My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. WILLIAM A. BOSWELL, President of the Boswell & Pike Ferry Company and a prominent resident of Benton Harbor, is at the head of one of the successful enterprises of Berrien County. The other officers are J. S. Morton, Treasurer; Linus Chadwick, Secretary; and J. H. Pike, Chief Engineer. The company owns and runs four boats: the “Joe,” capacity two hundred and fifty passengers, of which Capt. Boswell is master; the steel tug “McCormick,” one hundred passengers; the “Richmond,” with a capacity of one hundred and fifty passengers; and the “George D. Sanford, Jr.,” a screw propeller, with a capacity of two hundred passengers.

Near the opening years of the present century, a lad named Ezra Boswell emigrated from his native land, Scotland, to America, and settled in South Carolina. Some years later he came to Michigan and located in Berrien County, but at present he makes his home in Greenfield, Tenn. He married Miss Sarah Connelly, who was born in Maryland, and was the daughter of Capt. Allen Connelly, a native of Ireland and for many years a sea-captain. Among the children born to this worthy couple was one whom they named William A., and whose birth occurred in Royalton Township, Berrien County, Mich., on the 17th of July, 1847.

At the age of ten years our subject secured a position as cabin boy on a lake vessel and was afterward promoted, remaining on the Lakes until some time after the commencement of the Civil War. When less than sixteen years of age he enlisted in defense of the Union, and on the 5th of June, 1863, his name was enrolled as a member of Company B, Ninth Michigan Infantry, commanded by Col. Henry Duffield. His regiment was incorporated in the Army of the Cumberland, participating in its marches and engagements, including the entire campaign to Atlanta. Our subject was wounded at the battle of Resaca, Ga., and again at the battle of Decatur, Ala. At the close of the war he was mustered out of the service at Nashville, Tenn., on the 23d of November, 1865.

Returning to Berrien County, Mr. Boswell purchased eighty acres, paying for the same with money he had saved during the war, and giving the land to his parents for their home. He then went on the Lakes again and served for five years with the Goodrich Line, occupying different positions. In 1872 he bought a steam river boat for freight and passengers, plying between St. Joseph and Niles, this State, but on October 14 of the same year the boat was burned. Afterward Mr. Boswell purchased a passenger boat, which was the first running between Pent Water, Ludington and Manistee. In 1876 he returned to St. Joseph, and for a time engaged in the tug business; he also purchased a steam ferry boat, which he ran between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. These interests he disposed of in 1880 and entered the employ of the Graham & Morton Company, remaining with them until 1890, after which he sailed a Government tug for one year.

In the year 1891 Capt. Boswell formed a partnership with J. H. Pike, under the firm name of the Boswell & Pike Ferry Company, a connection which still continues. Politically, he is firm in his adherence to the Democratic party. In the year 1890 he was appointed Deputy Game and Fish Warden of Berrien County, and still fills that position. Socially, he is a member of Lake Shore Lodge No. 298, F. & A. M., and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a charter member of the Uniformed Rank, K. P., and was one of the prime factors in the organization of Purila Lodge No. 117, at Benton Harbor. He is also a charter member of the Knights of the Maccabees and is influential in George H. Thomas Post No. 14, G. A. R.

On the 13th of November, 1873, occurred the marriage of Capt. Boswell to Miss Etta, daughter of Perry Brooks. She is an accomplished lady, who also holds a high place in the regard of her acquaintances. The union has been blessed by the birth of two sons: Claude W. and Walter Leo. Mrs. Boswell is an active worker in the Congregational Church, and the Captain, while not identified with any religious organization, is a liberal contributor to the work. The family residence is at No. 120 Belleview Avenue.