My Genealogy Hound

FRANK H. PLATT. This gentleman, who is the most efficient Secretary and Treasurer of the Benton Harbor Milling Company, is a product of Michigan, born in Berrien county, and the only son and child born to George W. and Jane E. (Crandall) Platt. His father was also born in Berrien County, Mich., but his ancestors for many generations were born in the Old Bay State. The elder Mr. Platt is living retired in Benton Harbor, and he and his estimable wife have a very pleasant home here.

Frank H. Platt received a good practical education in the schools of St. Joseph, and later entered the business college of Bryant & Stratton, at Chicago, Ill., where he graduated in 1878. After finishing his education he was engaged as city buyer for a wholesale carriage hardware house of Chicago, and followed this successfully for two years. Returning to Benton Harbor, he assisted his father in the hardware business from 1882 until 1889, after which he was engaged in other business enterprises for some time. In 1890 he became a member of the Benton Harbor Milling Company, and on the 19th of May of that year he was made Secretary and Treasurer. He was one of the incorporators of the company, which was brought into existence in 1887, with George B. Tatman for President and Norman Sage as Vice-President.

This is one of the most flourishing establishments of Benton Harbor, which holds a place among the leading and most active cities of south-western Michigan. The mill has a capacity of two hundred barrels every twenty-four hours. It is run by steam power, and the produce is shipped all over the country. This business gives employment to many men, experienced in their separate branches, and the building is a decided ornament to the town. It has every device known to milling science, and is up with and ahead of the times. Mr. Platt is a practical and successful business man, and persevering, active and enterprising, he highly deserves the success that has fallen to his lot.

Mr. Platt selected his wife in the person of Miss Jennie Kingsley, a native of St. Joseph, Mich., and the daughter of George W. Kingsley. Their nuptials were celebrated July 17th, 1885, and she died on the 17th of July, 1887, leaving a son, George Fernleigh. On the 25th of October, 1890, Mr. Platt was married to Miss Wilhelmina Meech, of Benton Harbor, and the daughter of Mrs. M. J. Meech, one of the prominent citizens of the place. In his political views Mr. Platt is a Republican and has ever advocated the principles of that party. Socially, he is a Mason, a member of Lake Shore Lodge No. 298 and also of the Knights of Pythias, besides other organizations.