Person:Johann Vidua (9)

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Shiawassee County Genealogical Society, Portrait and Biographical Album of Clinton and Shiawassee Counties Michigan (Chapman Bros. Printing, Chicago, Ill. 1891), pp. 630, 631, 14 Jun 1999, Library of Michigan, 717 W. Allegan, P.O. Box 30007, Lansing, MI 48909, F572.c7 p799z c.2.

"JOHN FEDEWA. This gentleman is numbered among the successful agriculturists of Clinton County, in which he has resided since 1848. His long residence has given him an extended acquaintance and he has been very useful in advancing the interests of the county and particularly of Dallas Township, by improving land and gathering around him the evidences of prosperity and civilization. Every well-directed effort is of benefit in furthering the general good and the man who succeeds in doing well for himself and his family, also does well for mankind in general. The home of Mr. Fedewa is on section 32, of the township named and his estate now consists of one hundred and sixty acres. He has had other land, but has given to his children tracts on which to establish their homes and begin their work as householders.

    The grandfather of Mr. Fedewa bore the name of Morris and spent his entire life in Germany, rearing five sons and four daughters.  In this household band was a son, Adam, who was born in 1795 and when he had grown to manhood married Mary K. Miller.  To them were born the following children: John, Mathias, George, Maggie and Eva.  The entire family emigrated in company in 1841, and coming at once to Michigan located in Westphalia Township, Clinton County.  There the father died in 1864, and the mother in 1879.  The father had bought forty acres of land and afterward added to his estate until he had an entire quarter section.  Wild animals abounded in the neighborhood and bear often carried off the hogs.  Mr. and Mrs. Fedewa passed through the usual experiences of those who developed wild land, but lived to see what had been an almost trackless  forest converted into fruitful fields. Both were members of the Catholic Church.

    John Fedewa, eldest child of the couple above mentioned, was born December 15, 1820, and left his native land in his twentieth year.  After the family was established in this State he found employment in the saleratus works in Lyons, Ionia County.  In 1848 he married and set up his home on land that he still occupies, first securing forty acres and afterward adding to his real-estate as he was prospered.  He built the substantial farm house and other structures in which he lives and houses his stock and crops, and not only kept his family in comfort, but was able to give his children a much better start in life than is sometimes the case.  While looking earnestly after his own interests he has served his fellow-citizens in several public capacities, especially in that of Road Commissioner -- an office he held fifteen years.  He was Township Treasurer one term, Justice of the Peace about three years and School inspector during a long period.  In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Catholic, as is his wife.  Before he left his native land he had become a mason--a trade in which his father and grandfather were engaged.  The marriage of Mr. Fedewa was solemnized in Westphalia Township, Clinton County, in 1848.  His bride was Anna Schaffer, a woman of domestic skill and amiable disposition, who was a native of Germany. The union has been blest by the birth of seven children, named respectively, Mathias, John J., Mary, Catherine, Annie, Stephen and Lizzie.  All are living in Dallas Township, except Mary, who is the wife of Nicholas Shaffer and resides in Westphalia Township.  The father of Mrs. Fedewa was Theodore Shaffer and her mother was Catherine (Taylor) Shaffer.  They emigrated from Germany to America in 1846 and made their home in Clinton County.  Mr. Shaffer was a shoemaker and farmer.  His children were John, Anna Mary, Catherine, Mary and Stephen."