Major C. E. Storrs—Portrait and Biographical Record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties
In 1893, the Portrait and Biographical Record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties published the following:
"Major Charles E. Storrs, proprietor of Storrs' Vineyard, and a prominent citizen of North Muskegon, was born in West Moriah Township, Essex County, N.Y., on the 3d of Sp[September, 1833. He is an honored representative of a patriotic family that has furnished many valiant soldiers to tour county in time of need. His father, Elijah Storrs, a native of Middletown, Conn., served with courage and efficiency during the War of 1812, and from the rank of Ensign was promoted to Captain as a reward for meritorious conduct at the battle of Plattsburg. In 1834 he removed as far West as Summit County, Ohio where he located on a farm in Northfield, Township. Thence, in 1864, he came to Michigan and settled in Grand Haven where he died at the age of eighty-four.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph Storrs, was a native of Connecticut and served in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary War. He was of Welsh descent. The mother of our subject was Julia Holcomb, and her father served with the famous Green Mountain boys during the War of the Revolution. She was born and reared in Vermont, and after a happy wedded life of fifty-nine years passed to final rest at the age of four-score and two years. The Holcomb family originated in England.
Elijah Storrs and his good wife were the parents of ten children, seven of who attained mature years, namely: Clark N., a resident of North Muskegon; Wales F. deceased; Harriet W., the wife of C. H. Dunbar, of Brecksville, Ohio; Carlton L., of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Eliza A., the widow of Charles Reynolds, and a resident of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; Maria L., the wife of James H. Coates, of Brecksville, Ohio; and Charles E., the subject of this biographical notice. The last named is the youngest surviving member of the family. At the time his parents removed to Summit County, Ohio, he was about six months old, and his boyhood years were passed upon his father's farm.
September 24, 1854, our subject was untied in marriage with Miss Maria Van Noate, a native of Independence, Ohio, and immediately after their marriage the young couple came to Michigan and settled in Grand Rapids, where they spent the winter if 1854-1855. Removing from that city to Clinton County, Iowa, there resided there until 1858, when the returned to Michigan and located in Blendon Township, Ottawa County. For two years Mr. Storrs was engaged in the mill and lumber business in Ottawa County, and in the spring of 1861 he purchased a one-half interest in a sawmill there.
Shortly after the opening of the Civil War, Mr. Storrs enlisted in Company B, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, and in 1862 went to the front in the capacity of Supernumerary SEcond lieutenant. On the 16th of March, 1863, he was promoted to Second lieutenant, and on the 17th of July, 1863, was commissioned as Captain. He continued in that rank until he was promoted to Major, on the 6th of February 1865, and was serving in that position at the time of his discharge. He participated actively in many engagements, and at Newby's Cross Roads, July 24, 1863, was wounded in the left shoulder by a minie-ball. He was honorably discharged at Leavenworth, Kan., October 10, 1865, and on being mustered out of the service returned to his home in Ottawa County.
Resuming his lumbering and milling business, which he had temporarily discontinued, Maj. Storrs was thus engaged until 1876, when he disposed of his interests in Ottawa County and removed to Eden Township, Mason County, this State. There for a number of years he made his home on a farm. In 1882 he came to North Muskegon in the capacity of book-keeper for the C. N. Storrs Lumber Company, a position which he filled acceptably. In 1886 he, with Frank Storrs, purchased the Peninsula Fruit Farm, the name of which they changed to Storrs’ Vineyard. This fine farm is devoted to the raising of fruits, a business in which the Major is particularly well informed. Twenty acres are planted in a vineyard, while three acres are devoted to garden, the balance, twenty seven acres, being woodland. From thirteen to forty-five tones of grapes each season are raised, and the grapes, for flavor and quality are unsurpassed, if equaled, in the State.
The Major and his wife have a family of three children: Alice J., wife of Leroy A. Franklin, of Grand Rapids; Frank, who aids in the cultivation of the fruit farm; and Maggie, wife of Elliott D. Prescott, a resident of Ravenna, Mich. Major Storrs cast his first ballot in Ohio in 1854, and has been a Republican ever since the inception of that party. In 1875 he represented Blendon Township on the Board of Supervisors of Ottawa County, and he also served as Township Clerk and Highway Commissioner while residing there. In Eaton Township, Mason County, he served as Supervisor during the years 1877, 79, 80, and 1881, and was a member of the Board of School Examiners of Mason County. He served as Supervisor of the township of Laketon, Muskegon County, in 1882 and 1887, and for one year filled the position of Assessor of North Muskegon. He also served as Alderman of North Muskegon for one year. Socially, he is identified with Amos E. Steele Post No. 280, G. A. R., at North Muskegon, and has frequently served as Commander of the post. In addition to local duties, he has been Inspector of the Department of Michigan of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is Food and Dairy Commissioner of the State."
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Updated January 17, 2006