REUBEN NV. COY.

Reuben W. Coy was born in Livonia, Livingston county, New York, April 27, 1843. His boyhood was spent on a farm, with his parents, near that place. He graduated from the schools at Livonia and afterwards took a classical course in Lima College, at Lima, New York. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted as bugler with the First New York Mounted Rifles and served with his regiment until the close of the war. In 1866 he came to Michigan and located at Elk Rapids, where he taught school one year and then entered the employ of Dexter & Noble, as salesman in their store. In 1870 he resigned his position and opened up a general store in Helena township and platted the village of Spencer Creek, now Alden. A few years later he built a grist mill and afterwards a saw mill, which he operated for many years. In 1873 he was married to Helen M. Thayer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lucius A. Thayer, of Helena. Their children now living are Charles H. Coy, Ernest O. Coy and Mrs.Helen M. Vought, of Alden, and Mrs. Grace Shepperson, of Petoskey, Michigan. In 1890 Mr. Coy disposed of his mill plants and devoted his time entirely to his rapidly growing mercantile business. Mr. Coy served as postmaster of Alden for twenty-five years and served the township many years as supervisor and township clerk. He was a progressive, public spirited citizen and worked hard to advance and develop the resources and interests of Helena. He was a member and a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Masonic fraternity. He died at his home in Alden, January 12, 1896. The Elk Rapids Progress, commenting on his death said this: "'Death loves a shining mark' and no truer exemplification can be found than in the statement, Mr. Coy is dead. He was an honest, energetic, intelligent, public spirited, Christian gentleman, who labored with and for the best interests of his fellow men. He attended strictly to business and his economy and thrift accumulated considerable property. As a merchant he was honest to the last degree and as a citizen naught can be said against him. He was a born philanthropist and no hungry or needy person who was deserving was ever turned away.. a public benefactor lie excelled and always had the best interests of the community at heart."

The mercantile business at Alden is still conducted by the widow, Mrs. Helen M.Coy, and her sons Charles and Ernest, under the management of Charles H. Coy.

Author: Powers, Perry Francis, 1857-1945.
Title: A history of northern Michigan and its people / by Perry F. Powers ; assisted by H.G. Cutler.
Publication date: 1912.