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Portrait and biographical record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago - 1893

Page 126-127

    LUTHER WHITNEY, a retired merchant of Muskegon, was born July 26,
1815, in Gilsum, Cheshire County, N.H.  His ancestors came from England
to America in 1635.  His grandfather, SAMUEL WHITNEY, served as one of
the heroes of the Revolution.  The father, LUTHER WHITNEY, Sr., was
born in Gilsum in 1791, and was a merchant and manufacturer.  He 
married BETSY DART, also a native of Gilsum, and in 1827 removed
with his family to Lawrence County, N.Y., where he spent his re-
maining days.

    Our subject was the eldest child of a family of four.  He re-
mained in the old Granite State until twelve years of age and then
accompanied his parents to New York, where he grew to manhood and
completed his education in the district school and by a two-years
course in St. Lawrence Academy.  After starting out in life for
himself he came to the West and for a time engaged in clerking in
a dry-goods store in Green Bay, Wis.  He afterward spent one winter
in a lumber camp, and subsequently we find him in Kenosha, Wis.,
where he remained for several years, engaged in merchandising and
in dealing in lumber.  He also engaged in the grain business for
a time then went to Detroit, Mich., where he devoted his energies
to the manufacture of washboards about one year.  Returning to
Kenosha, he there remained during the three succeeding years, and
in 1864 he came to Muskegon.  Accepting a position as book-keeper
in the lumber business of GIDEON TRUESDELL, he remained in that
business from 1864 until 1873.

    Mr. WHITNEY was married in November, 1843, the lady of his
choice being Miss REBECCA J. IRWIN, of Green Bay, Wis., and a
daughter of ROBERT IRWIN.  She was born in that city and there
spent the days of her maidenhood.  By their union they have be-
come the parents of three children, of whom two are now living:
GEORGE B., a contractor and builder and civil engineer, now 
residing in Chicago; and THOMAS D., who also resides in Chicago
and is now traveling auditor for Armour & Co.

    In early life Mr. WHITNEY was an old-line Whig, but on the
organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and has
since fought under its banner.  He was one of the members of
Kenosha Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Kenosha, Wis., but has taken no
very prominent part in social and public affairs, preferring to
devote his time and attention to his business interests.  In 1875,
he was appointed Postmaster of Muskegon, under Gen. GRANT, and
held the office for twelve consecutive years under Presidents
Arthur and Hayes.  That he promptly and faithfully performed his
duties, and administered the affairs of the office to the satis-
faction of the general public, is well indicated by his long
continued service.  Several other public offices have been 
tendered him but he refused to accept.  He is now a stockholder
in the Hackley National Bank, the National Lumberman's and the
Muskegon Savings Bank.  Mr. WHITNEY is now practically living
retired in the enjoyment of the rest which he has so truly 
earned and richly deserves.  His life has been a busy and useful
one and his public and private career are alike above reproach.
His success is due to his own industrious and well-directed
efforts, and he may truly be called a self-made man.  Mrs.
WHITNEY is a member of the Congregational Church.
      
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