CHARLES S. CHOATE, JR. One of the most prominent men in social
and financial circles of Erie township, Monroe county, Michigan, is
Charles S. Choate, Jr. Industry and intelligence have brought success to him. By his own efforts he has worked his way up from a position of telegraph operator to that of agent for the P. M. railroad, and
of manager for the Toledo Grain Milling Company elevator. Holding
the high and assured position he now does in the society by which
he is surrounded he is a good type of the self-made man of which,
as one of her individual products, America is so justly proud.
Several generations back Mr. Choate's ancestors were of English
birth, but on his father's side as far back as his great-grandfather,
Samuel Choate, who came from Canada in 1812, Mr. C. S. Choate's
family has lived in Monroe county, Michigan. Mr. Samuel Choate
and his son Seth both died on Turtle Light. Samuel's son Seth married Jane Parker, and their son, Charles S. was the father of Charles
S., the subject of our sketch. Charles S. Choate, Sr., was born on the
banks of the River Raisin, Monroe township, July 20, 1832, and at
an early age was put out with his uncle Emerson Choate, so that at
the age of ten he did not yet know his letters. At this age, however,
he was sent to school and remained there until he was sixteen. Soon
afterwards he started to work by the month receiving twenty-five
cents for a day for his labor. On December 31, 1856, he was married to Hannah Peters, who was born in Bedford township, October, 1836. They became the parents of six children, all of whom are living, Lucy E., who after an education in the common schools, became
a teacher and later married J. E. Sweete; Terressa, who was also
at one time a teacher and is now the wife of I. J. Havens; Mary J.,
at one time a teacher and now the wife of Edmund Davis; Edith, a
music teacher, and now the wife of P. H. Uckle; Bessie E., a teacher
and now the wife of Dr. E. W. Kelley. Mr. Choate is a Democrat,
and served at one time as a highway commissioner. Both he and his
wife are now living in Erie township.
Charles S. Choate, Jr., received his education first in the common
schools and later in the Agricultural College at Lansing, Michigan.
He then took up telegraphy and was employed for many years as an
operator. He has been with the P. M. railroad for thirteen years,
and has acted as manager of the elevator for five years. On December 25, 1894, he and Isabelle M. Goff were married, and they have
become the parents of two children, Aubrey J., born January 20,
1900, and Merritt G. born September 18, 1906. Mrs. Choate was born
in Belleview, Ohio, October 23, 1867, and received her education in
the common and the Belleview graded schools. She is still a member
of the Congregational church of Belleview. Mr. Choate is a member
of Samaria Lodge 438, A. F. & A. M. at Samaria. Although he prefers the Democratic party he has never taken much active part in politics. He is the owner of the Erie Coal and Tile Yard at Erie, Michigan.
Charles S.
Choate
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