A Pioneer's Birthday

John George Schairer Celebrated His 79th Birthday.

Some of the Well Known Immigrants Who Came with Him in His Days When Indians Were in Our Streets.

Tuesday John George Schairer, one of Ann Arbor's most respected citizens celebrated his 79th birthday anniversary. He is enjoying good health and is wonderfully clear and accurate in the remembrances of the many years, three-quarters of a century, which he has traveled through this vale of trials and tribulations. He is of a very cheerful disposition, and richly deserves the love and affection which ne receives from his 11 children and 25 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He was born in Durrweiler, Ober Amt Freudenstadt, Wurttemberg, Germany. He lost his father at an early age. When he was a boy he often heard the people speak of the Napoleonic wars and the fears expressed of having the French again overrun Germany. At the battle of Strassburg, the guns had been heard in the village, as it was only 18 miles distant. Hearing of the fertility of Michigan through letters written by Rev. Frederick Schmid to his cousin, he made up his mind he would immigrate, and in company with a large party of neighbors, he in the year '36 started for Ann Arbor. Among this party were the late John George Neithhammer, Jacob Schairer and family, John Wagner and brother, and Mrs. Ludwig Beck. They had a good voyage across the Atlantic only being on the high seas 47 days. This was pronouned by their captain as one of the quickest voyages that he had ever made. The party arrived in Ann Arbor in August '36, taking their first meal in the hospitable home of Henry Mann, the first German settler in the village. In October of that year he left for Saline where he learned the shoemaker trade. In '39 he returned to Ann Arbor where he has since resided. Oct. 29, '44, he married Miss Christine Ruehle, who with him enjoys their happy old age. When Mr. Schairer came to Ann Arbor Indians frequently passed through the town. The campus was then a sort of open commons and the general cow pasture for the villagers. One season during the spring a calf strayed away near the campus, and he did not find the animal again until the fall. He has lived in his present home 40 S. Ashley st., for 49 years. On account of the death of Mrs. Schairer's sister at Chicago, the intention of having a large family reunion was frustrated, but he was remembered and heard from those children who were unable to be present. Mr. and Mrs. Schairer's 11 living children are: George, of Saline; Mrs. Maria Otto, of Ann Arbor; John, of El Paso, Texas; D. Fred Schairer, of the firm of Schairer & Millen, of Ann Arbor; Mrs. Henriette Reimold, of Saginaw, e. s.; Sarah, wife of State Senator Daniel C. Gifford; Eunice, wife of William Stever, Aaron M., of West Point, Neb; Emma, wife of Samuel Krause, of Grand Rapids; Jessie and Alice, of West Point, Neb. His large circle of friends sincerely hope that Mr. Schairer may be long spared in health, to his faithful wife and their children.