William J. Getty served in Co. B, 6th Michigan Infantry during the Civil War. He enlisted for three years at the age of twenty-nine on March 1, 1864, at Tecumseh, Michigan. He was mustered in on March 29, 1864, and promoted to corporal on August 20, 1864. Corporal Getty was mustered out on August 30, 1865, at New Orleans, Louisiana.

The 6th Michigan Infantry was organized at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and mustered into service on August 20, 1861. It was composed of the Berrien County Rifles of Niles, St. Joseph Volunteers of St. Joseph, Schoolcraft Light Guard of Schoolcraft, Dowagiac Light Infantry of Dowagiac, Wolverine Rife Rangers of Marshall, Saline Sharpshooters of Saline, Littlejohn Light Guard of Allegan, Eaton Rifles of Charlotte, Albion Rifle Rangers of Albion, and the Beardsley Guard of Niles. The regiment returned to Jackson, Michigan, on August 30, 1865, where the soldiers were paid and disbanded on September 5, 1865.

William J. Getty was born on May 15, 1835, in Antrim County, Ireland, the son of James Getty. He came to America in 1849, settling in the state of New York. Mr. Getty taught school and later studied medicine. His love for horses led him into the veterinary line which he followed most of his life. He moved to Lenawee County, Michigan, in 1855, and that is where he enlisted to serve in the Civil War.

In the fall of 1865 Mr. Getty married Addie Baird, and they moved to Antrim County, Michigan, shortly after their marriage. He served ten years as supervisor of his township, was Justice of the Peace, and was instrumental in changing the Antrim County seat to Bellaire.

In 1883, the Getty family moved to Kalkaska, Michigan. Mr. Getty served Kalkaska County as supervisor of Kalkaska Township, chairman of the board of supervisors and Justice of the Peace.

Five children were born to William and Addie: George, Irene L., William J., Elizabeth, and Frances Getty.

George Getty was born about 1870 in Michigan. He married (1) Clara Cronin on October 30, 1893, in Kalkaska. Clara was born about 1870 in Kalkaska County to Cornelius and Catherine Cronin. They divorced. George married (2) Alice Rattrey on April 28, 1908, at Petoskey, Michigan. Alice was born about 1887 in Michigan to John and Eliza (Stepler) Rattrey.

Irene Louise Getty was born in 1871 and was a lifelong resident of Kalkaska County. She taught in the rural and local schools in the county. She also taught in the normal classes for many years at Central State Teachers College in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. She held the office of Commissioner of Schools of Kalkaska County for more than twenty years, and also held the office of Secretary of the School Board for many years. She was a member of the Columbia Chapter No. 99, Order of Eastern Star where she held the office of Worthy Matron of the State. She was also the President of the Meguzee, the district organization of the Eastern Star. Irene and her sister, Elizabeth, lived together in their home after the death of their mother. Irene Louise Getty died in August 1934. She is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Kalkaska, beside her mother and father.

William J. Getty, named after his father, was born about 1874 in Michigan. Will Getty married Lizzie M. Woodfind on May 4, 1900, at Petoskey, Michigan. Lizzie was born about 1878 in Michigan to James and Elvira (Church) Woodfind. Following their marriage they made their home at Cross Village in Emmet County, Michigan. In 1910, they lived in Pearce County, Washington. They had one daughter, Irene L., born in 1906 in Nebraska. Will and Lizzie later moved to Seattle, Washington. In 1920, Will was widowed.

Elizabeth Getty was born about 1876 and was a long time resident and a teacher in Kalkaska County. She died at the age of seventy-eight in August 1956. She did not marry.
Francis "Fanny" Getty was born on September 27, 1878, in Forest Home Township, Antrim County, Michigan.

Civil War veteran William J. Getty died at his home in the village of Kalkaska on Saturday, February 22, 1902, at the age of sixty-seven. He was in his office preparing for a marriage ceremony when he was stricken with apoplexy, never regaining consciousness before his death an hour later.

William Getty's wife, Addie, died in July 1924 at the age of eighty. They are buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Kalkaska, Michigan. A Civil War military headstone and a G.A.R. flag holder mark Mr. Getty's grave.

from "Brave Boys Were They! Civil War Veterans, Kalkaska, Michigan," c. 2012, Dawn Triplett