John Litogot was born in Wayne
Count sometime around 1835. He had at least three siblings, Sapharia
(a boy), Barney and Mary. Not very much is known about his parents.
Apparently his mother died while he was still young. His father,
a carpenter, was killed by a fall from a roof, probably circa
1842. Although orphans, Sapharia, John and Barney were old enough
to make their own way in the world. Mary, the youngest, was adopted
by the Patrick O'Hern family of Dearbornville.
John and his younger brother, Barney, enlisted in company K of the 24th Michigan on August 14, 1862. They mustered into service that very day. The brothers were among the final few men to enlist in the 24th before it left for Washington. At the time of his enlistment he was a 27 year old farmer in Brownstown.
The other gentleman in the photograph is identified as Andrew Threadgould. Reportedly Andrew paid John $1000 to serve as his substitute. This story cannot be confirmed at the present time. John enlisted before the draft became effective. Thus there would have been little reason for Andrew to pay such an exorbitant sum for a substitute.
John and Barney first few months with the Regiment were uneventful. This would not last for long, however. On December 13, 1862 John was killed by confederate artillery fire at Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the Regiment's first engagement. Originally buried on the field, John now rests in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.
John and Barney had
a younger sister, Mary. In 1861 she married a prosperous farmer
in Greenfield, William Ford. Her oldest son was born in 1863,
and thus would never have met his uncle John. This bright and
enterprising young lad was named Henry, and eventually became
world famous as an automotive pioneer.
