Civil War Veteran with the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry Company G. 27 Jan 1862-30 Oct 1862. The name Felch is spelled Felsch on the Wisconsin Civil War roster. Also signed on for another enlistment with the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry Company H. 20 Aug 1864-18 Jul 1865. Christian Felch was finally successful at homesteading when he settled down on a 20-acre plot near the Menominee River. This was his third attempt at homesteading since his previous two efforts failed because his inability to fluently speak or read English prevented him from satisfying government requirements. Acres of this hard-earned land were then cleared and occupied by a log cabin. Unlike some others, Christian had no family and did the work primarily on his own, having immigrated with almost nothing but a will to work hard. Christian John Felch and Josephine Meyers were married in April of 1871. He, his new wife and two step children began to make a home for themselves in his homestead cabin. Christian made a homestead in Wisconsin Marinette Co., in what is now known as the town of Porterfield. He married Josephine (Meyers) and made a home for her and his step children, Fred and Rosa Meyers, only to be burned out during the Peshtigo fire. Survivor of the Peshtigo Fire of Oct 8,1871. Christian and his family had fought for their lives in what is one of the worst forest fires on record. Over 1200 people lost their lives from that fire. They repeated the rosary over and over throughout the night. At 3:30 a.m., the flames finally faded - and the group was still alive. Chris had promised Sophie a new home by Christmas. Through the next two months, he labored hard to obtain the needed materials to build yet another cabin. By late December he was ready to begin building. On December 24, the Porterfield Lumber Camp crew surprised him. They came with tools and many men to help set up the two-story cottage in one day. The furniture was moved in the following day, and the family was able to celebrate Christmas in their new home. Chris was a true pioneer in the Northwood's of Wisconsin as he built all of his homesteads from his own cut logs and farmed the land to feed and provide for his family. Christian and Josephine had two children Christian John Jr and Annie. From these two they have many grandchildren and a large family was born to carry on the name and history of Christian Felch.