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| Frederic Pfistner, farmer, sec. 26, Mecosta Tp., and whose portrait we give upon the opposite page, is a son of John and Jennis (Rusler) Pfistner, natives of Germany, where they were married and reared their children. Mr. Pfistner was born in Germany, Feb. 7, 1834, and remained at home until he was 19 years of age. He studied nine years in the excellent schools and colleges of Germany, acquiring a fine education, particularily in languages. On completing his studies he came alone to the United States, and landed at New York in the spring of 1853, going thence to Chicago. After paying his railraod fare thither he had but three cents left, and he borrowed $3 of a chance acquaintance with which to procure food while on his journey. Upon his arrival at the Garden city he pawned his trunk to obtain the money to reimburse the confiding stranger. He took passage for Muskegon, and the gentleman who advanced the sum he needed, on learning the circumstances released his claim, and the captain permitted him to work out his fare to his destination. He arrived there friendless and penniless, but immediately found employment in getting out timber, for which he received a dollara day, and was enabled to repay the sum of his indebtedness. He had worked two months, when he contracted the fever and ague and was compelled to remain idle four months. After he had paid his expenses he had $3 left, and set out for Big Rapids on foot. He found lodging in a lumber shanty, and had in his pocket one dollar to supply his needs until he could secure work. This he soon accomplished, engaging to work for the Long Bors., in the lumber camp of that company a few miles above the present site of the city. He worked for Shaw and Ives two summers, helping to clear up the land where the city of Big Rapids now stands. He remained in the employ of Long Bros. until the following spring, then returned to Muskegon and took a job of lumber driving, which occupied him some months. On his termination he went to Osceola County and worked with a man three years. After the completion of the three years' service above mentioned, Mr. Pfistner came to Mecosta County and purchased 160 acres of valuable land in Mecosta Township, whereon he settled, and has since added 500 acres to his landed estate. Two hundred acres of this has been put into a good condition of cultivation, and the entire property is justly rated the finest in Austin Tp. The farm buildings are the best, and his residence, acknowledged the most valuable in the township at the time of its construction, cost $8,000. The farm is stocked with 51 head of cattle, 150 sheep0 and 50 hogs. Mrs. Pfistner was married Oct. 18, 1860, to Mrs. Mary Yager, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Lute) Roosh, and widow of Lorence Yager, who was killed Nov. 19, 1859 by the falling of a limb. He left one child--Herman--born May 31, 1859, and died Nov. 1, 1881, of typhoid fever. Mr. and Mrs. Pfistner have had seven children, three of whom are deceased: Emma and Alice (twins), born June 8, 1872, died Dec. 21, 1881; Fred, born June 22, 1875, died Jan. 22, 1882. The record of births of the children living is as follows: Mary, June 8, 1861; Amelia, July 31, 1863; Jennie, June 6, 1866; Ida, Feb. 8, 1869. Mr. Pfistner is a Democrat, and has held several school and township offices. He built the first school-house in the township, and, conjointly with his neighbors, secured a school two years before the organization of school districts in the township. In religious views Mr. Pfistner's family affiliate with the German Lutheran Church. |