My Genealogy Hound

JAMES M. HETLER. The name which introduces this sketch is borne by a gentleman prominent in many of the foremost enterprises of Berrien County, and numbered among the successful fruit-growers of St. Joseph Township. Mr. Hetler has passed his life principally in this county, where he was born on the 28th of June, 1859. He is of immediate German parentage, his father, Gottleib Hetler, being a native of Germany, whence he emigrated to America with his parents in childhood and located in Seneca County, Ohio. He was reared to manhood in the Buckeye State, removing thence to Michigan in 1856.

In the fall of the above-named year Gottleib Hetler was united in marriage with Miss Martha Crill, the ceremony which united their destinies being performed in Ohio. The bride was the daughter of William Crill, a descendant of English ancestors. Upon coming to Michigan the senior Mr. Hetler located in Royalton Township, Berrien County, where he purchased a tract of unimproved land, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres in the midst of a dense forest. With unwearied industry he cleared about forty acres, placing a portion of the tract under cultivation and rendering it of greatly increased value. After residing there for about twelve years, he removed to the place where our subject now resides, and upon disposing of his property in Royalton Township he purchased forty-four acres in St. Joseph Township. He cleared and improved a part of the farm, and made his home here until the time of his death, which occurred in June, 1872,

There were nine children in the family of Gottlieb Hetler, of whom seven grew to maturity and six are now living. They are as follows: G. W., who owns a fifteen acre farm in St. Joseph Township; William, a resident of Royalton Township; Joseph, who owns a farm in St. Joseph Township; James M.; Nancy J., who is the wife of G. R. Davis; and Catherine, Mrs. William Tolton, a resident of Chicago, where her husband follows the trade of a machinist. The father of this family was identified with the German Evangelical Church and was a man of upright and consistent Christian character. For nine consecutive years he filled the position of Justice of the Peace, and as one of the pioneers of the county was highly regarded by all who knew him.

At the age of nine years our subject accompanied his parents in their removal from Royalton Township to St. Joseph Township, settling upon the place where he now resides. At the conclusion of his school studies, he worked by the month for a number of years in his father’s employ. In 1881, forming a partnership with his brother, J. W., he purchased the place where he now resides, and for about four years they tilled the soil in common, after which the property was divided. Mr. Hetler now owns twenty-four acres, one-half of which is set out to fruit trees. He has about three hundred pear trees, two hundred peach trees, and raises berries of every variety, finding that occupation both pleasant and remunerative.

November 17, 1881, Mr. Hetler married Miss Flora Hatch, who was born and reared in Lapeer County, this State. Her father, Chester Hatch, was for many years a resident of Indian River, Cheboygan County, Mich., where he followed the occupation of a farmer and was also engaged as a mechanic. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hetler were born three children, two of whom are living: Nettie J. and Mabel M. Freddie, the only son, died when eleven months old. The religious home of the family is in the Congregational Church, and they are regular attendants at the various church services. In his political views, Mr. Hetler is a Republican and takes an intelligent interest in all matters of public concern and general importance. His life has been an active one, and the results speak for themselves. He commenced with little capital, but being a good manager he has acquired the ownership of one of the best fruit farms in the vicinity. The improvements upon the place have been made under his personal supervision, the land cleared, trees set out, buildings erected, and such changes made as have been of a most desirable nature, as well as pleasing in the general effect.