Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Wernette, Christian W. June 15, 1851 - 
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Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 16, 2009, 1:48 am

Author: Chapman Brothers

CHRISTIAN W. WERNETTE, resident at Mecosta village, Morton Tp., is a son of 
John and Mary (Veitheimer) Wernette, and was born June 15, 1851, in Waterloo 
Co., Canada.  When he was 10 years of age his parents sent him to Berlin, in 
his native country, to college, with the view of educating him for a Romish 
priest; but his natural tastes were so decidedly averse to such a life that he 
left school at the end of the first year.  In 1863 he came to Michigan and 
engaged several years as a farm laborer, and in 1865 went back to New York and 
enlisted in the State militia, but was not called into action.  He was the 
youngest and the tallest man in the company.  His regiment was mustered out of 
the service in the spring of 1866, when he returned to Mecosta County, and was 
employed about six months in the lumber woods.  His next engagement was with 
the Chicago Lumber Co., cutting timber in the vicinity of the Manistee River.  
In 1875 he bought a farm of 290 acres, three miles southeast of Mecosta 
village, where he lived until that place was platted.  Foreseeing the 
promising future of the rapidly growning and plucky little village, he bought 
a lot on Main street, and built a saloon, which he still carries on, holding a 
stock of about $3,000, embracing all articles common to his line of business, 
his annual sales amounting to about $11,000.  He acceded to the possession of 
the Wilson House, Sept. 15, 1882, which he afterward rented to R. H. Duly for 
three years, and in the spring of 1883 he bought the building where the 
Mecosta Advance is published, which is rented to the proprietor of that 
journal.  July 1, 1883, he bought a half interest in a meat market adjoining 
his saloon, which is well patronized under the firm name of Reed & Wernette.  
His residence on North Franklin street was lately erected, at a cost of 
$1,200; is handsomely fitted up with modern appurtenances, and is an ornament 
to the place.  On his farm southeast of the city, he has built a large and 
commodious barn, which he has so planned as to have one of the finest water 
privileges in Northern Michigan.  His place is stocked with a fine lot of 
blodded cattle and China pigs.  He owns, besides, a 40 acre farm one mile 
north of Mecosta village; has also 40 acres of pine land, which he values very 
highly.  He also owns a blacksmith shop on Main street, occupying two lots 
near the Town Hall.

Mr. Wernette is a Democrat in political faith.  He has officiated as 
Supervisor of Morton Tp., and in 1880 was nominated for Representative from 
his district on the ticket of his party, but declined the position on account 
of ill helath.  Mr. Wernette has always been active in the interests of his 
township and of the community of which he is a member.  To him belongs the 
credit of securing the establishment of mail privileges at Bingen (now Remus).

He was married July 3, 1875, at Grand Rapids, to Mary Pickette, daughter of a 
prosperous farmer of Kent County.  Mr. and Mrs. Wernette have three children:  
Lillie R., Joseph W. and Jessy J.

Among the portraits of prominent citizens presented in this volume may be 
found that of Mr. Wernette.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/wernette515nbs.txt

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