Ingham County Biographical Sketches



Theodore Bortle


The young man who starts out in life empy handed, and who by hard knocks and persistent stick-to-itiveness wins for himself a name and a place in the world ought not to be considered presumptive if he classes himself among those justly termed self-made men.

Theodore Bortle was the son of a blacksmith and being to the manor born has followed the occupation continously for over forty years; and the music of his hammer and anvil is still heard daily on the south side of the court house square, Mason, where he conducts a shop for the accommodation of the general public.

" The smith a mighty man is he
With large and sinewy hands
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands."

Theodore was the seventh of a family of thirteen children born to Philip and Nancy Bortle, and this to him important event, occurred in 1844 in Perrinsville, Wayne county, Michigan, where his parents settled in the year 1842, his father was a native of Herkimer county, New York; was born in 1807, died at the age of seventy-two years in the City of Mason and sleeps in a soldier grave in Maple Grove cemetery.

His mother was a native of the Green Mountain state; died at the age of 40 years and was buried in Wayne county, Michigan. Both were members of the M. E. church.

Theodore received his early education in his native town, and at the age of sixteen years he placed his name on the muster rolls of Company A, First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, and followed the fortunes of the regiment during its three years of service.

Later was in the employ of the Uncle Sam for five months as a blacksmith, was with Sherman in his grand march to the sea, meeting with experiences that come to a man but once in a lifetime.

Philip Bortle enlisted as a private in Company B of the 14th Michigan Infantry and after ten months' service was honorabley discharged by reason of rheumatism contracted in the service while in the line of duty.

October 19, 1878, Mr. Bortle was united in marriage to Fannie, daughter of Harvey Acker of this city. Two children have been born to them: Harvey T., September 9, 1879, married to Miss Etta, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brown of this city. Harvey Brotle is a machinist and employed at the Olds Automobile Works in Lansing; Fred M., August 10, 1881, unmarried, resides in Lansing, is a barber by profession. He enlisted in Company B., 31st Regiment, 1897, was mustered into service in the 31st Michigan, saw about thirteen months' service in Cuba, was honorably mustered out at Savannah, Ga., having to his credit thirteen months' service in the U. S. Army.

After returning to civil life Theodore Bortle worked by the day in the shop for a time, was later foreman in the Capital Carriage Works, and for five years was employed by Clark & Co., carriage manufacturers.

Afterward opened up a general blacksmithing shop in Lansing city, which he conducted with very satisfactory results for ten years, since which time he has been doing business, and has a comfortable residence here.

Mr. Bortle since residjng in this city had served his ward as Alderman. In politics he claims to be independent, voting for men rather than for party.

Mr. Bortle is a member of I. O. O. F. and filled every official chair in the order. He is also a staunch Grand Army man, is Past Commander of Steele Bros. Post No. 441 of Mason, Dept. of Mich. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bortle are members of the M. E. church in this city and contribute toward its maintenance.





Taken from:
"Past and Present of the City of Lansing and Ingham County, Michigan", by Albert E. Cowles.
Published by The Michigan Historical Publishing Association Lansing, MICH., 1905.
Pages 209 - 210.



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