My Genealogy Hound

IRA R. STEMM. Mr. Stemm is an experienced farmer and fruit-raiser of Oronoko Township, Berrien County, Mich., the great natural resources of which region have been developed by the practical and intelligent toil of such men as Mr. Stemm, who is recognized as a man full of spirit and business enterprise. He is a native of the Keystone State, born in 1846, and is the son of Adam K. and Elizabeth (Reiber) Stemm, Pennsylvania Germans.

The Stemm family is an old and prominent one of Pennsylvania, the first members having settled in that State at a period antedating the Revolution. The Reiber family came originally from Germany, the grandfather of our subject having emigrated to this country when but a lad. The members of both families were people of considerable importance in the counties in which they resided; uprightness and honesty marked their career, and they had the unbounded confidence of all with whom they came in contact. Adam K. Stemm followed the occupation of a farmer all his life, and left his native State for Michigan in 1868. He settled in Berrien County, and here he and his most estimable wife reside at the present time. He is in his seventieth and his wife in her sixty-seventh year, and both hold membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Their children, five in number, named in the order of their births, are as follows: I. R.; Mary E., wife of John H. Stover, of Berrien County; Sarah M., wife of Henry J. Moyer, also of this county; William, of Berrien Springs; and Regina, wife of George Fogle.

The original of this sketch received his education in the common and higher schools of his native county in Pennsylvania, and continued in the same until eighteen years of age. For some time after this he taught school and then entered a dry-goods store as clerk, where he remained for some time. Returning to the farm, he remained on the same until his parents removed to Michigan, when he came with them and engaged as a house carpenter, following this for some time. In 1873 he purchased his present farm of forty acres, partially improved, with a shell of a house and twenty acres cleared. For this land he paid $50 per acre and he now has it all cleared and under cultivation. His buildings are all first-class and are ornaments to the place.

In 1889 he purchased still more land, thirty-five acres, with ten acres cleared, and for this paid $50 per acre. He has lovely residences on both places and is prosperous and happy. He possesses the integrity of character and honesty of purpose for which the stock from which he sprang has been noted, and may well take an honest pride in his sterling ancestors. He has filled quite a number of important township offices since 1885, being Highway Commissioner for five years, on the Board of Review for two years, Township Treasurer in 1892, and in 1893 he was elected Township Supervisor. Like many young men commencing life in a new country, Mr. Stemm had but little means to start with, but he persevered and is now not only one of the substantial men of the township, but is well liked by all, having gained by his generosity, hospitality and kindness a host of warm friends.

Mr. Stemm was married in 1873 to a most estimable lady, Miss Mary M. Feather, of this county, and daughter of Daniel T. and Caroline (Bechtel) Feather, both natives of Pennsylvania and of German parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Feather were among the original settlers of Berrien County and they were most worthy citizens. To Mr. and Mrs. Stemm were born two children: Albert and Dora V., both at home. On his farm Mr. Stemm raises strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and grapes, and has about seven acres devoted to them. He also raises apples and peaches, having all the leading varieties, and has three acres in the orchard. He and Mrs. Stemm are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and contribute liberally to its support.