 |
|
| ADAM FRIEDEL, farmer, sec. 12, Morton Tp. (P.O., Mecosta), was born at Darmstadt, Germany, March 27, 1846. His parents left the "Faderland" when he was a lad, and located in Waterloo Co., Can., where they remained about seven years, and then came to Mecosta County in the year 1862, the first settlers in Mecosta. They made the journey hither via Ionia, Mich., and cut their way through the woods 15 miles. The father (Justus) entered a claim of 80 acres of land under the Homestead act. The selection of locality proved judicious, as the D. L. & N. R. R. traverses the entire width of the farm, and the enterprising village of Mecosta has been located one mile west. The primeval forest was in its original condition. The nearest inhabitants were two miles distant, located like themselves in a dense forest; their place of supply was Greenville, Montcalm Co., 40 miles away - solid wood intervening - and at Big Rapids, the civilization center of Mecosta County, the work of improvement was in its swaddling clothes. To the original 80 acres of land 40 acres have been added by purchase, and 80 acres are under the plow. The "Vater and Mutter" are the central figures of the household. They have reached the respecive ages of 73 and 72, retain their old country habits of early rising, and the wholesome hilarity that characterizes their race. "Shermany" is warmly remembered; but they rejoice in their prosperity here and the rapid strides of Mecosta County toward a fair rank with the other counties of the Peninsular State. Mr. Friedel is now the proprietor and manager of the property described. He was married May 14, 1872, to Catherine, daughter of Sebastian and Christine Erich, a native of the same place with her husband, and was born June 20, 1852. She came to the United States in 1861. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Friedel six children have been born: Frederick W., George Adam, Louise Catherine, Maria, Adam Jacob and Ernest. Mr. Friedel has officiated two terms as Treasurer of his township, has been Supervisor, and is now Highway Commissioner. He owns 25 head of good cattle, and five horses. |