My Genealogy Hound

FRED McOMBER, M. D., editor and proprietor of the Berrien Springs Era, was born in Orleans County, N. Y., on the 23d of January, 1846. He traces his lineage to Scotland, and the family of which he is a member was one of the first represented in America. His grandfather on the paternal side, Pardon McOmber, was born in Connecticut, as was also his father, Asa. The mother of our subject was Marilla, daughter of John Gray and a native of New York State.

One in a family of eight, the subject of this biographical notice was reared to manhood in Orleans County, N. Y., receiving a common-school education. A mere lad when the war broke out, he was fired with the spirit of patriotism and desire to serve his country, and, accordingly, enlisted as a member of Company C, Eighth New York Heavy Artillery, Col. Peter A. Porter, of Niagara Falls, commanding. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, Second Division, Second Brigade, Second Army Corps. Dr. McOmber participated in nearly all the battles of the Wilderness. During the battle of Cold Harbor, on the 4th of June, 1864, a shell struck a tree about eight feet above his head and somewhat shocked Dr. McOmber, who, however, received no serious injury therefrom except a small wound on his arm. He remained with his regiment, taking part in all its engagements and marches until he was mustered out of the service at the close of the war.

After having been honorably discharged in May, 1865, Dr. McOmber returned to his old home in Orleans County, N. Y., and a short time afterward went to Canandaigua, N. Y., where he remained until 1867, learning the trade of a jeweler. In 1868 he made a tour of Iowa for the purpose of selecting a suitable location, but finding nothing satisfactory he went to Chicago, where he was in business and studying medicine for eighteen months. Later, he came to Michigan, and remained in Benton Harbor for three months. In January, 1869, he located in Berrien Springs, where he has since resided. For several years he engaged in merchandising. In 1870 he established the Berrien Springs Dispensary for the treatment of chronic diseases and the opium habit, as well as the liquor and tobacco habits, and has met with much success in this line. He is also the compounder of some very valuable remedies, in the sale of which he has built up a large trade, and also has several inventions for the treatment of chronic diseases, especially of the lungs, by medicated vapor, compressed air, etc.

In 1873 Dr. McOmber was appointed Postmaster of Berrien Springs, and served with efficiency for ten years. His journalistic career commenced in 1873, at which time he established a monthly paper, which had the distinction of being the first paper published in Berrien Springs. This paper was called Gold and Silver. In 1874 it was merged into a weekly and the title changed to the Berrien County Journal, which, after editing and publishing for several months, he sold. In 1876 he established a weekly paper, an eight-column folio, Republican in politics and neat in its typographical appearance, which he called the Berrien Springs Era, the only paper now published in the place. The publication of this he still conducts in connection with his medical industry.

The marriage of Dr. McOmber occurred in 1872, and united him with Miss Minnie M., the daughter of the Hon. James Graham, an early settler of Berrien County, who served as Sheriff and also as a member of the Legislature. Dr. and Mrs. McOmber are the parents of one child, Graham O. Socially, Dr. McOmber is identified with Kilpatrick Post No. 39, G. A. R.; Western Star Lodge No. 39, A. F. & A. M., and other fraternal organizations. He was largely interested in the establishment of the St. Joseph Valley Railroad in 1889, and served as its General Manager for some time. He owns a half-interest in the Hotel Oronoko, erected as a sanitarium and for the accommodation of summer visitors, and it is already quite popular thoughout this section of country. Always interested in educational matters, Dr. McOmber has rendered efficient service as a member of the School Board, and has done all in his power toward advancing the standard of education in his vicinity, and as a public-spirited citizen he has done a great deal to build up and advance the interests of Berrien Springs.