Thursday, September 27, 2007

Conrad Beuter

Conrad Beuter, also known as “Benter”, was born 1828 in Prussia, Germany.

Conrad immigrated to the United States, probably in 1862 or 1863, eventually settling in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is possible that he had been married since his son Frank (1862-1897) was born in either Prussia or Austria.

He stood 5’2” with gray eyes, black hair and a dark complexion, and was a 35-year-old farmer possibly living in Grand Rapids’ First Ward when he enlisted in Company C on December 24, 1863, at Grand Rapids for 3 years, crediting Grand Rapids’ First Ward, and was mustered on January 6, 1864, at Grand Rapids. (Company C was made up largely of German and Dutch immigrants, many of whom lived on the west side of the Grand River in Grand Rapids. This company was the descendant of the old Grand Rapids Rifles, also known as the “German Rifles”, a prewar local militia company composed solely of German troopers.)

Conrad joined the Regiment on February 18 at Camp Bullock, Virginia, and was wounded severely, possibly in the foot, and was reported missing in action on May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania, Virginia. Conrad was transferred as missing in action to Company I, Fifth Michigan infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864, and was in fact absent sick from May through December. He was eventually transferred to Harper hospital in Detroit, from whence he was returned to duty on December 18, 1864, and was mustered out July 5, 1865, at Jeffersonville, Indiana.

After the war Conrad returned to western Michigan.

Conrad was married (possibily a seocnd time) to Prussian-born wife Theresa Kraut (1834-1899), on November 7th, 1867 at St. Mary’s church in Grand Rapids.

By 1870 Conrad was working as a laborer (although he reportedly owned some $1000 worth of real estate) and living with his wife and son Frank in Grand Rapids’ Fourth Ward.

By 1880 Conrad was living with his wife and son Frank and working in a sawmill in Walker, Kent County; and he was living in Walker in 1890. He might have been working as a farmer in the vicinity of Alpine road in 1889. He was probably living in Walker, Kent County in 1891.

Conrad was living in Michigan when he applied for and received pension (no 565,213, dated 1889), for his service in the Fifth Michigan. He was probably a Roman Catholic.

While the record is unclear Conrad presumably died in Grand Rapids and may likely be buried in Mt. Calvary cemetery in Grand Rapids. In any case, his wife and son (?) are buried in Mt. Calvary.

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