JOHN CARLYLE, ex-soldier, farmer and stock raiser of Courtland, Kent county, Mich., was here born October 29, 1846, and is the fifth of eight children — four sons and four daughters —born to John and Lillius (Howatt) Carlyle, further mention of whom is found in the biography of Charles H. Carlyle. John Carlyle was educated in the common schools and assisted on the home farm until January 21, I864, when he enlisted, at Grand Rapids, in company G, Fifth Michigan cavalry, under Col. Russell A. Alger, afterward secretary of war. The regiment was attached to the army of the Potomac, and Mr. Carlyle's first active duty was on Kilpatrick's raid and Grant's campaign through the Wilderness. He was also with Gen. Phil. Sheridan on his famous raid through the Shenandoah Valley. Among the many battles in which he participated, beside the raids alluded to, may be mentioned Todd's Tavern, Beaver Dam Station, Yellow Tavern (where the Confederate general, J. E. B. Stuart, was killed by a private of Mr. Carlyle's regiment); Hawe's Shop, cavalry skirmish at Malvern Hill, Trevillian Station, Cold Harbor, and Gordonsville, as well as at Cedar Creek, in the Shenandoah Valley. He was on the field when Sheridan joined his troops after his famous twenty miles' ride from Winchester. For a time, also, Mr. Carlyle's regiment served under the gallant Gen. George Armstrong Custer, who with many brave followers, was massacred at the Big Horn, in the Black Hills, in 1876. The Fifth Michigan cavalry also took part in the grand military review at Washington, D. C., in May, I865-the grandest the world had ever witnessed. Instead of being sent home after this review, as had been expected, the regiment was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, Kans., and later to Forts Kearney and Bridger, to act as scouts and to guard supplies, horses, etc. They had almost daily skirmishes with the redskins during their memorable march. Eventually, Mr. Carlyle received an honorable discharge at Fort Bridger, March 25, i866. He was a brave and faithful soldier who won the esteem of his comrades and the respect of his superiors. He never took life wantonly nor ever maliciously
Pg. 593 I fired a piece of property. He was never sick, was never granted a furlough, nor was he ever in the guardhouse. Mr. Carlyle was united in marriage, March 17, 1877, with Miss Sarah Whittall, a native of Kent county. They are the parents of five children, viz: Ada G., at home; Bernice, at school, and Clayton L., Oliver W. and Lloyd H. Mrs. Carlyle is a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Teague) Whittall, natives of England and still residents of this county. She graduated from the high school at Rockford and for -ix terms before her marriage was a successful teacher. Mr. Carlyle is a successful breeder of shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, having begun the raising of the hogs in 1888, and cattle in 1890. His farm is beautifully located and improved with a neat and tidy residence, suitable outbuildings and barn. The latter, erected in I897, is one of the best in the township. One of the main features is fruit growing, and he has about 2,500 peach and 900 plum bearing trees. Politically Mr. Carlyle is independent, voting for the candidate best suited, in his opinion, for the office. He is a member of the Peter A. Webber Post, G. A. R., at Rockford, and he and his wife are members of Courtland grange, Patrons of Husbandry.