JOHN W. PRESTEL John W. Prestel is a prosperous citizen of Sheridan, Montcalm County, who has gained a large property by his own efforts, and by his enterprise in taking advantage of the opportunities which have been placed in his way. He was born in Ohio on the 18thof December 1838 and is the son of Wentlan and Catherine (Bodemiller) Prestel, both of German birth. He had the misfortune to lose both parents while still in his teens, and his education was cut short. When only 18 years old he left home and going to Calhoun County Mich., began work on a farm. A little later he engaged himself as a Steward on a steamboat on Lake Erie, and served in this capacity for three years. Our subject then decided to learn the blacksmith's trade, and had been working in this way for one year, when his patriotic impulses led him to enlist September 10, 1861, in Battalion D., First Ohio Light Artillery. He entered the service at Cleveland, and was sent to Camp Denison, from whence he went to Covington KY. He served until Sept. 1865, under various leaders, but most of his term was under Gen. Sherman in his various campaigns. He was at Chickamauga, and was present when Johnston surrendered to Sherman. He also saw fighting at Perryville, Atlanta, Shiloh, Franklin and Knoxville and saw the destruction of Hood's army at Nashville. At the close of the war he returned to Ohio and spent two years in finishing his apprenticeship in the blacksmith's trade. He then began this work for himself at Wasson OH and afterward resided in Williams County OH where he was married May 23, 1878 to Caroline Dell, at Edgerton. Mr. and Mrs. Prestel are the happy parents of six sons, who are all residing with them at home; Frederick I., born March 22, 1868; Lawrence G., Sept. 30, 1870; Charles A., Jan. 30, 1873; John J., April 18, 1875; Harlon H., Sept. 15, 1881; Bayard December 6, 1883. Our subject remained in Ohio until 1870, when he removed to Muir, Ionia County MI and took up mercantile pursuits. Two years later he and a Mr. Neff removed the stock to Sheridan MI and began a general store. In 1874 he erected a nice store building, in which they continued business until 1882, when they bought a sawmill and then dissolved partnership. Mr. Prestel took all the property in Sheridan, while his partner took that which was situated in Day Township and elsewhere ouside. He continued along for some time in the general store in Sheridan. Mr. Prestel owns a large amount of real estate which may be listed as follows; Six houses and lots in Sheridan; a farm of 240 acres on the south side of the village; a large mill in St. Clair county; 1200 acres of fine timber near Grand Traverse; and an interest in 12,000 acres of choice timber land in Arkansas. He is fitting himself up a beautiful home in the suburbs of Sheridan. He says that he got his start for all this prosperity in the army at $13 per month.