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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 159 - 160 |
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LESTER C. MACEY
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A citizen of the United States can have no greater badge of honor than the distinction of having served the government in the four years of war between the states. It is a sacred family inheritance of renown, to be prized like a jewel by all descendants and kept bright and untarnished by other acts of valor, patriotism and loyalty in the interest of free government. Among the honored old veterans of the great Rebellion now residing in Wexford county is Lester C. Macey, the subject of this review. A native of Burlington, Vermont, springing from the sturdy stock of the Green Mountain state, it is no wonder that he has an army record during the war of the Rebellion of which any man might be proud. October 14, 1861, he entered the Federal service, re-enlisted each time at the expiration of his term of enlistment and served until after the last shot of the great Civil war had been fired. His honorable discharge is dated in February, 1865. Lester C. Macey, whose farm is a part of section 9, Haring township, Wexford county, was born at the parental home in Burlington, Vermont, September 1, 1846. His parents were Charles and Harriett (Stowe) Macey, both natives of Vermont. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Lester C. Macey was the fourth. In 1850 the family moved to Clinton county, New York, located on a farm and there resided until the death of the father, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother is still living, aged ninety-one years. October 14, 1861, when but fifteen years of age, Lester C. Macey enlisted in Company K, Ninety-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, and served from that time until midsummer, June 18, 1864. He took part in nearly all of the most sanguinary battles of the Rebellion and escaped not only with his life, but without being maimed or very badly crippled. His most serious injury was received in front of Petersburg, Virginia, on the Weldon Railroad, on the 18th of June, 1864. He was severely wounded in the right leg and for a time it was feared that amputation might be necessary, but he was fortunate in being able to save this member. Some of the battles and engagements in which he participated are Antietam, Maryland, September 16 and 17, 1862; South Mountain. Maryland, September 13 and 14, 1862; the Peninsular campaign, Virginia, March 17 to September 2, 1862; Fair Oaks, May 31 and June 1, 8, 18 and 27, 1862; Gaines Farm, May 14 and 15, 1862; Malvern Hill, Virginia, July 1, 2 and 23, and August 2, 5, 6 and 8, 1862. He also participated in the many battles, engagements and skirmishes in North Carolina while under the command of General Foster. He was at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, June 26 and July 1 to 3, 1863, and in the battles of the Wilderness, Virginia, in May, 1864, he was with his regiment and saw some superb fighting all along the line for several days. On leaving the army he returned for a short time to Clinton county, New York, then moved to Michigan and soon thereafter located in Manistee county, securing employment in the woods, logging and lumbering. which he followed for eight years. He then purchased a forty-acre tract of land, part of section 9, Haring township; where he established a home and where he has since resided. October 29, 1876, in the city of Cadillac, Wexford county, Lester C. Macey was united in marriage to Miss Carrie C. Warren, a native of New York, born May 8, 1854. Her parents were Zephiniah and Elizabeth (McCorey) Warren. He was a native of Vermont, while the place of her birth was Canada. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Carrie C., wife of the subject, was the fifth in order of birth. Mr. Warren was ninetyone years old at the time of his death. Elizabeth, his faithful wife, is a resident of East Randolph, Cattaraugus county, New York, being, now aged seventy-eight. To the union of Lester C. and Carrie C. (Warren) Macey five children have been born, two of whom died early in life. Chester A. was only permitted to enjoy one year of earthly existence, and Eva M. gladdened the hearts of her parents for seven years, when death claimed her. The living children are Edith, Myrtle and Almeda. They are intelligent, well educated and modest, young ladies who by their winning ways and many accomplishments make the family home a most enjoyable one. Despite the eminent services he rendered his country, Lester C. Macey has never taken very kindly to politics. He has never sought public place of any kind. At one time he was induced to accept the position of drainage commissioner of Haring township, but he did not really want the place and was only too glad when his term of office expired. There are many men all over this country, whose military records pale into insignificance before that of Lester C. Macey, who are using their alleged military achievements to boost them into public places, He would scorn to make use of what he did through patriotic motives for so base a purpose. Men of his candor, frankness and honesty very rarely make a success of politics. The only fraternal society to which he belongs is the Masons. He is a member of Cadillac Lodge No. 331, Free and Accepted Masons, and a more sincere and conscientious member of the order it would be difficult to find. |