My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH W. HETLER. The adaptability of Berrien County soil to the cultivation of small fruits has induced many progressive men to purchase property here and engage in business as fruit-growers. Among the fine fruit farms of St. Joseph is the one owned by the subject of this sketch, a well-known and influential resident of this township. He is a native of this county, and having passed the greater portion of his life here, has a wide circle of acquaintances among its best people. He was born in Royalton Township on the 2d of February, 1857, and is the son of Gottlieb and Martha Hetler.

At the age of ten years our subject accompanied his father in the removal from Royalton Township to the place where he now lives. His boyhood days were mainly spent in farm work, and he early learned the duties of agricultural life and became familiar with every department of farming. In his youth he conducted his studies in the Lincoln Avenue School. He was seventeen years of age when, with a manly self-reliance and independence, he started out in the world for himself, and since that time he has been self-supporting. For a time he worked on a farm by the month, and continued in the employ of others for ten years.

In connection with his brother, J. M., our subject in 1881 purchased the old homestead, which the two farmed in partnership until about 1889, when the property was divided. Mr. Hetler is now the owner of eighteen acres of valuable land, about nine acres being set out in fruit. He makes a specialty of berries, in the cultivation of which he has met with excellent success. The annual yield of fruit is large, and the sales aggregate about $1,000 or $1,200 per year. Since locating on this place, he has erected the commodious house and substantial barns now noticeable on the farm, and he has also built a number of outbuildings adapted to their varied purposes.

November 10, 1885, in Lincoln Township, Berrien County, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hetler to Miss Hannah, daughter of Nicholas Broderson, of Germany. Mrs. Hetler was born in Germany, whence she emigrated to this country at the age of fifteen years in company with her mother, and at the time of her marriage was residing in Lincoln Township, Berrien County. One child has blessed this happy union, Roy Edward, who was born April 23, 1891, and is a bright and attractive child. Politically, Mr. Hetler is strongly attached to the principles of the Republican party, of which he is a devoted adherent. He takes an active interest in local, State and national politics, and is one of the leaders of his party in the community. In his religious belief he is identified with the Evangelical Association, to which his wife also belongs.