Biography of John Anys John Anys – The farming and stock-raising affairs of Ottawa County, andparticularly of Olive Township, are ably represented by John Anys, who is adescendant of thrifty Holland stock, and has inherited all the energy andperseverance of those of that nativity. His life of industry and usefulness, andhis record for honesty and uprightness, have given him an influence in thecommunity which all might well desire to share. He was born in the province ofGelderland, in the city of Lochem, in the Netherlands, October 7, 1829. Hisparents, Garrett H. and Sarah (Heilweits) Anys, were of German origin. The original of this notice received his scholastic advantages in his nativecountry, and there remained until 1852, when he sailed for America. Landing inthe City of New York, he followed farming and carpentering until the breakingout of the Civil War, when he shouldered arms to fight for his adopted country.At this time he was residing in New Jersey, and on the 5th ofJanuary, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Thirty-third New Jersey Infantry. Heserved with Gen. Hooker’s corps and was with Gen. Sherman in his march to thesea, everywhere bravely fighting for the Old Flag. He participated in thebattles of Mills Spring, Resaca, Rome, Altoona, Pine Knob and Muddy Creek. Hewas taken sick soon after the last-named engagement and did not see any moreservice, being discharged in Washington, D. C., in August, 1865. For some timehe was confined in the hospital in New Albany, and a long period elapsed ere heregained his accustomed health. Returning to New Jersey after the war, Mr. Anys there lived until the latterpart of 1865, when he moved to Chicago, then a city of about one hundred andsixty thousand inhabitants. As soon as his health would permit, he engaged incarpentering, making his home in that place for several years, and serving onthe police force for some time. In 1879 he located upon the farm he nowoccupies, which consisted then of eighty acres of unimproved land. He engagedactively in the improvement of his farm, and now has twenty-five acres clearedof the heavy timber with which it was covered. Aside from his farming industry,he has been interested in other occupations, and since 1890 has engaged insawmilling; he supplies a large amount of lumber to the surrounding country,only himself and his four sons being engaged in this occupation. He is a manwho, throughout his whole life, has maintained a high character for integrityand uprightness, and who has the confidence and respect of all hisacquaintances. Mr. Anys selected his wife in the person of Miss Nellie Brun, a native ofHolland and the daughter of Paul and Catherine (Wright) Brun, also natives ofthat country. Their union was solemnized in 1857 and resulted in the birth ofnine children, three of whom died when young. The others were as follows: G. H.,of Chicago; Pauling, wife of F. C. Marsac, of Hickman, Ky., William, Charles,Abram and Martin. Mr. Anys is a member of Van Rota Post No. 662, G. A. R., andan enthusiastic supporter of all public enterprises. Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & OttawaCounties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company Pg. 288,291
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