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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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HIRAM SCOVILL, a successful business man and representative citizen of Dowagiac, Cass County, Mich., occupied the Mayoral chair of the city for several terms, and by his efficient administration of public affairs materially advanced the interests of his home locality. He has also filled with ability other positions of trust, and as an official was distinguished for his straightforward course and upright character. Our subject is a practical harness-maker, and has for several years prosperously conducted a harness and saddlery business. Mr. Scovill was born in the university town of Ann Arbor, Mich., January 10, 1839, and was the youngest of seven, children who gathered about the fireside of Hiram and Mary (Berdan) Scovill. The father was a native of the Empire State and was reared and educated in near the locality of his birth. He remained in New York until he had attained early manhood, when he journeyed to the then far West and located in Michigan in the pioneer days.

The mother of our subject was Miss Berdan, a cousin of the renowned Col. Berdan, a military man of note among the sharp-shooters of the late Civil War. Col. Berdan was the inventor of the famous Berdan rifle. Mr. Scovill came to Dowagiac when a young man, and worked at his trade as a journeyman for Daniel Lyle for a number of years. After a time he went into the harness business in partnership with Arthur Smith, and about 1884 bought out Mr. Smith, and has since that time carried on the business by himself. In all public affairs and matters of mutual welfare our subject is liberal and enterprising, and can be relied upon to lend a helping hand. He was for many years one of the Trustees of the town, and since Dowagiac has been incorporated as a city has served a term as Alderman. His election to the office of Mayor, and his subsequent return twice to the honored and influential position, clearly indicate the firm hold Mr. Scovill has upon the esteem and confidence of his fellow-townsmen.

Fraternally, our subject is a leading member of Peninsular Lodge No. 214, A. F. & A. M., and is now Master of the lodge, at present serving his eighth term in that capacity. The estimable wife of our subject, to whom he was united in marriage January 11, 1860, was Miss Elvira Andrews, of Waterford, Wayne County, Mich. She was a daughter of Perry Andrews, an old resident of Wayne County. Mr. and Mrs. Scovill are the parents of two sons. The elder, Hiram Milton Scovill, is now a resident of Detroit, and is engaged as Yard master at the Detroit Central Yards. Harry Perry Scovill is connected in business relations with the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad.

Among the other leading enterprises of Cass County is the Dowagiac Union Fair Association, of which Mr. Scovill has been President three terms. Aside from his other duties, social and fraternal, our subject has been actively interested in all matters of local politics, and, a stanch Republican, has ably represented his friends and neighbors as a delegate to State and county conventions.

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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 Cass County, Michigan family biographies here: Cass County, Michigan Biographies

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

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