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| EDWARD F. SHANKWILER, miller, Big Rapids, was born July 28, 1853, in Seneca Co., N.Y. His father, Dewitt P. Shankwiler, was born in the same county, Nov. 25, 1823, of German lineage. His mother, Mary J. (Thomas) Shankwiler, was a native of the same place, born in 1825. Mr. Shankwiler was brought up on his father's farm, receiving a good education and graduated at the University of Rochester, N.Y., in 1872. He came to Michigan in 1877, and in company with J.P. Burroughs, rented a flouring mill at Hersey, Osceola Co., where they operated a year. Mr. Shankwiler came to Big Rapids and bought the Mecosta County Flouring Mills, situated on Ryan Creek, one and a half miles southeast of the city, admitting D.L. Garling as a partner. The business has proved a success, its demands requiring three assistants. In May 1883, Mr. Shankwiler rented his interest to his partner and turned his attention principally to real estate. He erected and owns a residence on South Ives avenus, is the owner of several city lots, and of 116 acres of land on sec. 24, Big Rapids Tp. Mr. Shankwiler was married in Seneca Co., N.Y., Feb. 20, 1880, to Annie B., daughter of David and Mary Selmser, born Nov. 9, 1856, at Amsterdam, N.Y. They have two children, both born at Big Rapids; Eleanor May, Jan. 12, 1881, and Donald, Jan. 13, 1883. |