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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Portrait and Biographical Album of
Huron County, Michigan
Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884

           [278-281]

           MATTHEW SPOUTZ, farmer, section 36, Paris Township, was born
        Feb. 21, 1828, in France.  His father, OTTO SPOUTZ, was a native of
        France and was a commissioned officer under NAPOLEON, with whom he
        served 15 years.  At Moscow he was captured by the Russians and was
        in prison seven years, his incarceration being caused by his refu-
        sal to take the oath of allegiance to a foreign power.  After se-
        curing his release he returned to France, where he married and
        where his son was born. Soon after his birth the family removed
        to Luxemburg, where the father lived on a pension paid him by the
        French government until the death of NAPOLEON, and at the same time
        worked at the hatter's trade. He died March 5, 1879, aged 96 years
        and retaining his physical powers to a remarkable degree. His teeth
        were perfectly sound and firm at the time of his death. The mother,
        CATHERINE (SCHELTOR) SPOUTZ, was a native of France and is
        deceased.
           MR. SPOUTZ obtained an excellent education in the schools of
        Germany. He was married in the city of Luxemburg to MARY HAHN. She
        was born Feb. 1, 1828, of French parents. Her father was a well-
        todo merchant and his daughter was carefully educated in both
        French and German.  Mr. and Mrs. SPOUTZ have been the parents of
        eight children, two of whom — MATTHEW and NICOLAS — are deceased.
        CONRAD, CLEMENTON, CHARLES, OTTO, MARY and PHEBE are living.
           After his marriage MR. SPOUTZ was a merchant in his native
        country three years, and at the end of that time he emigrated with
        his family to America, locating in Buffalo, N.Y., where he carried
        on the hat and cap business.  He then went to Detroit and became
        salesman in the hat store of BUHL & Co. While in that city it was
        visited by the scourge of cholera, and both MR. SPOUTZ and his wife
        suffered from an attack of the disease. On recovery they proceeded
        to London, Ont, where MR. SPOUTZ engaged in the hat, cap and fur
        trade, which he conducted two years. In 1858, he went to Detroit
        and purchased at the land office in that city 120 acres of land,
        of which he at once took possession, and where he and his family
        endured all the hardships common to the early history of this
        portion of Huron County. He had to carry on his back all supplies
        from Forestville, 18 miles away. The high price of all provisions
        added greatly to the privation of his circumstances. He has 80
        acres of finely improved farming land, with excellent buildings,
        The character of his pluck and energy is plainly evident from the
        fact that in the fire of 1881 — three years ago — he lost his
        barns, with 900 bushels of grain, and his residence with all its
        contents. His affairs are once more in prosperous condition and his
        supply of farm fixtures creditable.
           He has been true to the obligations of his citizenship and es-
        poused the cause of the Union when in danger of disintegration from
        rebel foes. He enlisted March 5, 1864, in the 22d Mich. Vol. Inf.,
        in Co. K, Mech. and Eng. His command was assigned to the Army of
        the Cumberland. MR. SPOUTZ was in the battle at Nashville, and in
        the ascent of Lookout Mountain his horse fell, crushing his knee.
        He received honorable discharge July 5, 1865, at the close of the
        war. He has been Highway Commissioner nine years and held other
        minor official positions. In political tendency he is in sympathy
        with the Democratic party.

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