Patriot Foods, Inc. Family Military History

Lafayette Brady was born on June 4th, 1894 in Robinson Township in the family log cabin located south of the Spinners Store. His mother was Maria Minerva Logan and her parents were Minerva and Andrew Logan, who served in the Civil War. Lafayette's father was Wm. Henry Brady (II), and his parents were Elizabeth Tobias and Wm. Henry Brady from Canada.

Lafayette was inducted into the Army on March 29th, 1918 at Camp Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan. Prior to that, he was working at the Bronsema & Grisworld Livery Stable in Grand Haven and The Eagle Ottawa Tannery.

He served in France where he was wounded on September 29, 1918. He was hit five times by machine gun fire while in the famous battle of "The Hindenburg Line". He was transferred to a military hospital in Newton Abbot, England. His family didn't hear from him for quite some time after he was wounded and he was presumed dead. Casualties were terribly high in that battle and the 27th Division suffered the second highest casualties of all the American Divisions in World War I, so they were relieved when they heard he was still alive.

Lafayette was originally in the 85th Division, but later was transferred to the 27th for replacements of those killed, or wounded. He served Company G of the 105th Infantry. He received an Honorable Discharge at Camp Custer April 12, 1919 and received $127 from the Army. Later, he was awarded the "Victory Medal" for his service.

Lafayette died at his home on Pierce St. December 30th, 1979 from heart failure following a brief illness. He still had a bullet in his hip from his wounds in the war.

We will always remember his five dogs following his truck as he drove over to the farm office. His help to the farm came in many ways over the years and he made a significant contribution when the farm fell on hard times financially.

Thank you Lafayette Brady for your service and contributions to our farm and our great country!