William P.
          Nesbitt
          Contributed by Sharon Komraus


          William P. Nesbitt, editor and proprietor of the Big Rapids Herald, was born in London, Eng., May 9,1847, and is a son of Thomas P. and Eliza Nesbitt.

          In 1861 he came to the United States in company with his parents, who settled in New York, and two years later removed to Pontiac, Oakland Co., Mich. The call for the last troops to aid in quelling the Southern Rebellion was made just previous to the eighteenth birthday of Mr. Nesbitt, and he enlisted as a recruit for the 16th Mich. Inf., then actively engaged at the front. He was in the United States service but a short time, being mustered out in June 1865, at Jackson, Mich.

          In January, 1869, Mr. Nesbitt founded and commenced publishing the Pontiac Bill Poster, which he continued until1876, when ill health necessitated a change, and he sold out his interest in the publisher, but remained its political editor until the close of the Presidential campaign of 1880. Under his management the paper became a widely circulated and influential Democratic organ. He became well known in the politics of the State of Michigan, and was twice chosen Secretary of the State Democratic Convention. In his own section he was a leader in politics, and was during six years Chairman of the Oakland County Democratic Committee. He has always been a declared Democrat, and was one of the first to oppose and actively combat the Greenback movement in Michigan.

          He was elected Alderman of his ward when 21 years old, and served two terms subsequently as Supervisor. He was Chief Engineer of the Pontiac Fire Department, with which he was connected a number of years, and filled acceptably other positions of trust while a resident of Pontiac, which covered a period of 17 years.

          On leaving there he spent a short time in Colorado. After visiting other parts of the West, he came to Big Rapids, and in the spring of 1882 purchased the Big Rapids Herald, and again settled himself in the publishing business. The Herald is rapidly improving under his management, and is fast becoming an influential and profitable country newspaper.