Johann Martin Lerg

Johann was born and christened February 13, 1824 in Katholisch, Kirrlach, Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany. He married Elisabeth (Elisabetha) Kremer on April 29, 1850 in Katholisch, Kirrlach, Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany. She was born December 16, 1826 in Kirrlach. Johann’s occupation was that of a farmer. The family moved from Germany to Michigan, arriving in New York on April 10, 1854. Martin purchased land northeast of the City of Dewitt, Michigan along the north shore of Looking Glass River. In 1862, Martin built a two-story house on his property to supplant the log house he had built earlier. He served as a private in Co. E, 6th Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War. He was honorably discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on November 24, 1865. He built a big barn on his property in 1872. He died December 1, 1888 in DeWitt, Clinton County, Michigan; Elisabeth died January 29, 1908 in DeWitt, Clinton County, Michigan. They had ten known children, the first two of which were born in Germany. According to Wikipedia, the 6th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was a part of the famed Michigan Brigade, commanded for a time by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. Company E was formed in Ionia, Michigan on September 16, 1862 (our Johann Martin Lerg was 38 years old at the time). Sent out to the Old West frontier following the cessation of hostilities in mid-1865, the 6th, commanded by Colonel James H. Kidd and under the overall command of Brigadier General Patrick Connor, constructed “Fort Connor” as a supply depot during the Powder River Expeditions of that summer. The regiment was stationed at this fort – later renamed Fort Reno – from August to October of 1865. A detachment of the regiment guarding James A. Sawyers wagon train participated in the Sawyers Fight of August and September of 1865. The regiment was mustered out of service on November 24, 1865 (the same date of Johann Martin Lerg's honorable discharge).