JAMES F. BALBIRNIE. One of the oldest business establishments of the city of Muskegon
has been conducted continuously under the name of BALBIRNIE for upwards
of half a century. James. F. BALBIRNIE
succeeded to the undertaking business established by his father, and has
developed it until he now has the largest business of its kind in the state of
Michigan. It has been his pride to give
service of distinctive character, and at the same time he has kept his
equipment at a standard the equal of, or the superior to any similar concern in
the city or state. A large building now houses his extensive stock of goods,
and in connection with his undertaking parlors there is a large chapel. It is a solid business enterprise with a
history of its own, which illustrates both the progress of the town and the
career of one of Muskegon’s foremost families.
James.
F. BALBIRNIE was born at Ottawa, Canada, August 8, 1865. His father, the late James Balbirnie, was born in the old Fort
at Quebec, April 28, 1838. At the
expiration of his term as band leading in the army, he moved to Ottawa, where
he organized the band and also was for many years a dancing master. James BALBIRNIE, the father, died at
Muskegon, June 29, 1899. He came to
this city, September 25, 1865, only a few weeks after the birth of his
son. A cabinet-maker by trade, he
superintended several factories, and also did a large business in the
manufacturing of coffins and furniture.
He was very successful both in business and affairs. Though he suffered three fires, and each time
had to start life anew, he ended by being one of the most prosperous and
influential men of the city. He and his
family belong to the Episcopal Church, St. Paul’s Church of Muskegon, and he
was well known in fraternal circles, being a Knight Templar and thirty-second
degree Mason, also a member of the Shrine, was affiliated with the Knights of
the Maccabees, the Royal Arcanum, was a past Noble Grand of the Independent
Order of the Odd Fellows. In politics, a Republican, he held a high
position in political affairs. For a number of years, he was county coroner of
Muskegon County, was city supervisor, and in 1899, was elected mayor. While serving in that office he was
assassinated, and thus ended the career of one of Muskegon’s well remembered
and highly honored citizens.
In 1861 at Ottawa, Canada,
James Balbirnie married Miss Ellen WATSON, who was born at
Ogdensburg, new York, in 1843, and died in April, 1900. Her father, William WATSON, was a
native of Canada, moved to Muskegon on 1865, and for many years was a saw filer
in the lumber mills. To the marriages
of James and Ellen BALBIRNIE were born three children: Missie, who died in 1883; James F.; and Maud
E. who married R. E. ALBERTS, who is in the lumber and brick business at
Muskegon.
James
F. BALBIRNIE has spent practically al his career in Muskegon. After his education in the local schools, he
went with his father in the undertaking business. His father had opened undertaking parlors in Muskegon, on his
arrival in that city in 1865, and the business has been continuously conducted
under the family name since that date.
Mr. Balbirnie has extended and developed the business along
modern lines, now carries the largest line of undertaking goods in the state,
and has been extremely successful as a businessman.
On
January 1, 1891, Mr. BALBIRNIE married Adella BERGSTROM, of
Muskegon. They are the parents of one
son, Ralph James, now twenty-one years of age, and associated with his father
in business being thus a representative of the third successive generation in
this same line of endeavor. The son
received his education in the Muskegon high school and also studied at the
Tolme School for Boys near Baltimore, Maryland and at the Casadella School at
Ithaca, New York. The family worship in
the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Mr. BALBIRNIE,
like his father, has taken many of the degrees in the Masonic craft, being a
Knight Templar and a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, also a Shriner,
has affiliations with the Knight of Pythias, and is a charter member of the
Elks Lodge No. 274. He also belongs to
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and
the fraternal Order of Eagles. In
politics, he is a Republican, and for the past fourteen years has served as
coroner of Muskegon County, having been elected by the largest majority given
to any man on the ticket in this county.
Outside of his private duties, he gives all his time and attention to
his business.