G. Sutherland, has had an interesting career. Starting in at the
bottom of the ladder, thoroughly mastering the principles of the business,
and working his way upward step by step, he has at length reached a
position of prominence among the able business men of his city and is
thoroughly deserving of the high esteem and regard in which he is held.
Mr. Sutherland is a native of Canada, born in the Province of Ontario,
June 9, I860. His parents, Frank G. and Elizabeth (Caddy) Sutherland, were natives of Scotland, and reared and educated in that country.
Some time after their marriage they emigrated to Canada, and there Mr.
Sutherland engaged in agricultural pursuits and in railroad building. He
remained in Canada until 1893, when he retired from active pursuits and
came to Flint, in which city he made his home until his death, March 31,
I914, aged ninety-two years. The mother, who has also reached the age
of ninety-two years, is still active and alert in body and mind. They have
been the parents of eight children, of whom Frank G. is the seventh in
order of birth.
Frank G. Sutherland obtained his early education in the country
schools of Canada, and early started to work in the carriage manufacturing business at London, Canada. There he made the most of his
opportunities, thoroughly mastering the details of the business which he
had chosen for his life work, and in I889 came to Flint, immediately securing employment with the Stewart Carriage Company, the only concern
with which he has been connected since his arrival. He commenced his
identification with this enterprise in a very modest capacity, gradually
arose to the position of foreman, and held it at the time that the entire
force of the company consisted of sixteen men, and has continued to
advance until today he is the vice-president of a company employing one
hundred and eighty-five men. The product of this factory consists of
bodies for automobiles and carriages, commands a widespread trade, and
caters only to the highest class of business. The factory is of modern
character and is thoroughly equipped with the best and most highly improved machinery. Mr. Sutherland, in his management of the business,
has shown himself acute, shrewd and far-seeing, and his associates have
every reason to have the utmost confidence in his ability. Having attained success himself, he is ever ready to assist others to prosperity, and
is known as one of his city's successful men. His popularity is general,
he having friends in all walks of life. Politically a Republican, Mr.
Sutherland has served in the capacity of police commissioner for eight
years, from I904 to I912. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias
and of the Blue Lodge and Chapter of Masonry.
On October 21, I903, Mr. Sutherland was married at Flint, to Miss
Lena Dunbar, a daughter of James L. Dunbar, a member of an old
and prominent pioneer family. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have had no
children.
MERRITT O. DEWEY. Three generations of the Dewey family have
been residents of Jackson thus far, and the fourth generation is now growing up within the city. Of this family, Merritt O. Dewey is a splendid
example of the New England thrift and sturdy ambition that have marked
others of the family, and his record is one of which he may well be proud,
representing as it does achievements that have been wrested from the
grasp of Fortune.
Mr. Dewey was born in Jackson county, as was also his father before
him, and his paternal grandfather, Timothy Dewey, came to Jackson
county in 1836 from the state of New York, though he was a native of
the state of Vermont. He was a first cousin of the late Admiral George