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A Page dedicated to our Muskegon
ancestors that risked all to keep others safe from fire. Do your family
roots have a connection to a Muskegon firefighter? Email me to have your
ancestor included.
Our first Hero Family
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Pictures from Walt Ridout
| From the Muskegon Heights Record (Picture from 1908)- First row, left to right, Fred Ridout, Chief; John Engard, Asst. Chief; second row, left to right, Carl Holland, Otto Burandt, Frank Meister, Adolph Roller, Art Haines; third row, left to right, Newton Hilliard, Pete Vandersteidt, Frank Reed, Albert Myers: fourth row, left to right, John Robarge, Bert Whittum, Chena Loss, Fred Foss, Bert Rice. |
Hand drawn carts Fred Ridout 1st Chief on right.
Muskegon Heights Fire Department 1932. Note Gezon Auto Sales next door- selling Studebakers.
| In response to this picture, I heard from Chuck Neal.-"I found a picture of my father and other firemen on an old (1920's) fire truck in front of the very same fire station that you have on your web-site. The fire station was the main station located on Jefferson st. between Western ave. and Clay ave. And they pulled the fire-wagons with horses in those days. This of course was before the "Central Station" was built on Walton ave." Thanks Chuck! |
Chuck sent me some pictures of
his hero firefighting family from Muskegon.
Details on his family below.
 This is a 1920's American LaFrance Pumper in front of the Muskegon Central Station with my father (Charles Neal) at the wheel. |
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My father is second on right, in front of same station. |
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Submitted by Chuck Neal Charles (Chad)
Neal born March 9,1892 Muskegon, Michigan..... He was one of seven sons,
and six daughters, of William and Anna (Fuller) Neal.
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Chuck Neal also sent me these informative pictures about the Muskegon Fire Department. They have descriptive information printed on the back of them. Click on the picture to see the information printed on the back.
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Our next hero comes from Sarah Johnson, her great-great grandpa, John Thieman, was a member of the Montague fire department for 52 years and served as fire chief from 12 to 14 years. He was born in Montague on Feb 19, 1880, to Mr. and Mrs. William Frederick Thieman. He married Nellie Hall on June 29, 1904 in Montague. He died Dec 7, 1956 at his home in Montague. He and his wife had 5 children. They are: Katherine Ruth Thieman, Una Martha Thieman, Anna Lucille (Sally) Thieman, William Hall Thieman, and an unknown baby. William is the only one living today. There was a big write up in the June 23, 1954 edition of "The Muskegon Chronicle" about him and his wife celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. He was active in the Montague Methodist church as a Sunday School teacher and a member of the church board. He has been a member of the Montague city council and the board of education. He was a member of the board of directors of the Hackley Union National Bank, Montague branch, for many years. Prior to becoming a construction contractor, he worked as a blacksmith for 10 years. He retired in 1953, but continued some work until 1956. |
Picture from Sarah with caption-
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| Chief John Thieman, who remembers well the
hand-drawn hose carts of yesteryears, sits at the wheel of one of the modern
trucks of the Montague fire department. Chief the past twelve years, he
has been a fireman in the community for 50 years. (Photo by Bervin Johnson) |
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Our newest hero comes from Sharon Holzhausen.
James Nobes was killed in
a accident in Muskegon, MI. He was a volunteer fireman and died in
the line of duty . Someone opened the firebarn doors early (before
he had finished hitching up the horses), and the horses bolted, dragging
James across the street and pinning/smashing him against a tree.
He was 43 years old and it was recorded in the Muskegon Chronicle that
his funeral was one of the largest in Muskegon at that time. His death
occurred on Dec. 30, 1874. He left a wife and children while serving
his community.
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