Portrait and biographical album of Ingham and Livingston counties, Michigan, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties ... the governors of the state and of all the presidents of the United States.

178

CYRUS GRAY LUCE.

Mr. Luce purchased eighty acres of wild land near
Gilead, Branch Co., Mich., the improvement of
which he at once entered upon, clearing away the
trees and otherwise making arrangements for the
establishment of a homestead. In August, 1849, he
was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Dickinson,
of Gilead, and the young people immediately commenced housekeeping in 'a modest dwelling on the
new farn. Here they resided until the death of the
wife, which took place in August, 1882. Mrs.
Luce was the daughter of Obed and Experience
Dickinson, well-to-do and highly respected residents
of Gilead. Of her union with our subject there
were born five children, one now deceased.
In Noveml)er, 1883, Gov. Luce contracted a second marriage, with Mrs. Mary Thompson, of Bronson, this State. He continued on the same farm,
which, however, by subsequent purchase had been
considerably extended, until after his election to the
office of which he is now the incumbent. In the
meantime he has hiad a wide and varied experience
in public life. In 1852 he was elected to represent his
township in the County Board of Supervisors, and
two years later, in 1854, was elected Representative to
the first Republican Legislature convened in the State
of tMichigan. He served his township altogether
eleven years as a mem ber of the Board of Supervisors.
In 1858 lie was elected County Treasurer of Branch
County and re-elected in 1860. In 1864 he was
given a seat in the State Senate and re-elected in
1866. In the spring of.1867 he was made a member of
the Constitutional Convention to revise the Constitution of the State of Michigan, and in all of the
positions to which he lias been called has evidenced
a realization of the sober responsibilities committed
to his care. To the duties of each he gave the most
conscientious care, and has great reason to feel pride
and satisfaction in the fact that during his service
in both Houses of the Legislatare his name appears
upon every roll-call, he never having been absent
from his post a day.
In July, 1879, Mr. Luce was applointed State Oil
Inspector by Gov. Croswell, and re-appointed by
Gov. Jerome in 1881, serving in this capacity three
and one-half years. In the management of the
duties of this office he is entitled to great credit.
The office was not sought by him, but the Governor

urged him to accept it, c(limiing that the office wns
the most dlifficlt lie ladl to fill, and was one wlich
required first-class executive ability. He organized
the State into districts, appointed an adequate force
of deputies and no more, secured a reduction of the
fees by nearly one-half, and in every way managed
the affairs of the office so efficiently and satisfactorily that above all expenses he was enabled to
pay into the State Treasury during his management
$32,000.4-9.
In August of the year 1886 Mr. Luce was nominated by the Republicans in convention assembled
at Grand Rapids, for the office of Governor of
Michigan by,acclamation, and on the 2d of November following was elected by a majority of 7,432
over his chief competitor, George L. Yaple. In
1874 he became an active member of the farmers' organization known as the Grange. Believing
as lie does that agriculture furnishes the basis of
National prosperity, lie was anxious to contribute to
the education and elevation of the farming community, and thus availed himself of the opportunities offered by this organization to aid in accomplishing this result. For a period of seven years lie
was Master of the State Grange but resigned the
position last November. Fidelity to convictions,
close application to business, whether agricultural or
affairs of State, coupled with untiringi industry, are
his chief characteristics. As a farmer, legislator
executive officer, and manager of county as well as
State affairs, as a private as well as a public citizen.
his career has all along been marked with success
No one can point to a spot reflecting discredit ir
his public career or private life. He is a man of
the people, and self-made in the strictest sense. His
whole life has been among the people, in full syvnpatly with them, and in their special confidence and
esteem.
Personally, Gov. Cyrus G. Luce is high-mindecd,
intellectual and affable, the object of 1emany
1and warm friendships, and (a man iii all respects
-above reproach. To the duties of his Iighl position
he has brought a fitting dignity, and in all the re.
lations of life that conscientious regard to duty of
which we often read but which is too seldom,eel.
especially among those having within their land.s
the interests of State and Nation,