Edward George Laskey
Excerpted from Grand Rapids, Ohio, A Souvenir of the Past and Present. July 1897
Edward George Laskey was born at Gilead (Grand Rapids), May 25, 1852, son of George and Anjenette (Howard) Laskey.
He received his education in the Grand Rapids schools. He showed great aptitude for business at an early age, and before he was twenty-one he engaged in the general hardware trade at Ottawa, Putnam county. Oct. 17th, 1872 he married Annie, daughter of Dr. Springer. Shortly afterward he returned to Grand Rapids and entered into partnership with Capt. A. H. Gruber in the hardware trade. Later he sold his interest to Mr. Gruber and, afterward, engaged with his brother, Sherman, in a general store business. After some years, the brothers divided the stock, Edward taking men and women's furnishing goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc., and Sherman taking dry goods and groceries. Sherman removed to Michigan, and Edward retained the old Laskey stand, where he is now located. Mr. E. G. Laskey has been in business continuously almost from boyhood, and is considered one of the best salesmen in the country. His large store room is stocked with the leading lines of Gent's Ladies', Youths' and Children's shoes. Everything in the line of Men's and Women's Furnishing Goods, Hats, and Caps, and a full line of Rubbers of best manufacture. He is sole agent for two of the largest merchant tailoring establishments of Chicago, and makes a specialty of fine suits to order. He also carries a line of men's pants, overalls, work suits, sweaters, etc. Ed Laskey is one of the most genial and kind hearted men that ever lived. There is hardly a poor boy in the country to whom Ed has not extended credit when he most needed it. Hundreds of poor people, without a penny of security, have to thank Ed for shoes and clothing for themselves and children, when all other doors were closed to them. It goes without saying that he has lost thousands of dollars in this kind of work. But he never lost confidence in humanity, and believes every man is honest until he proves himself otherwise. Mrs. Laskey is fully as kindhearted as her husband, and wherever there is poverty or sickness there she is found with a helping hand.
Excerpted from Grand Rapids, Ohio, A Souvenir of the Past and Present. July 1897
Edward George Laskey was born at Gilead (Grand Rapids), May 25, 1852, son of George and Anjenette (Howard) Laskey.
He received his education in the Grand Rapids schools. He showed great aptitude for business at an early age, and before he was twenty-one he engaged in the general hardware trade at Ottawa, Putnam county. Oct. 17th, 1872 he married Annie, daughter of Dr. Springer. Shortly afterward he returned to Grand Rapids and entered into partnership with Capt. A. H. Gruber in the hardware trade. Later he sold his interest to Mr. Gruber and, afterward, engaged with his brother, Sherman, in a general store business. After some years, the brothers divided the stock, Edward taking men and women's furnishing goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc., and Sherman taking dry goods and groceries. Sherman removed to Michigan, and Edward retained the old Laskey stand, where he is now located. Mr. E. G. Laskey has been in business continuously almost from boyhood, and is considered one of the best salesmen in the country. His large store room is stocked with the leading lines of Gent's Ladies', Youths' and Children's shoes. Everything in the line of Men's and Women's Furnishing Goods, Hats, and Caps, and a full line of Rubbers of best manufacture. He is sole agent for two of the largest merchant tailoring establishments of Chicago, and makes a specialty of fine suits to order. He also carries a line of men's pants, overalls, work suits, sweaters, etc. Ed Laskey is one of the most genial and kind hearted men that ever lived. There is hardly a poor boy in the country to whom Ed has not extended credit when he most needed it. Hundreds of poor people, without a penny of security, have to thank Ed for shoes and clothing for themselves and children, when all other doors were closed to them. It goes without saying that he has lost thousands of dollars in this kind of work. But he never lost confidence in humanity, and believes every man is honest until he proves himself otherwise. Mrs. Laskey is fully as kindhearted as her husband, and wherever there is poverty or sickness there she is found with a helping hand.