History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 150

W. E. SOUTHWICK

This enterprising farmer and representative citizen is a native of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, born on a farm in Wakeshma township, March 9, 1861. His father was Elijah B. Southwick, and his mother before her marriage bore the maiden name of Harriett Brown. These parents lived for many years in the above county, but in the spring of 1884 disposed of their possessions there and moved to the county of Wexford, settling in Wexford township, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father dying at the age of eighty-two and the mother when sixty-eight years old. W. E. Southwick was reared to agricultural pursuits, received a fair education in the public schools, and with the exception of about two years spent in the county of St. Joseph, this state, lived in Kalamazoo county until his removal, in January, 1884, to the county of Wexford. On coming to this county he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in section 27, Wexford township, and on this he has since lived with the exception of one year, devoting his time and energies to the improvement of his land, being now the possessor of one of the most productive as well as one of the most valuable farms in his part of the country. He has good buildings and has spared no labor or pains in surrounding himself with comforts and conveniences, his home being beautiful and attractive, and he is now well situated to enjoy the many material blessings which his labors have earned. Mr. Southwick was married in Wexford township, April 25, 1897, to Miss Bertha L. Hill, who was born June 14, 1877, in St. Joseph county, Michigan, the daughter of Henry C. and Luella A. (Smalley) Hill. Mrs. Southwick is the oldest of a family of three children, her parents still living in Wexford township where they settled in 1897, moving here from Grand Traverse county. Mr. Southwick has taken an active interest in the affairs of his community, having been honored by his fellow citizens with several positions of trust, including that of township supervisor and school inspector. Some years ago he made a trip to the far west and spent considerable time in the state of Washington, besides traveling over other states and territories and visiting many places of natural and historic interest. He is a man of broad views and progressive ideas, highly esteemed by his neighbors and fellow citizens, being always ready to grant any favors within his power to bestow and showing a willingness to assist any worthy enterprise for the material advancement or moral good of the community. Fraternally he is a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to Sherman Lodge No. 372, at Sherman. In closing this brief review suffice it to state that Mr. Southwick is a worthy example of sterling American citizenship, the product of our splendid public school system and the sturdy farm life, sources from which have sprung much of the moral bone and sinew of the great northwest. Enterprising, energetic and fully alive to the questions of the hour, with an inclination to perform his civic duties from conscientious motives and with a due regard for the rights and privileges of others, he attends strictly to his own affairs, at the same time losing sight of self in his laudable endeavors to promote the welfare of his fellow men. With no ambition for public distinction, he has settled down to the quiet enjoyment of life and possessing the esteem of all with whom he has relations of any kind, his future is bright with the promise of a long and useful career.