History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, profusely illustrated with portraits of early pioneers, rare pictures and scenes of olden times, and portraits of representative citizens of today, [Vol. 2]

FRANKENMUTH TOWNSHIP

311

JOHN G. HUBINGER
A prominent resident of Frankenmuth, who has spent his entire life in
the township and devoted his best energies to the interests of the people, is
John G. Hubinger. He was born in the village on January 16, 1849, his
parents being Johann Mathias and Barbara Welthier Hubinger, who were natives of Bavaria. They
emigrated to America with the second party of colonists to Frankenmuth in 1846, and settled in the
wilderness where they founded the present village.
The father was first occupied in clearing away the
forest and making the soil fit for cultivation, meanwhile being engaged with his brother, John George
Hubinger, in sawing logs to supply the demand of
the infant colony. The brothers erected the first
saw mill in this section of the county, and afterward added a run of stone for grinding wheat, corn
and other small grains. Later he sold his interest
in the mill to his brother, and opened a general
store in the village. His preference for industrial
pursuits is shown by his building a steam flour mill
in 1871, to which he gave the catchy name of "Star
JOHN G. HUBINGER of the West Mills." The business was very successful and today is one of the commercial enterprises of Frankenmuth. His
death occurred in 1904.
The boyhood of John G. Hubinger was passed on the farm at Frankenmuth, and he received his early education in the church schools there. This
was an ample preparation for an active and useful life, and his first practical
work was on his father's farm. In early manhood he gave much attention
to the milling business, and later to the general store. His ability was demonstrated in every enterprise in which he engaged, and the energy and enthusiasm he displayed were well calculated to command the confidence of the
community. His chief interest, however, has been in farming and for many
years he cultivated a large acreage of rich land, on the south side of the river,
which he located in 1880 and cleared from the forest. At present he resides
on his farm, but has recently retired from the care and management of this
property.
In 1880 Mr. Hubinger was united in marriage with Miss Julia Berger, of
Lapeer, this State. She was born in Frankenmuth in 1852. Four children
have been born to them, namely: Tillie, who was married to August Block;
Lizzie H., who was married to John Block; Martin H., married; and Anna
H., who was married to Bernhard Rupprecht. Martin Hubinger has followed his father's favorite occupation, and now is in entire charge of the
valuable farm including its various business operations.
The public spirit and enterprise exhibited by Mr. Hubinger, and the
confidence in which he is held resulted in his being elected to and his holding the office of justice of the peace from 1896 to 1898. In 1900 he was
elected supervisor of his township, and served faithfully for five years. He
is at present a director of the schools, an office which he has held for four
years, and is also justice of the peace. In all his official duties he has shown
the same integrity and honor which characterizes his private life, and much
of the good name of Frankenmuth is due to his and his father's influence in
the township.
In this relations to religion he is a member of St. Lorenz Church; and
is actively affiliated with the Lutherbund connected with the congregation.