William Rufus Shafter was born in this community on October 16, 1835, grew to manhood in the pioneer life of Michigan, and built a military career marked by valor in the Civil War, the Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War. He enlisted as a lieutenant in the Seventh Michigan Infantry on August 22, 1861, won promotion through gallant and meritorious service, and was mustered out a brigadier-general of volunteers at the close of the Civil War. During the war he served as 1st Lt. of the 7th Michigan Infantry, Maj. of the 19th Michigan Infantry, Lt. Col. of the same regiment, and Col. of the 17th U.S. Colored Infantry, and he received brevet promotion for gallant and meritorious service during the war. For most distinguished gallantry at the Battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia, on May 31, 1862, while serving as 1st Lt. of the 7th Michigan Infantry in command of pioneers, voluntarily taking an active part in the battle and remaining on the field although wounded until the close of the engagement, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 12, 1895, and was also brevetted lieutenant colonel in the U.S.A. for gallant and meritorious service there. As an officer in the Regular Army he served with signal distinction, conducted campaigns against hostile Indians in the southwest with such success that the country was made safe for peaceful and permanent settlement, rose from lieutenant colonel of the 41st U.S. Infantry to colonel of the 1st Infantry and brigadier general, and also served as major general of volunteers. As commander of the Expeditionary Army that besieged and captured Santiago de Cuba in 1898, he concluded his service to his country with what is characterized here as an imperishable record as a great and daring leader and a generous conqueror. He retired on October 16, 1899, was advanced to major general on the retired list on February 18, 1901, and died on November 12, 1906.