Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Klotz, John W.  1923 February 20, 1923
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Pat Blood pat.blood@gmail.com May 24, 2011, 2:27 am

Portland Observer – Thursday, 22 February 1923
DEATH CALLS ANOTHER AGED CIVIL WAR VET.

John W. Klotz, Last Portland Survivor of Co. D., 9th Mich. Inf. Passes

DEATH CAME TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT 3 O’CLOCK

Served Over Four Years During Civil War, Enlisting When 19 Years of Age

Once again the Angel of Death has visited the ranks of Portland’s Civil War 
veterans, taking to his final rest, John W. Klotz, the last Portland survivor 
of Company D., 9th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, whose death occurred at the 
home of his daughter, Mrs. Arthur Nunneley, Tuesday afternoon at three 
o’clock.  Funeral services were held at the residence this (Thursday) 
afternoon, in charge of Rev. Bancroft, pastor of the Methodist church.

Mr. Klotz was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, on May 30, 1842.  When 11 years of 
age he came to this country with his parents and for two years lived in Wayne 
when they settled in Orange Township, where he resided until 1910 when he came 
to Portland.

When the Civil war broke out he was 19 years of age.  He entered the army in 
September, 1861, in Company D, 9th Michigan Infantry, the first Michigan 
regiment to enter upon active duty in the Western department of the army, 
serving until September, 1865, the last 17 months as orderly for Gen. George 
H. Thomas.

Upon leaving the army he returned to Portland and at once settled down to farm 
work, buying his farm in Orange which was then a swamp and wholly unimproved.  
On February, 2, 1871, he was married to Miss Sophie Bromberg who passed away 
on December 11, 1921.  Two children are left to mourn the death of their 
parents, Mrs. Edwin A. Buck and Mrs. Arthur S. Nunneley.

At the time of being mustered out of the service Mr. Klotz was given two 
letters which has been among his most cherished possessions: one from Gen. 
Thomas and one from Col. Robt. H. Ramsey.  Both are written on military 
stationery and dated from the headquarters military division of the Tennessee 
and are valuable relics of that great conflict.

The letters follow:

Nashville, Tenn.
Sept. 12, 1865

Private John W. Klotz, Co. “D” 9th Mich. Infty. Vet. Vols, has been on duty as 
orderly at these Headquarters for the last seventeen (17) months and has 
always performed his duty faithfully, with satisfaction to his officers and 
with credit to himself.  He is a man of moral and temperate habits and I 
cheerfully recommend him to any desiring to give him employment as worthy of 
trust and confidence.

In returning to his friends and the pursuits of civil life he carries with him 
my best wishes for his future welfare.

Geo. H. Thomas
Maj. Gen’l, U. S. A. 


Nashville, Tenn.
Sept. 11, 1865

John W. Klotz
Priv. Co. “D” 9th Mich. Infy.
Orderly  Hd. Qrs. M. D. T.

Sir:

As your regiment is about to be mustered out of service and you are soon to 
return to your home, I would say that I have observed your course while you 
have been on duty as orderly at these Hd. Qrs.  You have been diligent and 
faithful in the performance of your duties and have been a prompt and obedient 
soldier.  I therefore, cordially recommend you to the favor of any one 
requiring the services of an energetic and faithful employee.  Hoping that you 
may be successful in your future life.  I am respectfully your obedient 
servant.

Robt. H. Ramsey,
“Col. & A. A. G.”


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