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MOSES BOWERMAN, a pioneer settler of Lenawee County, established himself in Raisin Township in the fall of 1832. He was one of the first to brave the dangers and difficulties of life in a new settlement, and bears the distinction of being one of the most useful members of a community to which he came when it was just struggling into existence. Among the vicissitudes of a long and changeful life he has acquitted himself in a most creditable manner, having been enterprising, industrious, liberal-minded, and in all respects an honest man and a good citizen. He contributed his full quota toward [Page 323] the development of the resources of Raisin Township, and enjoys the universal esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. In his somewhat lengthy journey of life he has been accompanied by one of the most excellent of women, who has proved to him a faithful wife and helpmeet, been his wise counselor in times of toil and difficulty, and is now the honored sharer of his latter successes and the comfortable home which they have jointly built up from the wilderness.
Our subject was born in Providence Township, Saratoga Co., N.Y., Nov. 27, 1811. His father, also Moses, was a native of Massachusetts, and was twice married, his second wife being Miss Eunice Dexter, who became the mother of our subject. The latter was four years of age when his parents migrated from Saratoga to Wayne County and located in Ontario Township, where the death of the father took place eight years later. The mother with her children then took up residence in Niagara County, where they remained until 1832, and where our subject developed into manhood. Soon after reaching his nineteenth birthday he was married, and accompanied by his wife and a number of families, mainly his relatives, started for the Territory of Michigan. They all took up their abode upon a portion of the uncultivated land in Raisin Township, and Mr. Bowerman was the pioneer of the timber tract, taking the lead in exploring its wilds and entering eighty acres from the Government. Their first dwelling consisted of a shanty with a shake roof, and here the young couple commenced life together. Wild game was plentiful, and their larder contained some of the choicest meats to be found then or now. It is probable that they were far more contented and happy than many of the households established to-day with more luxurious surroundings; they had more labor and more real, substantial comfort. They can remember at least how glad they were to find a resting- place, as the journey from New York had been accomplished laboriously, first by canal to Buffalo, thence by Lake to Detroit, and from there with ox-teams.
When Mr. Bowerman started out with his young wife to seek his fortune in the West he possessed a capitol of $170. After he had purchased his land and a cow, he had nothing left, and began to work for his neighbors by the day or month as he could secure employment. The people about him respected him for his determination and industry. The pioneers made it a rule to help those who had a disposition to help themselves, and though many of them were in the same condition as our subject, where there was a will there was a way, and if they could not give money they frequently bestowed its equivalent, and with a mutual interest all worked together, usually with the happiest results.
Young Bowerman pursued the even tenor of his way, undismayed by hardships and difficulties, and in due time began to realize the reward of his labors. He felled the trees around his pioneer dwelling, and as time passed by gradually brought the land to a good state of cultivation. Not many years later the wilderness was transformed into smiling fields with growing grain, and the shanty on section 33 was superceded by a substantial brick dwelling on section 26. Adjacent to this there soon appeared a good barn and various other out-buildings, and the homestead is now one of the most desirable in Raisin Township. The property includes 120 acres of land, and Mr. and Mrs. Bowerman in their declining years are enjoying the fruits of their industry, blessed with the confidence and esteem of a host of friends. There is a snug bank account and plenty to supply them with every comfort as long as they live.
Mr. Bowerman was reared by his excellent parents in the Quaker faith, to which the grandparents on the father’s side had rigidly adhered. These latter possessed the simple and honest attributes of that peculiar people, and were widely known and greatly respected in the Empire State. Moses Bowerman, Jr., was one of the organizers of the Friends in Raisin Township, and has been one of the most faithful representatives of the faith in this section, giving liberally of his time and means to establish and maintain it.
The wife of our subject, to whom he was united in marriage in Royalton Township, Niagara Co., N.Y., Feb. 9, 1831, was in her girlhood Miss Zilpha Haviland, a native of that county, and born in Providence Township, Jan. 9, 1812. Her father, Charles Haviland, was also a native of the Empire State, where he carried on farming and also offic- [Page 324] iated as a minister of the Quaker Church. He married in early manhood, Miss Esther Mosher, also a native of New York State, and a bright light in the Society of Friends, in which she was also a talented speaker. Mr. Haviland and his wife came to Michigan in the spring of 1833, and located in Raisin Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The mother passed away on the 10th of January, 1840, and the father, surviving seventeen years, died Dec. 17, 1856. Their household included twelve children, of whom Zilpha was the tenth.
Mrs. Bowerman was carefully trained in all housewifely duties by her excellent mother and remained under the home roof until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born thirteen children, of whom seven are deceased, namely: Eunice, who died in infancy; Martha, when twenty-two years old; Eunice, (2d), at the age of two years; Daniel when one year old; Cordeia Ann at the age of three years; Rosalinda at forty-five years, and Mary at forty-three years. Esther, the eldest daughter living, is the wife of Solomon Dye, a farmer of Nebraska; Moses is married and engaged in the lumber business in Summit City, this state; Nancy, who married James Kennedy, is living at home with her parents; Louisa is the wife of James Starm, and a resident of Raisin Township; Sarah married Charles Widney, and is a resident of Louisiana, while Ellen J. married Orlando Westgate, and lives in Raisin Township.
The picture of this excellent old couple, passing their last years together in the home built up by so many years of labor and patience, and which is now replete with comfort, is one eminently pleasing to contemplate. They have lived long and worthily, and their names will be held in kindly rememberance years after the places that now know them shall know them no more.
