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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1893.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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LEWIS SUTHERLAND, a prosperous general farmer and substantial citizen of Berrien County, Mich., has been a constant resident of Benton Township for more than two-score years. A native of New York, he was born in Broome County in 1831, The Empire State was also the birthplace and long-time home of his parents, Lot and Lydia (Bliss) Sutherland. The paternal great-grandfather emigrated from Scotland to the United States in an early day. Our subject was one of the eight sons and daughters who blessed the home of his parents. A little boy five years of age, he accompanied his father and mother to Michigan in 1836, and with them settled in Kalamazoo, which was then unnamed, having only a land-office. After four years the family located in Berrien County, making their home in Bainbridge Township, where Lewis attained to mature years.

Mr. Sutherland received a good common-school education in the district of his home, and with diligence improved every opportunity for educational advancement. Trained by his parents into habits of thrifty industry, he arrived at manhood energetic and enterprising. In 1853, he began life for himself, and, coming to Benton Township, received immediate employment in the service of Maj. Pearl. At about that same time he invested his small capital in a quarter-section of land, and since, winning his way rapidly upward, has become the owner of large tracts of valuable acres.

In 1860, Lewis Sutherland and Miss Matilda A. Howard, daughter of Joseph S. Howard, were united in marriage. Unto Mr. Sutherland and his estimable wife were born six children, two of whom died when young. The three sons surviving are Sterling L., Darwin B. and Lot F., all practical and successful general agriculturists and men of usefulness and influence in Benton Township. The daughter, Addie, is the wife of Rodney Pearl, a son of Maj. L. W. Pearl, and is also a resident of Benton Township. The sons and daughter, reared amid the scenes of their childhood, have each and all enjoyed the benefit of the best instruction afforded by their home locality. Well fitted for life’s duties, they have now become prominent factors in the development of the social and business enterprises of the county, and command the confidence and esteem of the entire community, with whom, as life-time friends and neighbors, they have been long associated.

Mr. Sutherland votes the Democratic ticket, and has discharged with efficiency the duties pertaining to various town offices. Fraternally, he is a valued member of the Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons. He was also one of the charter members of Pearl Grange and has been an active worker in that organization. Our subject has never had a mortgage on his property, nor ever had a law suit. Devoting his life mainly to the tilling of the soil, he has achieved great success, and as a representative agriculturist and citizen of broad views has materially aided in the rapid advancement and progressive interests of Berrien County. Widely known, he is universally regarded as a man of ability and sterling integrity of character.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published in 1893. 

View additional Berrien County, Michigan family biographies here: Berrien County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Berrien County, Michigan here: Berrien County Michigan Map

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