LEWIS SUTHERLAND is of Scotch descent, the son of Lot Sutherland, and was born in Barker, Broome Co., N.Y., Feb. 28, 1831, being the sixth in a family of nine children. His mother died when he was but seven years of age. In 1836 he came with his father’s family to Michigan, and lived with them near Kalamazoo. About 1839 his father removed to Bainbridge township, Berrien County, and purchased one hundred acres of land on section 27, and there the boyhood days of the son were passed, without incident save such as are common in the lives of farmers’ boys. He acquired a fair education, enabling him to engage in any ordinary business. When nineteen years of age he took up his residence at the home of John Morgan, in Bainbridge, and remained with him three years. Being desirous of witnessing life in the mining region of California, Mr. Morgan went to that Sate, leaving Mr. Sutherland to care for his family, and promising to pay him one-fourth of his net earnings in the land of gold. When the time for settlement arrived the sum amounted to five hundred and sixty-two dollars and fifty cents, and with it Mr. Sutherland purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 23 in Benton township. In 1860, when twenty-nine years of age, he was married, at Battle Creek, to Miss Matilda Howard, who was born in Kane Co., Ill., March 12, 1843. She is the daughter of Joseph and Anna D. Howard, and the oldest of seven children. Her parents settled in Bainbridge township, Berrien County, when she was but four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have been the parents of six children, of whom but four are living.

Sterling L. Sutherland was born Feb. 23, 1861; Edgar B., born April 17, 1864, died Aug. 14, 1866; Grace C., born Jan. 1, 1866, died Aug. 18, 1866; Addie E., born Aug. 4, 1867; Darwin B., born May 16, 1869; Lot F., born May 16, 1871. In 1860, Mr. Sutherland sold his farm on section 23 and purchased eighty acres on section 36, and has since purchased an equal amount adjoining it. He also owns real estate in various other localities, and is the possessor of three hundred and ten acres in all. At the death of his father, in 1866, Mr. Sutherland received as his share of the estate two hundred and fifty dollars.

Mr. Sutherland is, politically, a Democrat; has held the position of highway commissioner for three years, and has filled other minor offices. On religious subjects his views are liberal. He is a man of strictly temperate habits, thoroughly upright in his business transactions, and by his fellow-townsmen is classed among their most valuable citizens. He is a most successful farmer, and has triumphed over all difficulties since his humble beginning in the battlefield of life.

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... Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have been born six children; Sterling, a successful fruit grower of Benton township, who owns eighty acres of land; Darwin B., who is also engaged in horticultural pursuits, largely devoting his attention to the cultivation of peaches; Lott F., a farmer and fruit grower of Benton township; Addie, who married Rodney C. Pearl, and two children who died in youth.

While Mr. Sutherland is not actively connected with any business enterprise at the present time he is yet a director in the State Bank of Benton Harbor, In 1902 he built the Masonic Temple of Benton Harbor, he being deeply interested in Masonry, having become a member of the craft in 1852. He has been most loyal to its teachings and tenets and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He belongs to the Universalist Church and has been a champion of many progressive public movements. He has always been a warm friend of the cause of education and was instrumental in establishing some of the earlier schools of the county, while for many years he served as school director and for three years was a highway commissioner. His political allegiance has long been given to the Democracy. In the midst of an active life he has ever found opportunity to assist in any movement for the general welfare and his labors have been effective and far reaching.

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