2. John C Delo
An extract from Portrait & Biographical Album of Isabella County MI
published 1884
John Delo, farmer, section 19, Fremost Township, was born in Germany,
on Thanksgiving Day, 1817. His parents, Frederick and Christina Delo,
were natives of Germany, where they both died. The son came to this
country in 1852 and landed at Quebec Can. From Quebec he went to Hamilton Co,
Canada., and was there engaged in working on the Great Western Railroad for a
time, when he crossed the Niagara and was occupied in labour at various
things and was there taken sick. His means having been exhausted, he was
sent to the poor house. He remained there for a month and, on recovery,
crossed the river into Canada and engaged in cutting cordwood and splitting
rails. He remained in Canada, variously occupied, until 1861, when he came to
this State and county (Michigan, Isabella County E.R.D.) and located on an
> 80-acre tract of land. He had great faith in the future development
of this country and threw all his energy into clearing and improving his
land. Subsequently he added by purchase, 40 acres to his original tract,
and now has about 100 acres in a good state of cultivation. In 1876 he built
himself a large barn, and in 1879 erected a residence on his land
which cost him $2000. That honest effort brings reward, one can see in the
prosperity attained by the subject of this notice. From want and
penury he has attained a plenty, and, sitting around the hearthstone of content,
he smiles at the trials of the past.
Mr. Delo was first wedded in Germany, where his wife died,
leaving him two children, Fred and Charlie. He was again married, the lady of
his choice being a Miss Caroline Hire, to whom he was married in 1854, and
by whom he had eight children, namely: John, Minnie, Mary, William,
Caroline (deceased), Hettie, Emma, and Asa.
The father and mother are both members of the Methodist
Church.
Politically, Mr Delo is a Republican.