Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

JOHN G. HIRNER

A native of Germany where he was born April 22, 1838 and where he grew to young manhood. John Hirner served an apprenticeship of four years in his native land learning the printer's trade, and at the age of twenty-three in order to evade the required service in the German Army he sailed to America and in 1861 he enlisted in the American service in Battery A, Light Artillery and 115th New York Volunteer Infantry, in which he took a man's part for the country of his adoption. He was wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness at Deep Bottom, and he showed the result of the wound, the rest of his life being a little lame. After his discharge from the hospital he came to Michigan, where he worked in the sawmills and pile drivers in Singapore and Saugatuck also engaged in commercial fishing a number of years.

In January 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Wanner, who while a girl in her teens had come to America from Germany. They returned to their native land, but in a short time came back to establish a home in the land of their adoption; they had a farm home first, then in the early eighties became residents of the village where they passed the rest of their days. Mr. Hirner made a good trustworthy public officer serving the village on the council and many other ways. Mrs. Hirner was too, a woman of sturdy and exemplary character and both were members of the Lutheran church, though in Saugatuck Mrs. Hirmer was a most faithful devoted member of the Congregational church. Four children were born to this worthy couple, Mrs. Sophia Pfaff, Herman and Mattie; Mary Hirmer Leland having departed this life in 1908. Mr. Hirner died in 1915 and Mrs. Hirner in 1928.