Lewis Sutherland

As printed in 1906

LEWIS SUTHERLAND, of Benton Harbor, a retired farmer and horticulturist, dates his residence in Michigan from 1836 and in Berrien county from 1840. A few of the old time settlers can remember the conditions which existed in this part of the state at that time. Only at rare intervals could be found a tract of land that had been placed under the plow. The forests were uncut and in their midst roamed various kinds of wild animals. There were also herds of deer and many kinds of lesser game. The rivers were unbridged and only here and there had a road been cut through the forest. A wonderful transformation has been wrought since that time, for the traveler today sees little or none of the native forests, but finds in its place well cultivated orchards

0>layC (£ iJfZ;udcyjL bearing their fruit in season and proving a vast source of revenue to the county.

Mr. Sutherland, who is now retired after many years of active connection with business interests, was born in Barker, Broome county. New York, on the 28th of February, 1 83 1, his parents being Lot and Lydia (BHss) Sutherland. The father was a farmer by occupation and spent his earlier life in the Empire State. He came to Michigan in 1836, settling at Kalamazoo, where he lived for four years, after which he came to Berrien county, locating in Bainbridge township near Millburg, where he followed the occupation of farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1873. His wife, however, had passed away shortly after their arrival in Michigan and the father had reared his family of eight children, three of whom are now living. His political support was given to the Democracy, but he was never active in politics.

Lewis Sutherland is familiar with all of the pioneer experiences of Berrien county, living here when this district was a frontier region. He attended the first school of Bainbridge township, the 'little temple of learning" being a log building. He can rememlDer seeing a drove of twenty-five deer pass by the schoolhouse. The methods of instruction were as primitive as was the school building and its furnishings, but in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. His training at farm labor was not meager, for at an early age he assisted in the arduous task of developing the new fields and caring for the crops. Throughout his active business career he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and fruit-raising. Early coming to a realization of the special adaptability of the county to horticulture he began raising various kinds of fruits and this proved to him a profitable source of income. He has performed the difficult task of clearing land, has turned the first furrows on many a field and as the years went by he reaped a good financial return for his labors, owing to the productiveness of the soil and his capable business methods. He continued to reside upon the farm until 1901 when he removed to Benton Harbor and purchased his present fine home on Superior street. He was the owner of about four hundred acres of valuable land in Benton township, which he has now divided among his sons. In 1860 he was married to Miss Matilda A. Howard, a daughter of Joseph S. Howard, of Ohio, who came to Michigan at an early day and here followed farming. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have been born six children: Sterling, a successful fruit grower of Benton township, who owns eighty acres of land; Darwin B., who is also engaged in horticultural pursuits, largely devoting his attention to the cultivation of peaches; Lott F., a farmer and fruit grower of Benton township; Addie, who married Rodney C. Pearl, and two children who died in youth. While Mr. Sutherland is not actively connected with any business enterprise at the present time he is yet a director in the State Bank of Benton Harbor. In 1902 he built the Masonic Temple of Benton Harbor, being deeply interested in Masonry, having become a member of the craft in 1852. He has been most loyal to its teachings and tenets and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He belongs to the Universalist Church and has been a champion of many progressive public movements. He has always been a warm friend of the cause of education and was instrumental in establishing some of the earlier schools of the county, while for many years he served as a school director and for three years was highway commissioner. His political allegiance has long been given to the Democracy. In the midst of an active life he has ever found opportunity to assist in any movement for the general welfare and his labors have been effective and far reaching.

As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.