Biography: William SIEBENHAR

From Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan..., Chicago, Chapman Bros., 1892, pp. 503:

WILLIAM SIEBENHAR. There is no more representative man among the thrifty, intelligent and public spirited German-American citizens of Genesee County, than the one whose name we now give to our readers, whose farm is located on section 25, Atlas Township. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 1, 1830, and is a son of Conrad and Margaret Siebenhar, both natives of Germany.

When in his thirteenth year, our subject migrated to America with his mother and the other members of the family, his father having preceded them by three years. For a number of years they resided in Erie County, N. Y., and the boy supplemented his fair German education by a good knowledge of English which he picked up after coming to this country.

The marriage of William Siebenhar and Louisa Weater a native of Prussia, Germany, took place September 22, 1855, and to them have been granted seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Amelia, wife of Lewis Sweers; Charles, Frank, Edwin and Lewis. It was in 1873 that he came to Atlas Township, Genesee County, from Oakland County, this State, where for several years he has made his home. His fine farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land in good condition.

Our subject is public spirited and enterprising, and has done much work for the school district, of which he has been Moderator for three years, and it is mainly through his exertion that the fine school building was erected in his district. He is also a member of the Lutheran Church. In connection with farming he raises a good grade of American-Merino sheep.

Mr. Siebenhar showed his devotion to his adopted country, by enlisting March 15, 1862, in Company E, Seventy-eighth New York Infantry. It became a part of the Army of the Potomac, the first general commander being George B. McClellan, and took part in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Cedar Mountain, Anteitam [sic], and others of minor importance. On account of physical disability he received his honorable discharge in September, 1864, after which he returned to New York, and subsequently came to Oakland County, Mich. He is identified with the Ortonville Post of the Grand Army, and receives a pension of $14 a month from the Government. Mr. Siebenhar is well-known for his sterling integrity, a characteristic handed down to him through generations of sturdy Teutonic ancestry, and enjoys the confidence of the business community.