Portrait and Biographical Album of Clinton and Shiawassee Counties, Mich., 1891
pages 839-840

CHARLES W. BAUERLY.  Among the highly-respected and thriving German-American 
farmers who have made their home in DeWitt Township, Clinton County, we are 
pleased to present at the head of this sketch the name of a man of more than 
ordinary intelligence and geniality of temper and manner.  To have the respect 
and thorough liking of his neighbors, as Mr. Bauerly has, is something in which
to feel a just pride.

Mr. Bauerly was horn at Wurtemberg, Germany, November 15, 1837.  His father, 
John M., who was born in 1804, was a wagon-maker and gunsmith by trade, and came
to America in 1837, thirteen years before he brought over his family.  He settled
first in Saline, Washtenaw County, and engaged in wagon-making.  Subsequently 
he removed to Jonesville, Hillsdale County, where he worked at his trade until 
his death in 1881.  Many of his wagons have done good service all through 
Michigan, and some have crossed the plains to California, as there was a great 
demand for his thorough work during the gold excitement of 1849-50.   He was 
a Lutheran in religion, and a Democrat in politics.

Caroline Deyle, the mother of our subject, became the wife of John M. Bauerly,
in 1832.  She reared three children - Fred, Gottlieb and Charles W.  Like her 
husband, she has been an earnest and conscientious member of the Lutheran Church,
and is still living in Washtenaw County.  Our subject was thirteen years and 
eight months old when he came to America with his mother and older brothers, 
and he well remembers the journey, which was a great undertaking, as they were
forty-three days on the ocean, and eighteen days journeying from New York City 
to Jonesville, Mich., by way of the lake.  He had attended school in Germany 
both in the common schools and also in a Latin school, where he took a five-years'
course, and where the requirements were exceedingly strict.  After reaching this
country he was in school at Jonesville for four months, and in Washtenaw County 
for three months.

When our subject started out for himself he worked for ten years for John 
Schneeburger, and in 1862 came to DeWitt Township, Clinton County, and bought 
eighty-six acres of land.  Upon July 15, 1852, he took a step which has been
greatly blessed to him and to all with whom he is concerned.  It was his marriage
with Catherine Hepfer, who is an excellent housekeeper and a delightful, motherly
woman.  She, like himself, is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and was born
July 24, 1842.  Her parents, Jacob and Mary (Walter) Hepfer, came to America 
in 1847, and settled in Washtenaw County, Mich.  Mr. Hepfer was a poor man, 
but had the carpenters' trade and a resolution and ability to work hard.  
He rented land for four years and then bought a small tract, and coming to 
Clinton County in 1866, settled in DeWitt Township.  Both he and his good wife
were Lutherans and people of earnest Christian character.  She was taken from 
him by death in 1878, and he was called away upon Christmas Day, 1875.  They 
were the parents of five children - Jacob, Conrad, George.  Mary and Catherine.

Nine children have cheered the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bauerly, seven of whom are
now living, and all are at home except two.  Lydia is the wife of Valentine 
Neller, a farmer and carpenter in Olive Township, Clinton County.  The remaining
children are William, Edward; Carrie, who married Jacob Schlenker, a butcher of 
Lansing; Mary, Charles and Henry.  The parents of these cnildren have been 
members of the Lutheran Church from childhood.

Although our subject began life with nothing but his pluck, perseverance and 
industry, he now owns one hundred and forty-six acres of as fine land as there
is in the county, and has a pleasant large frame residence, the main part of
which he built in 1867, and to which he made additions in 1882.  On another page
appears a view of this residence, which stands back from the road about seventy-five 
yards and is pleasantly situated.  He built his large red frame barn in 1878 and
his granary in 1880.  His home is an exceptionally happy one, and his children 
are deservedly the joy and pride of their parents, as they are more than
ordinarily bright and intelligent, and make home happy for one another.

Along with the prosperity and happiness which has been his, Mr. Bauerly has had
some bitter with the sweet.  In 1867 he had his leg crushed by a falling timber 
while raising a building, and lay in bed for sixteen weeks, while his doctor 
bill grew rapidly to the proportions of $195.  Our subject was elected on the 
Democratic ticket as Supervisor of DeWitt in 1880, and served for six years 
Township Treasurer and was appointed for one year to fill an unexpired term.
He served for two years as Highway Commissioner, and is now and has been for 
eight years on the Board of Review.