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Belgians in the Civil War

Emigrants arrival

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BELGIANS IN AMERICA:    Biographies of Belgian settlers  

George German, a retired farmer who has resided on the farm where he now lives since 1837, and who owns two hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as Oakland County af fords, was born in Devonshire, England, September 9, 1814. His parents, John and Grace (Essary) German, came to America in 1837, and settled on
the farm where their son now lives. They spent the remainder of their days in this county. The father was a lifelong farmer and owned a farm in England, just outside of Biddeford. He was in comfortable circumstances at the time of his decease. He paid $1 per acre for his land in 1837, purchasing at that time two hundred acres, which he proceeded to clear up and cultivate.
John German and his estimable wife were devout members of the Episcopal Church, in which they were brought up in the old country. He was an intelligent citizen and attached himself to the Whig party and joined the Republican party after its formation, but he never took an active part in politics. He had eight children, namely: Richard, Ann, John, George, Mary, Betsey Jane, William, and Grace.
The subject of this sketch was reared in England and received a common school education in Biddeford. He has followed farming all his life and has upon his fine farm a pleasant home and excellent farm buildings. He has now retired from active labor, yet his interest still centers in his farm, upon which be concentrates all his financial and personal efforts. He is a Republican in his politics and has been Supervisor of his township four times, and has held almost all of the other town offices. He is a Director of the Monitor Insurance Company of Oakland County. He is liberal in his support of churches but is not connected with any denomination.
The marriage of Mr. German took place September 9, 1843. His good lady bore the maiden name of Henrietta PINS. She was a resident of Farmington, this county, but was born in Alost; Belgium, August 5, 1823. She is a daughter of Peter J. and Ellenor (Debeer) Pins, who came to America in 1840 and settled in Farmington; they are both now deceased, Mr. Pins dying at Baltimore, Mich., and his wife at Detroit.
The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. German are as follows: Emma, deceased; Matilda, wife of William Adams, a farmer in Southfield Township, who has six children Willie, Cora, Frankie, Archie, Georgie, and Ross; George H., a farmer on the old home, who with his wife, Carrie Durkee, has three children Frankie, Leon and Amy; Henry E., a farmer also on the home farm, married Lucy Simmons, of Pontiac, and has had five little ones Harry, Gertie, Allie, Wellington and Howard; Minnie is the wife of Mark Armstrong, of North Farmington; and Allie, Mrs. Clarence Seeley, of Farmington has one child Clayton; Alfred and Edwin are deceased. In the society of their beloved children and beautiful grandchildren Mr. and Mrs. German are preparing to spend their latter days in happiness.

Source : (collective work) : Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Mich. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States and governors of the state.; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891, 949  pgs.