John Anys – The farming and stock-raising affairs of Ottawa County, and particularly of Olive Township, are ably represented by John Anys, who is a descendant of thrifty Holland stock, and has inherited all the energy and perseverance of those of that nativity. His life of industry and usefulness, and his record for honesty and uprightness, have given him an influence in the community which all might well desire to share. He was born in the province of Gelderland, in the city of Lochem, in the Netherlands, October 7, 1829. His parents, Garrett H. and Sarah (Heilweits) Anys, were of German origin.

The original of this notice received his scholastic advantages in his native country, and there remained until 1852, when he sailed for America. Landing in the City of New York, he followed farming and carpentering until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he shouldered arms to fight for his adopted country. At this time he was residing in New Jersey, and on the 5^th of January, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Thirty-third New Jersey Infantry. He served with Gen. Hooker’s corps and was with Gen. Sherman in his march to the sea, everywhere bravely fighting for the Old Flag. He participated in the battles of Mills Spring, Resaca, Rome, Altoona, Pine Knob and Muddy Creek. He was taken sick soon after the last-named engagement and did not see any more service, being discharged in Washington, D. C., in August, 1865. For some time he was confined in the hospital in New Albany, and a long period elapsed ere he regained his accustomed health.

Returning to New Jersey after the war, Mr. Anys there lived until the latter part of 1865, when he moved to Chicago, then a city of about one hundred and sixty thousand inhabitants. As soon as his health would permit, he engaged in carpentering, making his home in that place for several years, and serving on the police force for some time. In 1879 he located upon the farm he now occupies, which consisted then of eighty acres of unimproved land. He engaged actively in the improvement of his farm, and now has twenty-five acres cleared of the heavy timber with which it was covered. Aside from his farming industry, he has been interested in other occupations, and since 1890 has engaged in sawmilling; he supplies a large amount of lumber to the surrounding country, only himself and his four sons being engaged in this occupation. He is a man who, throughout his whole life, has maintained a high character for integrity and uprightness, and who has the confidence and respect of all his acquaintances.

Mr. Anys selected his wife in the person of Miss Nellie Brun, a native of Holland and the daughter of Paul and Catherine (Wright) Brun, also natives of that country. Their union was solemnized in 1857 and resulted in the birth of nine children, three of whom died when young. The others were as follows: G. H., of Chicago; Pauling, wife of F. C. Marsac, of Hickman, Ky., William, Charles, Abram and Martin. Mr. Anys is a member of Van Rota Post No. 662, G. A. R., and an enthusiastic supporter of all public enterprises.