medal
Catalog Number
1947.50.3a-bDescription
Medal is attached to a blue, fabric-covered base. Medal has an eagle at the top, then a ribbon attaching it to the bottom star shaped medal that has "Grand Army of the Republic 1861 Veteran 1866"History
This medal was awarded to Jan Nies (aka John Nies) of Holland, Company D, 2nd. Michigan Cavalry.Jan (John) Nies was born February 29, 1836 in Groningen, the Netherlands. His father, Derk Nies, and Mother, Ikien Nieuwenhuis, along with their children immigrated to Michigan in 1852. John was the eldest son and as such felt it was his duty to represent the family in the Civil War. He enlisted in the 2nd Michigan Calvary Regiment in September 1861. He served for 3 years and 2 months. He was discharged in 1864. He married Johanna Quintina Kruizenga. At his wife’s insistence, John Nies quit farming after the war and opened up a hardware business in Saugatuck. In 1896 they moved to Holland and opened a large Hardware store under the name “John Nies Sons and Co.” John died May 22, 1920, he is buried at Riverside Cemetery, Saugatuck, MI.