The citizen., 1913-03-21
Joseph CisIer Was One of Michi-
gan'S First Settlers.
Pioneer Was Related to Gen. Winfield
Scott and Told of Incidents
Not Recorded in
History.

Detroit, Mich-By the death Of Jo-
seph Cisler at his home south of Mid
dleville, the last link connecting Barry
county of the present day with the
very first settlers of the early days
has been severed. writes a Hastings
(Mich) correspondent
Joseph Cisler, who resided in Mon
roe when the common topics of CON
versaticn were the battles in that VI
cinity during the war of 1912; who
knew intimately the historic chiefs OF
the Ottawa nation: who was a com
panion of Albert E. Bull, noted
trader of three counties; who received
an academic education. and who was
at one time one of the most widely
known men in Barry county. died in
obscurity.
Cisler was a genuine product of the
early days He conversed about the
early days and prominent personages
of those times as though they were
present
Cisler was born in Lycoming county,
New York, Feb Z, 1926 His mother
was Rachel Scott, cousin of Gen. Win
field Scott, noted leader in three wars.
In making the journey to Buffalo Cis-
ler's mother carried him upon her
back as she travelled afoot His par
ents settled at Sandy Creek. near Mon
roe, in 1880. Everywhere were the
ruins Of houses burned by the Indians
and British, but new houses were be-
ing erected among the ruins,
AS a boy Cisler was intensely inter
ested in local history and spent much
of his time digging for relics among
the ruins
At Knagg's tavern. about eight
miles from Monroe, the Cislers were
acquainted with a Frenchman who
sympathized with the Americans dur
ing the war and he related an Incl
dent of unusual interest and one which
is not recorded in Michigan history
The British offered rewards for the
scalps of Americans. and savages lay
In ambush near all of the settlements
waiting to pick off any one who ap-
peared. The government offered a re-
ward for carrying the mail through
the enemy's lines and the Frenchman
and two other men started on horse
back to deliver the mails. They had
gone only a few miles when they
found fire on the trail. Apprehend-
ing at once why the fire had been
placed there, the Frenchman shouted
to his companions, Follow mel" and
dashed through the flames His com
panions. unheeding his command, went
round the fire. Two rifles were fired.
and the men were never again seen.
The vicinity of Monroe was rapidly
settled and Houston Cisler, loading
his goods into an OK cart, made his
way along the wilderness trail lead
ing to Gull Prairie in 1886
They left Bronson. now Kalamazoo,
and followed the old road to Yankee
Springs. the famous hostelry on the
Grand Rapids stage road The Cislers
located on Bulls Prairie. in Irving
township.
Here young Cisler led the life of all
pioneer children. He entered the en-
ploy of Albert f. Bull of Massachu-
setts. who conducted stores at White
Pigeon. Bronson and Prairie Ronde
or Schoolcraft
Cisler made the acquaintance OF all
of the pioneers of this section, and
mingled with the Indians. whom he
knew intimately.
During the black Hawk war the Cis-
lers did not join the throngs of fright
ened settlers who returned east They
had no fear of the Indians. whom they
often doctored when they were ILL.,
Grand Rapids, Gulf Prairie and 9th.
er places were known only by their
Indian names. Chicago was one of
the important trading points for the
settlers in this vicinity
Mr.. Cisler prospered. He owned
large tracts of land, and was one of