A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 51

Author: Coolidge, Orville W
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1314

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Elizabeth Yund, whose home is at Three Rivers, Michigan; Charles Newton; and Samuel E., a farmer of Oceana county.

Dr. Sowers of this review was only five years of age when he came to Michigan with his parents. He was reared to manhood in Hamilton, Van Buren county, where he at- tended the district schools, and was also a public school student in Decatur, Michigan. He afterward engaged in teaching in Van Buren county and followed the same profes- sion in Oceana county, subsequent to the re- moval of the family to that district. He likewise served as county school commis- sioner for three succeeding terms, on the expiration of which period he resigned in order to become a student in the University of Michigan. He then entered the literary department, having pursued this course as a preparation for his more advanced profes- sional training. Matriculating in the medi- cal department, he pursued the regular course and was graduated in June, 1893, from the medical department of the Univer- sity of Michigan.

On leaving college Dr. Sowers was ap- pointed assistant surgeon in the iron mines at Lamore, Virginia, where he remained for several months, after which he returned to Michigan and entered into partnership with Dr. G. O. Switzer. They located at Pentwater, Michigan, where they remained for a year, and in the spring of 1895, Dr. Sowers came to Benton Harbor, where he opened his office. He has met with much success in his practice, which has constantly grown in volume and importance, as he has become recognized as a most able member of the profession. He belongs to the Ber- rien County Medical Association, of which he formerly served as president, and he is likewise a member of the Michigan State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Sowers was married in 1897, in Pentwater. Michigan, to Miss Homaria A. Bouton. She was born in Pentwater. They are prominent socially here and Dr. Sowers is a Knight Templar Mason. He also has membership relations with the Woodmen of America and in politics he is a Republican.

His entire life has been devoted to profes- sional labor, wherein merit and ability ob- tain advancement, progress being gained through no other methods. He has ever been a deep and earnest student of the prin- ciples and practices of medicines since de- termining upon this calling as a life work and his close adherence to a high standard of professional ethics has won him the un- qualified regard of his brethren of the medi- cal fraternity.

GEORGE J. EDGCUMBE, A. M., Ph. D., principal of the Benton Harbor College and Normal and widely known as one of the capable educators of southwestern Michigan, was born near Plymouth, England, on the 17th of November, 1844, a son of Williani and Eliza (Jayne) Edgcumbe. His early youth was passed in the place of his nativity, where he enjoyed exceptional educational advantages, his studies being carried on with some of the most noted teachers of Eng- land as his preceptors. He was an apt, earnest and thorough student and availed himself to the utmost of his opportunities, thus acquiring through diligence and study in his youth a broad knowledge, not only of the text-books that were placed in his hands, but also of historical subjects and general topics of interest. He was graduated from Toronto University in 1875, and later from the Wesleyan University in Illinois, which conferred upon him the degree of Ph. D. At the age of six years he had been brought by his parents to America, the fam- ily home being established in Toronto, Canada.

In 1876 Professor Edgcumbe came to Michigan. locating at Deerfield, Lenawee county, where he engaged in teaching school for five years. Later, in 1883, he came to Benton Harbor and accepted the superin- tendency of the city schools, in which capa- city he continued to serve for three years. While occupying that position he effected many improvements in the character of the branches taught, as well as in the methods of instruction, and succeeded in placing the schools upon a substantial and most grati- fying basis. Realizing the need of instruc-

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tion along other lines than those taught in the public schools, that the young people might be trained through special prepara- tion for the different walks of life in which they might gain a livelihood, he founded, in 1886, the 'Benton Harbor Normal and Col- legiate Institute, which he conducted with a constantly increasing attendance until 1892, when the school was incorporated under the name of the Benton Harbor College and Normal. The incorporators were G. J. Edgcumbe, Seeley McCord, George M. Val- entine, Rev. S. H. Edgcumbe, Rev. E. B. Patterson, S. A. Bailey and James Baley. These gentlemen also became the directors of the institution. Mr. McCord had been connected with Mr. Edgeumcbe in the con- duct of the Benton Harbor Normal and Collegiate Institute from 1886 until the in- corporation, and was active in the establish- ment and management of the latter institu- tion. Mr. Edgcumbe was chosen president and Mr. McCord secretary and treasurer. At the present writing, in 1906, the officers are : George J. Edgcumbe, president ; J. H. Niz, secretary ; and Fred A. Hobbs, treas- urer. These gentlemen, together with J. C. Caldwell, C. M. Edick and Dr. George M. Bell, constitute the board of directors. The school is most thoroughly organized and has made rapid strides in the lines of advance- ment and improvement from the beginning. There are now normal, kindergarten, col- legiate, business, elocution, music, fine arts, stenographic and preparatory departments, in all of which there are a large number of students enrolled. The character of the school may be understood at once from the fact that it is one of the regularly accredited preparatory schools to the state university in all courses. Its building is a fine, large structure, pleasantly located, and is well prepared to meet the de- mands for education along special lines, fit- ting the student for further collegiate work or for the duties of a practical business career. From the beginning the school has been popular and has made consecutive pro- gress, its enrollment being continually en- larged, its facilities extended and its meth- ods of instruction improved. Its students 24

have been admitted without examination to all courses of the Michigan University, Wellesley College, Northwestern University and other famous institutions of learning. Beginning with the academic year of 1892-3 the institution has been conducted under its collegiate charter. The institution is de- pendent entirely upon its merits for exis- tence and without endowment save that of energy and integrity its continuetl support depends upon nothing but skillful manage- ment and superior facilities. Its large en- rollment therefore is ample evidence of its efficiency. There is an excellent corps of teachers employed, each thorough in his par- ticular department and the work done is most satisfactorily.

In 1876 Professor Edgcumbe was mar- ried to Miss Victoria C. Bolster, a native of Canada, who has charge of the kindergar- ten department of the college, having pre- viously prepared herself for this special line of work. She is a very capable woman, of good intellectual endowments and literary culture, and her great personal interest in the little ones who come under her instruc- tion make her a most successful teacher.

In his political views Professor Edg- cumbe is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church and are deeply interested in the moral development and aesthetic and social culture of the con- munity as well as its intellectual develop- ment. They have seven times crossed the ocean and while visiting many points of historic, modern and scenic interest have also attended lectures and visited schools and colleges abroad, keeping in thorough touch with the various lines of intellectual work. Professor Edgcumbe has given to Benton Harbor an institution of learning of' which the city has every reason to be proud. and his labor has been of direct benefit to many hundreds of students who have come under his instruction.

M. G. METRAS is a well known resident of Bainbridge township. He has usually been known by the name of Mer- ritt G. Metras but because of the con- fusion occasioned by the fact that his uncle

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bears the same name he has again taken the name by which he was christened, MaGloire Metras. He was born at St. Remi, near Montreal, Canada, September 1, 1835. His father, Peter Metras, was born, lived and died in Canada and represented one of the early French families there. Three of his brothers, Joseph, Paul and Mitchell, set- tled in Berrien county. There were eight brothers altogether in the family and they were patriots, active in the Revolution of 1837-8, because of which some of the num- ber emigrated from Canada to the United States. Joseph Metras came in 1836, set- tling in Berrien county, where he spent his remaining days. Mitchell Metras arrived in 1838, locating in the same locality, and later Paul Metras came and settled as a neighbor to his brother Joseph. Subse- quently he removed to Watervliet, where he passed away. The last survivor of the three brothers was Paul Metras, who died when about seventy-three years of age, Mitchell having passed away first, while Joseph died at the age of seventy-seven years. Of the eight brothers in the family the youngest at the time of death was sixty years of age, while the eldest reached the age of eighty- four years.

M. G. Metras, whose name introduces this record, remained a resident of Canada to the age of nineteen years. He attended school at St. Edwards, where he pursued a classical course and studied Latin and Eng- lish. He began teaching at the age of sev- enteen, having charge of a primary school in his parish. His last year in college was devoted to the mastery of the English lan- guage, whereby he prepared himself for American citizenship. He came to Michigan in 1854, settling in Berrien county. His of- fice, however, in the United States was as bookkeeper for a railroad company in Indi- ana. The college at Notre Dame offered to allow him to pursue a course of study in that institution if he would teach classes in French but he wished to become an active factor in business circles and he declined the offer. He acted as bookkeeper for a railroad contractor for two years, or until the contract was completed for the building

of the line between Plymouth and Laporte, Indiana. He received forty dollars per month and his board for his services and was favored by the contractor, who was a French-Canadian, and he becoming dis- abled gave the supervision of the work there to Mr. Metras for a period of six months. He thus had fifty Irishmen under his charge when but twenty-one years of age. He saved his money, invested it in property in South Bend, Indiana, and lived there for two years. In 1858 he returned to Berrien county and purchased the land upon which he now resides. The contractor by whom he was employed wished him to come to the west in connection with railroad building, but not desiring to do this he decided to lo- cate upon his farm, comprising eighty acres of land on section 28, Bainbridge township, for which he had paid ten dollars per acre. Of this tract twenty acres had been cleared but no buildings had been erected. In March, 1858, he took up his abode thereon, built a plank house and has since lived upon the farm. His home was destroyed by fire in 1859, together with all its contents, save the clothing which the family wore. With characteristic energy, however, he erected a new residence and resolutely undertook the task of developing and improving a good farm. In 1857 his father visited him and, induced him later to return to Canada, which he did in the fall of 1864, but returned to Michigan about May I, 1865, and again took up his abode upon his farm. The home property in Canada amounted to about six thousand dollars, which he would have inherited had he re- mained, but even with that prospect he pre- ferred to leave his native country and come again to his farm in Michigan. He soon began to raise fruit here, planting sixteen or seventeen acres to peaches, which had just begun to bear when the yellows de- stroyed the trees. He had also set out ap- ples, however, so that he had an income from his fruit and subsequently he planted more peach orchards. 'As his financial re- sources increased he also began to buy more land. adding to his original purchase of one hundred and twenty acres, one hundred and

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thirty-five acres, in Pipestone township, while the home farm comprises one hun- dred and twenty acres in Bainbridge town- ship. He has improved all of his land, hav- ing placed one hundred and fifty acres alto- gether under cultivation. On his home place he has about fifty-five acres in fruit, includ- ing peaches, apples, pears and grapes. In 1905, when the apple crop was a partial failure, his sales amounted to seventeen hun- dred and seventy-six dollars and his entire sales of fruit were over forty-three hundred dollars. His farm lies nine miles east and south of Benton Harbor and is an excellent property.

In his political affiliation Mr. Metras has been classed as a Democrat but is not strictly partisan. Imbued with a love of his adopted country he has great admiration for Lincoln, Garfield, Sumner and other promi- nent leaders in public life. He became a follower of Greeley in 1872 and he now gives his support to either Republican or Democratic candidates as he sees fit, being independent in politics as well as in religion. He has reared his family, however, within the church, being a liberal Catholic. Mr. Metras has served as justice of the peace for eight years, and for six years was town- ship clerk, in both positions discharging his duties so as to win the commendation of all concerned.

Mr. Metras was married at South Bend, Indiana, in 1856, to Miss Mary J. Lacase, a niece of the contractor with whom he worked on first coming to the United States. She was born at Rochester, New York, of Canadian parents, and by their marriage they have had a family of three sons and four daughters : Louise Josephine ; Euphons- ine; L. H., who has engaged in teaching for six years, being five years superintend- ent of the schools at Hartford, Michigan, while at the present writing he is following his profession in the State of Washington; Ellen, at home; Elmer, who is living on his father's farm in Pipestone township; and Alphonse and Emma, also at home. All were born upon the home farm in Bain- bridge township. Mr. Metras is a worthy representative of that class of American citi-

zens who, though born across the border, have been attracted by business opportunities to the United States with its livelier compe- tition and advancement more quickly se- cured. Here he has found ample scope for his industry, ambition and energy, his dominant qualities, and as the years have gone by he has made an excellent record as a business man and citizen.

JOHN C. BOSTICK, M. D., engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Ben- ton Harbor, was born in Indiana in 1858. His father, Dr. Charles H. Bostick, for many years a practicing physician, was born in Batavia, New York, in 1826, and died in Manton, Michigan, in 1891. He was a grad- uate of the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, of the class of 1856, and lo- cated for practice in Indiana, where he re- mained for some time, when on account of ill health he came to Michigan, settling upon a farm near New Troy. The outdoor life proved beneficial, and when he had recup- erated he resumed the practice of his pro- fession at New Troy, where he continued his work until retiring from business life he removed to Manton, where his remaining days were passed. He married Miss Sarah A. Merrifield, who was born in New York and came with her parents to Michigan in 1845, the family settling at what is now called Coloma, Berrien county. In the fam- ily of Dr. Charles H. and Sarah A. Bos- tick were ten children, but six of the num- ber have been called from this life. Those who still survive are: Mrs. F. R. Atwood, a resident of Montrose, South Dakota; John C., of this review ; Charles H., who is living in Manton, Michigan; and Lillian, the wife of H. G. Hutzler, of the same city.

Dr. Bostick was reared to manhood at New Troy, Michigan, where he acquired his early education, passing through successive grades until he had become a high school student and graduated there. When it be- came necessary that he make choice of a life work he determined to engage in the prac- tice of medicine and followed his preliminary reading by study in Bennett Medical Col- lege at Chicago, Illinois, from which he was

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graduated with the class of 1881. He then opened an office in Manton, where he prac- ticed with much success until 1892, when seeking a still broader field of labor he came to Benton Harbor and opened an office. Those who know him-and he has a wide acquaintance-recognize his high standing in professional circles. He is well informed concerning the principles of the medical science and he engages in general practice, but makes a specialty of the use of electricity in his work.

Dr. Bostick was married in 1884, in Coldwater, Michigan, to Miss Clara L. Saunders, who was born in that city. They now have two sons: J. Glenn and Harold G., both of whom are natives of Manton. Dr. Bostick is a Republican but without po- litical aspiration. He holds membership in Lake Shore Lodge, F. & A. M., and Malta Commandery, K. T., both of Benton Har- bor, and also in the chapter of St. Joseph, Michigan. He likewise affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen. During the years of his practice he has closely studied, keeping in touch with the progress of the medical fraternity, whose rapid advancement has been unsurpassed in any line of professional activity and investigation.

CAPTAIN SAMUEL BOUGHTER, who won his title by valiant service in the Civil war, is now a conductor for the Big Four Railroad Company and one of the trusted representatives of that corporation. His birth occurred in Carlisle, Pennsyl- vania, in 1835, his parents being Samuel and Mary Jane (Byers) Boughter, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state and died there during the early youth of their son Samuel. In his boyhood days Captain Boughter pursued his education in one of the old-time log school houses at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and when eighteen years of age he went to Indiana, where he learned the carpenter's trade, following that pursuit until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He had watched with interest the pro- gress of events in the south, had noted the threatening attitude of the slave holding

states and his patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt to overthrow the Union. Ac- cordingly in 1861 he joined Company F of the Twelfth Indiana Infantry as a private for one year's service. On the expiration of that period he re-enlisted in the same reg- iment, which was then re-organized, once more entering the ranks, but in May, 1862, he was promoted on the field to first lieu- tenant in recognition of meritorious service in battle. In June, 1862, he was appointed captain of his company and in May, 1865, he was brevetted major. His second term of enlistment was for three years, and he continued at the front until June, 1865, when the war having ended he was mustered out at Indianapolis at the close of hostilities. He made a creditable record as a soldier, do- ing his full duty at all times and under all circumstances and his own bravery and loyalty often inspired the members of his company to deeds of valor and heroism.

When the war was over Captain Bough- ter went to Warsaw, Indiana, and worked as a shoveler on the grade of the Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railroad, now a part of the Big Four system, which was then be- ing built. He continued in construction work for four years, when he received an appointment to the position of freight con- ductor, running between Anderson and Goshen, Indiana. He remained in that ca- pacity until January, 1880, when in an ac- cident he was crippled. On the 23rd of August, 1880, he was appointed passenger conductor, which position he still fills, hav- ing remained continuously with the com- pany, and since 1884 he has made his home in Benton Harbor. He is one of the oldest employes in years of continued service for the Big Four Railroad Company and has the entire confidence and trust of those whom he represents. In his service he is ever courteous and obliging to the patrons of the road and has won many friends among those who regularly travel over his route.

In 1866 Captain Boughter was married, in Goshen, Indiana, to Miss Mary H. Er- vin, a native of that state. They have two children : William E., who was born in Warsaw, Indiana, and married Mrs. Jessie

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( Kelly ) Ormich, of Benton Harbor; and Elizabeth C., who was also born in War- saw. Captain Boughter has never seen rea- son to transfer his allegiance from the Re- publican party since he gave to it his first presidential vote when age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 73, at Warsaw, Indiana, also the Grand Army Post at that place and the Elks lodge, No. 544, of Ben- ton Harbor. His record has been a credit- able one and his military service is a chapter in his life history of which he has every rea- son to be proud. In business affairs, too, he has been notably prompt and reliable and is a man who has displayed many excellent traits of character, making him worthy of the esteem and confidence of all who have regard for sterling worth.

FRANK B. MOORE, a dry goods mer- chant of Benton Harbor, whose business career has been one of continuous advance- ment, was born in Michigan in 1867. His paternal grandfather was William Moore, a native of Scotland, who, on crossing the Atlantic took up his abode in Canada, His son, William J. Moore, was born in Scot- land and was a young lad at the time of the emigration of the family to America. The voyage was made upon a sailing vessel and he was reared to manhood in Canada, where he remained until after the close of the Civil war, when he came to Michigan, settling in Huron county. A carpenter by trade, he afterward became a contractor and builder and followed that pursuit in the eastern part of Michigan. He married Miss Elsie Smith, who died when forty-seven years of age, and the death of Mr. Moore occurred when he was seventy years of age. In their fam- ily were six children, of whom five are liv- ing : Mrs. Elizabeth Mckinney, who resides in Spokane, Washington; Mrs. Agnes Hol- setin, a resident of Port Hope, Michigan; Mrs. Elsie Bisbee, who is also living in Port Hope; Frank B., of Benton Harbor; and Hira C., a resident of Columbiaville, Mich- igan.

Frank B. Moore pursued his education in the schools of Port Hope and in Berrien

University School, and when he had put aside his text-books to enter upon an active business career he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the employ of W. R. Staf- ford, of Port Hope. He also had charge of the docks of that firm, with which he con- tinued for five years. At the age of twenty- one years he served as town clerk of his township and was recognized as one of the representative young men of his commun- ity. He afterward became buyer and man- ager of the William Peters large general store at Columbus, Michigan, where he con- tinued for five years, after which he was with L. F. Burdick at Sturgis, Michigan, having charge of the dry goods department for three years. Later he went to Flint, Michigan, where he was with E. Trump and in 1898 he came to Benton Harbor as buyer for Enders & Company. He had charge of the dry goods department of that house for three years, and in 1901 he became a partner in the firm of Moore & Rowe, which rela- tion was maintained for a year, when the firm became Enders, Moore & Company. They also own a branch store in St. Joseph, Michigan, and carry on a general dry goods business, theirs being one of the most reli- able houses in the twin cities. Mr. Moore has had more than twenty years experience in the business life and displays keen discrimi- nation and unfaltering enterprise. He read- ily recognizes the possibilities of a situation and carefully directs his efforts along lines which prove resultant factors in the control of important and successful business ven- tures. He has made an enviable reputation for upright dealing and occupies today a prominent place in social circles in the twin cities.

In 1892 in Flint, Michigan, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Ida Finley, a native of Flint, of this state. Unto them have been born two children: Estella A., whose birth occurred in Columbiaville, Michigan, in 1893, and Beatrice A., born in Benton Harbor in 1903. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Moore is a member of the Masonic bodies and also has membership re- lations with the Maccabees and the Modern

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 51

Author: Coolidge, Orville W Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1314

Author: Coolidge, Orville W
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1314