My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. HETLER. One of Berrien County’s progressive citizens and a successful fruit grower of St. Joseph Township is the subject of this biographical sketch. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, August 23, 1852, and at the age of four years was brought by his parents, Gottleib and Martha Hetler, to Michigan, locating in Berrien County. He resided in Royalton Township until he was about fourteen, when he accompanied his father to the farm which has since been his home. His educational advantages were limited to the knowledge obtainable in the neighboring schools, but by thoughtful observation and systematic reading he has become well informed.

In 1869 Mr. Hetler embarked in the fishing business on Lake Michigan, and continued thus engaged for seven years, meeting with fair success in the enterprise. Afterward he went into the pineries of northern Michigan, where he remained about ten years, engaged in the lumber business, being rewarded with a fair degree of success. On the 31st of March, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Lang. This estimable lady was born in Chicago and was reared to womanhood in Covert, Van Buren County, Mich., where her father, Michael Lang, is a successful general farmer and stock-raiser.

Upon leaving the pineries Mr. Hetler returned to Berrien County and settled upon the place where he has since made his home. Here he owns fifteen acres of land, which he devotes to the raising of small fruits, making a specialty of berries. Through his arduous labors he has succeeded in clearing the land, erecting the necessary buildings, setting out all the fruit trees, and, indeed, making all the improvements now to be found here. This has resulted in vastly increasing the value of the property, which now takes rank with the best in the vicinity.

Mr. and Mrs. Hetler are the parents of six children, four of whom are living: Charles Sumner, Joseph Edward, George Michael and James Harrison. Two died in infancy. The religious home of the family is in the Evangelical Association at St. Joseph, in which Mr. Hetler has held the office of Steward, and to the support of which he has contributed generously. In his political belief he adheres to the platform of the Prohibition party and gives his ballot to the support of the cause he has espoused.