Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-10-10
Hon. w. L. Churchill.
From the Detroit Free Pres

From the Detroit Free PreSS.
Hon. w. l.. Churchill, the Democratic
nominee for congress In the tenth district,
Is one OF the best known and most re-
spected Of Michigan's business men. He
was born at Batavia, H., ilfty-four years
ago. His ancestry came to this land OF
freedom In the Mayiiower, and the spirit
Of his forefathers Is made manifest In the
name bestowed upon him. His great
grandfather fought in the war Of the rev.
olution, and his grandfather in the war Of
1912 and afterwards was commanding Of
flee In the New York militia. Mr.. Worthy
L. ChurchilPs education was obtained In
common schools, and his life has been
mainly spent In the state OF his nativity
and Michigan. In 1859, with the spirit or
adventure OF the time, he drove an OK
team across the plains to California, re-
NAMED there about two years, and return
ed to Chicago In 1861, engaging in the
wholesale grocery business as travelling
salesman, where he saved enough money
| to engage In the lumber business In
Chicago In the year 1868, remaining there
until about the time of the great fire In
| 1871, when he became interested In a
lumber mill In Alpena, removing there
soon after, which business he has contln-
ued up to the present time, In company
with his brother, Mr.. ii. ID. Churchill.
In 1888 their mill burned, but In the face
of the fact that the time was soon coming
when there would be no more timber to
manufacture, 1t was rebuilt. This mill
Is perfect In its equipment, and has al.
ways been kept In first-class repair, and
every precaution taken that his employees
may have a safe and convenient place In
which to work.
During all the years he has been all en-
ployer OF labor he has always paid his Ia
borers promptly, and In cash, being one
Of the first to adopt the two weeks pay
day system, and there are men In his en-
ploy to-day who have been with him for
years. Never at any time have his men
found it necessary to strike or demand
greater wages, but he has always been
among the first to raise their wages when
ever practicable. He has never had q
strike In his mill or been sued for wages.
In 1874 he was elected to represent his
district In the state Legislature, and he
travelled not by the grace OF some railroad
manager, but at his own expense to the
capital, where he served his constituency
with steadfastness, earnestness, honesty,
and ability, meriting and receiving the ap-
proval Of all classes Of people. In 1881
he was elected mayor of Alpena, was re-
elected in 1882, and during his admins
tration OF the Office gave entire satisfac-
ton. During these years Alpena pros
pered; her people recognized In him their
intelligent, conscientious servant, who
respected the rights Of all and labored for
the advancement Of the municipality, of
its every interest and of all her people.
| In 1892 he was chosen presidential
elector, and was one Of the five men to
cast an electoral vote for Michigan for a
Democratic president for the first time
In thirty years.
He Is one Of the owners of the famed
Churchill" hotel, and the multitude OF
people who have enjoyed his hospitality
speak his praise. He Is owner of farm
in Alpena county, In which he has taken
great interest. Jerseys" are his favor.
ite He has taken active interest i'm the
agricultural fairs of his county, and In
many ways advanced the farming in
terests Of Alpena and surrounding coun.
ties.
There is no public enterprise in Alpena
In which he has not taken prominent
part He Is thorough business man.
able, progressive, prompt and reliable.
He attends and is member OF the
Episcopal church. No worthy charitable
work but has found him ready to aid It,
He is liberal to all worthy objects, and
In tho bestowal of goodness knows al
men as his neighbors and counts them as
his friends He believes i'm the Goo
given right Of every man to worship his
creator as his conscience dictates, an6
openly expresses his belief.
His qualifications for the Office to which
he has been unanimously nominated are
unquestionable. He was the choice Of
his party-he is the choice of more thar
his party, and he deserves election.