CURTIS PINTLER, one of the oldest and most highly respected settlers, a prominent horticulturist, and successful stock-raiser of Chester Township, Ottawa County, Mich., was born on the homestead where he now resides, November 3, 1847. He was the only son of John and Mary (Shaw) Pintler, natives of Orleans County, N. Y. The father and mother were married in the Empire State and emigrated to Michigan in 1845, journeying by way of Detroit and thence to Marshall. Arriving in Ottawa County they made their permanent home in Chester Township, upon the old farm where our subject passed the days of childhood and has since continued to live. Buying a yoke of oxen for $35, a wagon for $8, and a cow for $12, they hauled their few household effects through the woods over a blazed road never before crossed by a wagon. The father was obliged to take his axe and cut the brush before the oxen as they advanced, while the mother did the driving. Locating in 1845, John Pintler erected a shanty the latter part of the year, and upon January 3, 1846, moved into it. The new home, 10x16 feet, was built mostly of poles, such as the father could elevate from the ground, and in this primitive residence the husband and wife lived until a small clearing could be made and a more commodious and substantial house erected. In 1847 a large and comfortable log house was built, which became widely known as a convenient stopping-place for many years between Grand Rapids and Muskegon.

In 1846 Samuel Free and John Brooks, of Newaygo, started from this place to Grand Rapids and Newaygo to survey for a much-needed public road between these points. The road ran by the father’s homestead and he assisted in blazing the trees and cutting down underbrush and laying the trail for the more advanced work to follow. This road is now known as the Grand Rapids and Newaygo State Road. For three years the parents kept a tavern, or half-way house, and in the fourth year after the road was opened to travel a man, Lot Fulkerson, opened a tavern where Casnovia stands. In the mean time the father was engaged in the cultivation and general improvement of his farm, which was constantly growing in value. He purchased the land warrant from a soldier in Detroit for $33 and first located eighty acres, afterward adding forty acres, and fifty-seven acres he cleared prior to his death, planting out an apple orchard, which now yields abundantly. In 1847 the first postoffice of the township was established and John Pintler became Postmaster, the office being called Pintler’s Corners, the name by which the locality was known for many years. Lawrence Mang carried the mail for one year on foot from Grand Rapids to Newaygo. The next contract as carrier was given to Benjamin Wright, who took the pouch of mail on horseback. The first stage-coach passing Pintler’s Corners was driven in 1855, and carried the mail, the contract then being held by Mr. McLinothan. Soon the passenger traffic began to improve and the hotel business boomed.

In 1863 the present attractive and roomy residence in which our subject now resides was erected, and on moving into this house the Pintlers ceased to keep a tavern. During the latter part of 1848 Lorenzo Chubb moved into "Pintler’s Corners," the old place, and there kept hotel, the former interest of the business, held by the father of our subject, then being turned over to the newcomer. During these changing seasons the father occupied a position of importance and for twelve continuous years served ably as Justice of the Peace, and aside from various other township offices was for several years an efficient Supervisor. In every office with which he was honored John Pintler discharged the public duties thereto pertaining with the faithful ability which characterized his every work in life. A sincere Christian man and an upright citizen, the father was a member of the Close-Communion Baptist Church and ever threw his influence upon the side of truth and justice. The three children who made bright the home in the woods were Lucy A., deceased; Curtis; and Ellen J., deceased, who became the wife of Worthington Moe, a native of Middleville, Mich. The father passed away November 6, 1866, at forty-nine years of age, beloved and honored by all who knew him. The mother, a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, survived until 1879, and entered into rest at sixty-four years of age.

Our subject was educated in the common schools of the township and also received instruction in Grand Rapids. At the age of twenty years returning to the homestead, and now owns thirty-eight acres of the old farm, thirty-six of his acres being devoted to fruit-culture; seven acres are in apples; twenty in peaches; one and a-half in plums; one in pears; one in grapes; and one in quinces. Our subject has also two hundred cherry-trees, a flourishing vineyard of four hundred grape-vines and a large quantity and variety of small fruit, which annually yield a handsome income. Mr. Pintler has no general agricultural interests but is a stock-raiser, profitably handling the Hambletonian and Clay breeds of horses. He also has high-grade cattle, three-fourths Jersey.

In 1868 Curtis Pintler and Carrie M., daughter of J. J. and Lydia (Shackelton) Smith, natives of England, were married. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were wedded in Canada, and in Woodstock the estimable wife of our subject was born. In 1863 Mr. Smith with his family removed to the United States and, a tanner and harness-maker, erected the first tannery built in Lamont, Ottawa County. He worked for some years in Grand Rapids, where he was widely known and highly respected. He died in 1883, at the age of seventy-three, his wife having died the previous year, 1882, aged sixty-three. They were both devoted Christian people and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The nine children who clustered about the family hearth of Mr. and Mrs. Smith were in the order of their birth: Elizabeth, wife of J. J. Nelland, of Grand Rapids; James H., a citizen of Muskegon; Cordelia, wife of F. W. Cook, of Eau Claire, Wis.; William J., residing in St. Johns; H. W., of California; Carrie M., Mrs. Pintler; Maggie M., wife of Dan Miller, of Alpine Township; Lydia M., wife of M. Rich, of St. Paul; and Florence A., wife of Rev. H. O. Lawrence, of Wells, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Pintler have been blessed by the birth of five intelligent and attractive children: Everett J., Minnie M., Nina M., George W. and Aleta. Mrs. Pintler and the three daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are active in the religious, social and benevolent work of their denomination. Mrs. Pintler is likewise a valued member of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and is for the second year Treasurer of the local association, keeping the records and being the County Superintendent of Franchise. The accomplished wife of our subject is well known as a lady of superior executive ability and fine business attainments. Mr. Pintler is fraternally associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 291, Industry Lodge, and Mt. Horeb Encampment, now located at Casnovia. Without being in any sense of the word a politician, our subject takes a deep interest in both local and national issues and is esteemed a man of broad views and liberal sentiment in all matters pertaining to the general welfare.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1893, Pgs 207-208