CLINTON W. WILBER, the able cashier of the Farmington Exchange Bank, is a native of Farmington, which has long been the home of his father, George L. Wilber. The latter was but two years of age when he was brought by his parents to Livonia township, Wayne county. At that time, the year 1834, the region referred to was a mere wilderness, and George K. Wilber, with Jane Lapham Wilber, his wife were important pioneers of the period. Their son, George L., was reared there and from the primitive school of the period, held in the log school house characteristic of the newly settled country, he secured what edu cation he could. He later became a student at the state normal school at Ypsilanti, Michigan, being one of the first to enroll in the courses of this now great institution. For a time George L. Wilber followed teaching, at one time having charge of the Farmington schools. He was later attracted to farming, which he made his vocation during the greater part of his life . He married Sarah Emma Warner, a daughter of Seth A. L. Warner. Both are still living. Mrs. Wilber is an active member of the Baptist church. Her husband is now eighty years of age, but still retains a lively interest in local and national affairs. He has all his life been allied with the Republican party.

Clinton W. Wilber, son of George and Sarah Wilber, was born on the sixteenth day of December, 1870. He grew up in Farmington and was educated in the public schools of the village. When a youth he first interested himself in the tinner's trade, in connection with which work he spent several years in the hardware and general merchandise store of Fred M. Warner. He subsequently entered into the partnership known as Wilber, Cook and Company. This firm continued until 1896, at which time Mr. Wilber disposed of his interests. Two years later he joined others in the organization of the Farmer's Exchange Bank, of which he was made cashier. The first board of directors of this bank consisted of the following: P. D. Warner, Caleb J. Sprague, Samuel D. Holcomb, George W. Whipple and Fred M. Warner, with the following, who were also partners, Oscar M. Whipple, M. B. Pierce and Mr. Wilber, the subject of this sketch . The senior partner or president was P. D. Warner.

The growth and progress of this bank have been most commendable . The capital paid in at the time of organization was $6,000. On October 1 , 1910, the institution was reorganized as a state bank, with the following executive officers: Fred M. Warner, president; S. D. Holcomb, vicepresident; and Clinton M. Wilber, cashier. That the bank has prospered from the first is evident from the comparison of its original capital with that of October , 1910, at which time it had a paid-up capital of $20,000, all of that sum being the result of the accumulation of profits under the old management. It does a general banking business and is one of the most substantial banks in Oakland county. In 1898 the present fine brick building occupied by this business was erected and equipped with every convenience for good work. Much of the success of the banking affairs has been due to the untiring efforts of Mr. Wilber, who is, however, extremely modest in taking credit to himself.

In addition to Clinton Wilber's important connection with the Farmington Exchange Bank, he is also a stock partner in the Redford Bank at Redford, Michigan . As an evidence of public confidence in his character and ability he has been elected to the office of township treasurer, the duties of which he discharged with faithfulness and efficiency. He is, however, by no means an office-seeker. His political indorsements are of those principles for which the Republican party has always stood.

Mrs. Clinton Wilber was formerly Miss Zayda B. Sprague, of Farmington township. She is a daughter of Lorenzo Sprague, an old settler of Farmington. Her marriage to Mr. Wilber occurred on December 27, 1894.