Christian Kist Biography, Tuscola County, Michigan This Biography extracted from “Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan…”, published be Chapman Bros., Chicago (1892), p. 1006 This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. *********************************************************************** ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb *********************************************************************** A drawing of the Kist farm is on p. 1009 and is reproduced at http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/tuscola/pics/kistres.jpg CHRISTIAN KIST. The attention of our readers has doubtless been attracted to the views of fine estates which appear in various portions of this volume, and among them they will doubtless notice with especial interest the view of the well-improved place where Mr. Kist carries on general farming. It is located on section 9, Millington Township, Tuscola. County, and is embellished with buildings of a first class. Possessing those qualities of thrift and industry which characterizes his countrymen, Mr. Kist has been successful in his endeavor to found a home for himself and family and now in his declining years is troubled by no fears of poverty or want. A native of Germany Mr. Kist was born in Baden December 16, 1822 and is the son of Namos and Mary (Macklin) Kist. Namos Kist served for a number of years under Napoleon, and after passing his entire life in Germany died at the early age of thirty-eight years. He and his good wife were the parents of two sons*and one daughter, one of the sons being Christian, the subject of this sketch. He was reared in his native land and worked in a vineyard during his youth. Having been drafted into the army he served as a soldier six years and fought against the Prussians in 1848. Two years later he came to America and settled in Wisconsin, whence after a sojourn of six months he returned to New York and was engaged in a sawmill. In 1852 he came to Detroit, this State, and for some time was employed in a sawmill; from that city he removed to Macomb County and worked at gardening. While there he learned to make brooms and followed that business for a number of years. Later he located in Troy, Oakland County, and then worked on a farm in Groveland Township, the same county. In 1864 Mr. Kist enlisted in behalf of his country of his adoption and served through our late war with all the loyalty of a native-born son of America. August 17, 1865, he was discharged, receiving his credentials at Little Rock, Ark. He was on provost and detatched duty most of the time of his service. He was married in Troy, Oakland County to Miss Calista Hunt, and ten children have been born to them, five of whom are living at the present time, namely: John, Mary, Charles, Christian and Harmon. John married Jessie Parker and lives near Birmingham, this State; Mary became the wife of Peter Holbach and lives in Lapeer County; Charles, now a resident of Bay City, married Della Nichols, who died in 1890, and their two children are also deceased. From Oakland County Mr. Kist removed to Lapeer County, where he took up one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land. Upon coming to Tuscola County he settled on forty-one acres which he still owns, having cleared the mot of this tract and placed upon it good buildings. A hard-working, persevering man, he has never been discouraged by the slow advent of fortune's favors. In religious sentiment he and his wife are Methodists. In politics he is a Republican and socially a member of William Richardson Post, No. 214, G. A. R. j