My Genealogy Hound

PETER ENGLISH, Vice-President of the Benton Harbor Association, has for a number of years been identified with almost every enterprise of importance originated for the benefit of the citizens of Benton Harbor and vicinity. His life furnishes an instance of the fact that industry, enterprise and energy, combined with the exercise of sound common-sense and good business judgment, bring to their possessor, almost invariably, a large measure of success. When he emigrated to this country, he had no capital with which to embark in business, but he had an abundance of push and energy, and it was not long before he established himself upon a solid financial footing, and gained a foremost position among the successful businessmen of the community.

Of French descent, Mr. English was born in Canada during the year 1852, being the son of Frank and Zoe (Cheercut) English, who were born in France and thence moved to Canada in 1852. The father died in 1892, in Quebec, Canada. The mother still survives and makes her home in Chicago. Our subject passed his boyhood years in his native land, receiving common-school educational advantages, and developing into a sturdy, ambitious man. After coming to the United States, he settled in Aurora, Ill., where for a time he was engaged at his trade as a machinist, when he built the gas works in opposition to the old gas company in Aurora, Ill. In 1889, he came to Benton Harbor, and very soon became closely identified with the most important enterprises of this place. The present fine system of water works here is due to the efficient manner in which he filled the contract awarded him for its construction.

Mr. English was one of the organizers of the Benton Harbor Association, and is now its Vice-President. In 1890, he organized the Benton Harbor Gas Light Company, and was also the organizer of the Benton Harbor Water Supply Company, and was one of the foremost men in the organization of the Benton Harbor Improvement Company, with all of which enterprises he is prominently connected, having been the chief owner of the two latter. As a citizen he is public-spirited, and many of the improvements of which Benton Harbor now boasts may be traced to his indefatigable labors and good management. In his political affiliations he is in sympathy with the principles of the Republican party, and casts his ballot for the candidates pledged to sustain the interests of the party of his choice. Mr. English was united in marriage in 1871 to Miss Sarah Philips, by whom he had seven children, six still living: Frank, Priscilla, Ralph, Walter, Ida and Gordon P. Freddie is deceased. His second marriage occurred in 1887, to Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis, of Woodstock, Ontario. There are no children by that union.