Arthur Orin Bement was given the advantages of a good education at Fostoria, Ohio. At fourteen he commenced to learn the trade of moulder, earning $3.00 a week making plow points. After a few years he took the cashier position in the store of ex-governor, Charles Foster, of Fostoria. At the age of eighteen, he became a teacher in the Norris District School near Fostoria at a salary of $30.00 a month. After a term, he gave up teaching to help his father in the foundry/machine shop when they commenced the manufacture of plows. In 1869, in the company of his brother, he came to Michigan to work in the moulding shop of Nicholas & Sheperd of Battle Creek. After three months the brothers returned to Fostoria and worked in Maumee City and Toledo, Ohio, for about six months.
In 1869, Arthur and his father removed to Lansing, Michigan, from Fostoria where in partnership with his father and $500, he entered upon a brilliant business career that terminated only with his death. He was president of the corporation of E. Bement's Sons from the time of its incorporation in 1886 until 1904 and later. The firm also owned a hardware store in Lansing. He was head of the firm when it fell on hard times and was dissolved.
In 1876, he purchased the grounds and small residence at 310 South Grand Avenue, where he constructed what was for many years one of the show places of the capitol city, torn down in October, 1939. In 1880, he raised the capital stock of the Lansing Wheelbarrow Company, built its first buildings, and was its first president. The firm became the largest wheelbarrow company in the country and produced 400-500 per day. The Lansing Company, developed later from this firm. He also organized the Lansing Wagon Works ans secured the subscription of stock to put that business on a substantial basis. In 1892, he became President of the Michigan Knitting Company.
Arthur was a member of the first Water Works Board of Lansing City, and continued as a member during the period of its construction (1886-88). In 1893, he was elected Mayor of Lansing and served two terms during which the city, through his leadership, bought out the Local Electric Plant and merged it into the growing Water Works plant. He was a Republican in politics, a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, teacher and superintendent of Sunday School for many years, member of Masonic Lodge No. 33 and Lansing Commandery No. 25 Knights Templar.
After his retirement he remained in real estate and the insurance business until his death.
men are not made only by their age and environment but by heredity, education, and the general rule "like father, like son" holds strikingly well for him. He was truly a pillar of industrial, civic, and religious community.
His first wife, (1) Alice Jenison, was born Aug. 27, 1848, and raised on her father's farm in Eagle, Michigan, and educated in the district schools; and died July 22, 1884 in Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan. His second wife, (2) Vina Lou Mosher, was born Sept. 30, 1855, near Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada, and taught in the public school at Mason, Michigan. She resided with her daughter, Dorothy, at Northampton in her later years. Her memory was excellent as a centurion, and she lived to be 102 years of age, having passed away in 1958 at Northamton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
Obituary of Arthur O. Bement:
THE STATE JOURNAL
Sunday, June 27, 1915
ARTHUR O. BEMENT, FORMER MAYOR OF LANSING, IS DEAD. PIONEER BUSINESS MAN HAD BEEN ILL WITH HEART TROUBLE LAST FOUR MONTHS, CAME HERE IN 1869
Promoted Lansing Wheelbarrow Company, Wagon Works, and assisted in constructing City Water Works System, was Knight Templar.
Arthur O. Bement, one of the city's early mayors and public officials, promoter of a number of local substantial manufacturing institutions and resident of Lansing for nearly half a century, died at his home, 1617 Jerome Street, Tuesday night at 8:15 o'clock, after an illness of nearly four months. Death was due to heart trouble. Funeral arrangements will not be until Tuesday.
Arthur Orin Bement was 67 years of age, havibg been born in Fostoria, Seneca Co., Ohio, on May 22, 1847. In 1869, he came to this city from Fostoria with his father, the late Edward Bement. Father and son located on North Grand Avenue in the implement manufacturing business. The business prospered wonderfully and gradually the firm branched out in its manufacturing operations until its various departments, which covered several acres of land, were not only producing implements, but snow vehicles and stoves. The Bement stove was sold all over the world.
The firm of E. Bement & Sons was gigantic in its operations employing at one time 1,000 men. It had its warehouses all over the United States and its distributing agencies in foreign countries handled thousands of dollars of its products annually.
M. Bement, in 1889, purchased the capital stock of the old Lansing Wheelbarrow Company. He pushed the fortunes of this firm, was its first president, and erected its first building. This concern, which is now known as The Lansing Company, is one of the city's biggest and most substantial manufacturing institutions with a mammoth financial investment, acres of buildings and yards, and products that are sold all over the world.
Later, Mr. Bement interested himself in the financing of the Lansing Wagon Works. He placed the new enterprise on its feet and secured prosperity for it through his business foresight and ability for organization.
When the city decided upon a municipal water works system Mr. Bement was placed upon the board that had the building of it in charge. He remained upon this board until after the plant was completed. In 1889, Mr. Bement was elected mayor of the city. He was re-elected to a second term and during his administration important improvements were made and there was considerable activity in city affairs. While an incumbent of the municipal executive office, the city purchased the electric lighting plant, and the water works and this plant were combined.
Mr. Bement was always a Republican in politics and took a very active part in molding public opinion. He was one of Lansing's most active citizens, both in a business way and civically. He was always a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, affiliated with Lansing Commandery, No. 25, Knights Templar.
The funeral of A. O. Bement will be held at the residence, 1617 Jerome Street, at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. Dr. James S. Williamson, pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church presiding. Internment will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Arthur Orrin Bement. One of the largest plants in the state of Michigan is that of E. Bement Sons at Lansing, Michigan, which in 1871 only employed a force of three men, and today engages an army of employees and turns out yearly over a million dollars' worth of stoves and agricultural implements.
Arthur Orrin Bement, the president of the E. Bement's Sons, manufactures of heating and cooking stoves, agricultural implements, etc., was born in Fostoria, Ohio, May 22, 1847. The boy was given the advantages of a good education in that city, and at the age of 14, he commenced to learn the trade of a moulder, earning $3 a week making plow parts. At the end of five years he left this trade to take the position of cashier in the store of ex-governor Charles Foster, of Fostoria. When 18 years of age he became a teacher in the Norris district school near Fostoria, at a salary of $30 per month, and after the usual fight with the larger scholars necessary to establish his superiority over them, he managed to hold his position through the term.
He gave up teaching to help his father in the machine shop, as the factory at that time commenced the manufacture of plows. He remained at this work until the spring of 1869, when, in company with his brother, he came to Michigan to work in the moulding shop of Nicholas & Shepherd, of Battle Creek. After three months the brothers returned to Fostoria, and during the balance of the year worked in Maumee City and Toledo, Ohio. In September, 1869, father and son came to Michigan in search of a location in which to establish a plant. They first stopped in Grand Rapids, but the establishment for sale there being too large for their capital, they went St. Johns and Owosso, and finally located in Lansing. Here they rented a small foundry and started to manufacture plows and farm kettles. That same summer, they purchased their present site. The father had about $4,000 in money, horses, wagons and past due notes, while A. O. Bement possessed $500 in cash. With this small capital they started their now famous plant. Young Bement looked after the business interests and traveled around the state finding a market for the output of the foundry. In 1878, the business increased to such an extent they were forced to increase their plant, and at the same time they commenced to manufacture stoves. Since that time the plant has had a yearly growth, and over 550 men find employment in it during the year.
Arthur Orrin Bement as elected mayor of Lansing in 1893, and re-elected the following term. He was a member of the Lansing Water Works Board in 1886-88. Mr. Bement married Miss Alice Jenison, daughter of Wm. F. Jenison, October 9, 1873 at Eagle, Michigan. His first wife died in 1884, and in 1887, he married Miss Vina Lou Mosher, of Lansing, Michigan. His eldest son, Edward Jenison Bement is the traveling representative of the firm, and his two daughters, Dorothy and Rosaling, are living at home in Lansing. Mr. Bement has taken all the Masonic degrees, including Knight Templar.
information supplied by Dennis BeMent
Arthur Orin Bement was given the advantages of a good education at Fostoria, Ohio. At fourteen he commenced to learn the trade of moulder, earning $3.00 a week making plow points. After a few years he took the cashier position in the store of ex-governor, Charles Foster, of Fostoria. At the age of eighteen, he became a teacher in the Norris District School near Fostoria at a salary of $30.00 a month. After a term, he gave up teaching to help his father in the foundry/machine shop when they commenced the manufacture of plows. In 1869, in the company of his brother, he came to Michigan to work in the moulding shop of Nicholas & Sheperd of Battle Creek. After three months the brothers returned to Fostoria and worked in Maumee City and Toledo, Ohio, for about six months.
In 1869, Arthur and his father removed to Lansing, Michigan, from Fostoria where in partnership with his father and $500, he entered upon a brilliant business career that terminated only with his death. He was president of the corporation of E. Bement's Sons from the time of its incorporation in 1886 until 1904 and later. The firm also owned a hardware store in Lansing. He was head of the firm when it fell on hard times and was dissolved.
In 1876, he purchased the grounds and small residence at 310 South Grand Avenue, where he constructed what was for many years one of the show places of the capitol city, torn down in October, 1939. In 1880, he raised the capital stock of the Lansing Wheelbarrow Company, built its first buildings, and was its first president. The firm became the largest wheelbarrow company in the country and produced 400-500 per day. The Lansing Company, developed later from this firm. He also organized the Lansing Wagon Works ans secured the subscription of stock to put that business on a substantial basis. In 1892, he became President of the Michigan Knitting Company.
Arthur was a member of the first Water Works Board of Lansing City, and continued as a member during the period of its construction (1886-88). In 1893, he was elected Mayor of Lansing and served two terms during which the city, through his leadership, bought out the Local Electric Plant and merged it into the growing Water Works plant. He was a Republican in politics, a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, teacher and superintendent of Sunday School for many years, member of Masonic Lodge No. 33 and Lansing Commandery No. 25 Knights Templar.
After his retirement he remained in real estate and the insurance business until his death.
men are not made only by their age and environment but by heredity, education, and the general rule "like father, like son" holds strikingly well for him. He was truly a pillar of industrial, civic, and religious community.
His first wife, (1) Alice Jenison, was born Aug. 27, 1848, and raised on her father's farm in Eagle, Michigan, and educated in the district schools; and died July 22, 1884 in Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan. His second wife, (2) Vina Lou Mosher, was born Sept. 30, 1855, near Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada, and taught in the public school at Mason, Michigan. She resided with her daughter, Dorothy, at Northampton in her later years. Her memory was excellent as a centurion, and she lived to be 102 years of age, having passed away in 1958 at Northamton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
Obituary of Arthur O. Bement:
THE STATE JOURNAL
Sunday, June 27, 1915
ARTHUR O. BEMENT, FORMER MAYOR OF LANSING, IS DEAD. PIONEER BUSINESS MAN HAD BEEN ILL WITH HEART TROUBLE LAST FOUR MONTHS, CAME HERE IN 1869
Promoted Lansing Wheelbarrow Company, Wagon Works, and assisted in constructing City Water Works System, was Knight Templar.
Arthur O. Bement, one of the city's early mayors and public officials, promoter of a number of local substantial manufacturing institutions and resident of Lansing for nearly half a century, died at his home, 1617 Jerome Street, Tuesday night at 8:15 o'clock, after an illness of nearly four months. Death was due to heart trouble. Funeral arrangements will not be until Tuesday.
Arthur Orin Bement was 67 years of age, havibg been born in Fostoria, Seneca Co., Ohio, on May 22, 1847. In 1869, he came to this city from Fostoria with his father, the late Edward Bement. Father and son located on North Grand Avenue in the implement manufacturing business. The business prospered wonderfully and gradually the firm branched out in its manufacturing operations until its various departments, which covered several acres of land, were not only producing implements, but snow vehicles and stoves. The Bement stove was sold all over the world.
The firm of E. Bement & Sons was gigantic in its operations employing at one time 1,000 men. It had its warehouses all over the United States and its distributing agencies in foreign countries handled thousands of dollars of its products annually.
M. Bement, in 1889, purchased the capital stock of the old Lansing Wheelbarrow Company. He pushed the fortunes of this firm, was its first president, and erected its first building. This concern, which is now known as The Lansing Company, is one of the city's biggest and most substantial manufacturing institutions with a mammoth financial investment, acres of buildings and yards, and products that are sold all over the world.
Later, Mr. Bement interested himself in the financing of the Lansing Wagon Works. He placed the new enterprise on its feet and secured prosperity for it through his business foresight and ability for organization.
When the city decided upon a municipal water works system Mr. Bement was placed upon the board that had the building of it in charge. He remained upon this board until after the plant was completed. In 1889, Mr. Bement was elected mayor of the city. He was re-elected to a second term and during his administration important improvements were made and there was considerable activity in city affairs. While an incumbent of the municipal executive office, the city purchased the electric lighting plant, and the water works and this plant were combined.
Mr. Bement was always a Republican in politics and took a very active part in molding public opinion. He was one of Lansing's most active citizens, both in a business way and civically. He was always a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, affiliated with Lansing Commandery, No. 25, Knights Templar.
The funeral of A. O. Bement will be held at the residence, 1617 Jerome Street, at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. Dr. James S. Williamson, pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church presiding. Internment will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Arthur Orrin Bement. One of the largest plants in the state of Michigan is that of E. Bement Sons at Lansing, Michigan, which in 1871 only employed a force of three men, and today engages an army of employees and turns out yearly over a million dollars' worth of stoves and agricultural implements.
Arthur Orrin Bement, the president of the E. Bement's Sons, manufactures of heating and cooking stoves, agricultural implements, etc., was born in Fostoria, Ohio, May 22, 1847. The boy was given the advantages of a good education in that city, and at the age of 14, he commenced to learn the trade of a moulder, earning $3 a week making plow parts. At the end of five years he left this trade to take the position of cashier in the store of ex-governor Charles Foster, of Fostoria. When 18 years of age he became a teacher in the Norris district school near Fostoria, at a salary of $30 per month, and after the usual fight with the larger scholars necessary to establish his superiority over them, he managed to hold his position through the term.
He gave up teaching to help his father in the machine shop, as the factory at that time commenced the manufacture of plows. He remained at this work until the spring of 1869, when, in company with his brother, he came to Michigan to work in the moulding shop of Nicholas & Shepherd, of Battle Creek. After three months the brothers returned to Fostoria, and during the balance of the year worked in Maumee City and Toledo, Ohio. In September, 1869, father and son came to Michigan in search of a location in which to establish a plant. They first stopped in Grand Rapids, but the establishment for sale there being too large for their capital, they went St. Johns and Owosso, and finally located in Lansing. Here they rented a small foundry and started to manufacture plows and farm kettles. That same summer, they purchased their present site. The father had about $4,000 in money, horses, wagons and past due notes, while A. O. Bement possessed $500 in cash. With this small capital they started their now famous plant. Young Bement looked after the business interests and traveled around the state finding a market for the output of the foundry. In 1878, the business increased to such an extent they were forced to increase their plant, and at the same time they commenced to manufacture stoves. Since that time the plant has had a yearly growth, and over 550 men find employment in it during the year.
Arthur Orrin Bement as elected mayor of Lansing in 1893, and re-elected the following term. He was a member of the Lansing Water Works Board in 1886-88. Mr. Bement married Miss Alice Jenison, daughter of Wm. F. Jenison, October 9, 1873 at Eagle, Michigan. His first wife died in 1884, and in 1887, he married Miss Vina Lou Mosher, of Lansing, Michigan. His eldest son, Edward Jenison Bement is the traveling representative of the firm, and his two daughters, Dorothy and Rosaling, are living at home in Lansing. Mr. Bement has taken all the Masonic degrees, including Knight Templar.
information supplied by Dennis BeMent
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