The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-10-02
Death of David M. Estey.

Estey which was received in this city
early Sunday morning came as great
surprise to nearly everyone. The fact
that he had been sick for several weeks
at New Haven, Conn, was known to
but few, and it was not thought he was
sick enough to summon his son until
late Saturday afternoon. Mr.. Estey
started east on the Sunday morning
train, going only as far as Detroit when
he was summoned back by dispatch
received here announcing the death of
his father at two o'clock that morning.
David M. Estey was born in Hinsdale,
Cheshire Co, NJ H., Feb. 8, 1S42, of
Scotch Irish parentage, being descend
ant of Isaac Estey one of the first set
tiers OF Royalston, Mass. His youth
was passed principally in Vermont, his
school opportunities limited to the dis
trict school, and when only mere boy
he engaged in numbering for himself.
He cut the timber. hauled it to mill and
sawed it himself on one of the old
fashioned New England gate sawmills.
He continued along this line of work
until 1S65-serving in the meantime with
Vermont regiment in the Civil war
when he came to this county and located
at West Haven, where he commenced
the manufacturing of furniture. In
1875 he removed to this city and in
company with the late Gen. Jacob
Estey, and Mr.. Charles E. Rigley, or
ganized the Estey Manufacturing Co.,
with which he was connected actively
until few years ago. Mr.. Estey saw
the business grow from very small be-
ginning until the concern came to be
known as one of the leading furniture
making establishments in the country.
During most Of the time he served as
president of the Company. In 1900 he
severed his active connection with the
Company and soon after engaged in
mining enterprises which have since
taken his attention. He founded the
town of Estey, New Mexico, and took
quite colony of Owosso people there to
assist in developing his mineral claims
Disposing of part of his interests there
he returned to Owosso and a year ago
left for Boston and other eastern points
to give his time to other mining enter
prises in which he was interested. At
the time of his death he was president
of the Dividend Mining and Milling Co.,
of New Haven, Conn.
During the years in which he was
with the EsteY Mfg. Co. he was also
active in many other lines his business
interests being widely scattered. He
organized the Estey Carriage Co, was
president of the Owosso Savings Bank,
one of the founders of the Shiawassee
Savings and Loan Association, engaged
in the manufacture of lumber at Estey
named in his honor-and Pinconning,
and had interests in various other
branches of business. He served one
term as mayor of Owosso, was mem
ber of the committee which had charge
of the work Of constructing the water
plant member of the first water board
and in fact active in every thing which
tended to the upbuilding of the city.
He was regular attendant at the Bap-
tist church and for many years served
as trustee of that organization. Mr..
Estey had unbounded faith in the
future growth and prosperity of Owosso
and for years was one Of the most per-
sistent of all our citizens in pushing
plans to secure manufacturing enter
prises and to build up all the interests
of the city. Owosso owes much to MIR.
Estey along these lines. That he would
of done still more if business reversals
had not come to him following the
panic of '9S-3 is not doubted by any one
Neither is the fact doubted that if he
had lived few years longer he would
more than have made good all financial
losses.
Death was caused by rheumatic fever.
He is survived by his wife. one son, Mr..
O. b. Estey, vice president of the Estey
Mfg Co., and one daughter, Mrs. j. NJ
Bryson. Mrs. Estey and Mrs. Bryson
were with him during his sickness, Mr..
Bryson being in Mexico looking after
the mining interests of Mr.. Estev and
himself. The remains were brought to
this city Wednesday evening and were
met at the train by members of Owosso
Lodge f. & A. NJ. of which deceased
was member. The funeral services
were held at the family residence yes
terday afternoon, Rev. E. L. Little, of
Alpena, former pastor of the Baptist
church, officiating. The attendance
was large, the home being filled with
friends who desired to pay their last re-
spects to the dead-many being old en-
ployees of the Estey Co. The city Off
cials, the employees of the Estey Mfg.
Co. and the business men attended the
services in body.
The floral tributes We're unusually
beautiful, among which were the fol-
lowing, Emploves of the Fstev factories