My Genealogy Hound

LEWIS STORMS. It is with pleasure that we trace the history of those of the early pioneers of Berrien County who have persevered through trials and hardships and have at last reached the point where they can enjoy the wealth and prosperity which rightly belong to them. In the life of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, we find such a history, and the popularity that belongs to such a man is the just meed which his neighbors are glad to pay to his worth and work.

This representative pioneer of Berrien County, who resides on section 32, Niles Township, is a product of the Empire State, born in Cayuga County, February 23, 1818. His parents, Samuel and Clarissa (Hill) Storms, were natives also of the State of New York, and there they were married. Following this they located in Centreport, where the father followed his trade of carriage-maker, continuing this until about a year previous to his death, when he bought a farm near Arcade, N. Y. There he died when about sixty years of age. His wife lived to be about eighty-six years of age. They were the parents of ten children, our subject being fourth in order of birth.

Lewis Storms remained with his parents until eight years of age, and then went to live with an old Presbyterian deacon by the name of Hamilton, and remained with him until about twenty years of age, working on a farm. Later he worked by the month for one year near Syracuse, N. Y., and then, in 1844, came direct to Michigan and located in Berrien County. He engaged in chopping wood and clearing land, working by the month, and received $10 per month for his services. Right in this county, working by the month, Mr. Storms laid the foundation for his subsequent prosperous career. The usual experience of pioneer life marked his boyhood, and he early decided that farming was his vocation. Although he did not have a cent when he first came to this county, he was possessed of a wonderful amount of push and pluck, and at first worked almost every way to make an honorable living. He bought horses, matched them, and then sold them at a profit. Later he bought a farm of eighty acres, all wild land, settled on this and began making improvements.

He chose his wife in the person of Miss Lydia Baker, daughter of Nathan Baker, and took his bride to the log house he had erected on his farm. He cut the logs and built the house himself, and he and his young companion began housekeeping in a very modest way, their furniture being of the simplest description. He partly cleared this farm, but subsequently moved on the farm where he now lives. This farm consists of two hundred and fifteen acres, the most of it under cultivation, and is one of the finest rural homes in the township. Mr. Storms has every reason to be proud of the fruits of his labor and of the energy and good judgment he has displayed in the management of his fine farm. He is a self-made man in all that the words imply, and all that he has accumulated has been the result of industry and economy on the part of himself and his estimable lady.

As the years passed by there gathered around his hearthstone two bright children, Edmund B. and Martha, the latter now the wife of Fred Young, of Niles Township. Mr. Storms political views bring him into action with the Republican party, and he has great faith in the principles proclaimed by that party. He held the office of County Treasurer for some time and has held other positions of importance, such as Supervisor and Township Treasurer.