My Genealogy Hound

ANSON F. BITHER, Superintendent of the Niles Paper Company, was born in Albany, N. Y., on the 13th of February, 1846, being the son of John and Frances (Spath) Bither. His father learned the trade of a weaver in his native country, Germany, whence he emigrated to America in 1830, locating in Albany and there engaging in the manufacture of paper for twenty-five years. He is still living and makes his home on a farm in Columbia County, N. Y.; his wife died in 1870.

The parental family consisted of eight children, seven of whom still survive, Anson F. being the eldest. Two of the brothers reside in Muskegon, Mich., one being a merchant and the other the American Express Agent in that city. Another brother is a farmer in New York State. The boyhood days of our subject were passed in Albany and Chatham, N. Y., where he attended school for a short time. At the age of eleven years he became an employe in a paper-mill in New York, where he remained until reaching his twentieth year. Then going West to Wisconsin, he located at Beloit and built the Beloit Strawboard Company’s works, remaining for two years in the employ of the Rock River Paper Company, of that place, they being connected with the above company. Later he worked for the same company in Marshall, Mich., and for six years conducted an extensive business in the manufacture and sale of roofing, carpet-lining and building paper.

For two years Mr. Bither was in Ypsilanti, where he was an employe of the Michigan Paper Company, engaged in the manufacture of manila paper. In 1878 he came to Niles to take the Superintendency of the Niles Paper Mill Company, which he still holds. Through his carefully directed efforts the business of the company has been largely increased, better facilities for conducting the work have been secured, and the entire management placed under perfect system. While his business duties require his almost undivided attention, Mr. Bither maintains an intelligent interest in public affairs and gives his support to all enterprises originated on behalf of the community in general. He has served as President of the Building and Loan Association. Socially, he is identified with Berrien County Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., Encampment No. 3, at Niles, and the Select Knights. In 1869 Mr. Bither married Miss Rachel Mangold, of Chicago, the daughter of George H. Mangold. They are the parents of two children, Fred H. and Bernice M., the former being Superintendent of the Allegan Paper Mills. In politics a Republican, Mr. Bither has been elected on the ticket of that party to numerous positions of responsibility. For two years he served as Alderman, representing the Third Ward in the City Council, and his service in that position was eminently satisfactory to his constituents. As the result of good judgment in business investments, he has accumulated a competency and owns three handsome residences in the city of Niles, besides other valuable property.