My Genealogy Hound

PETER WOMER, a leading citizen and enterprising agriculturist, of fine executive ability, now residing upon his valuable homestead, located upon section 7, Bertrand Township, Berrien County, Mich., has with efficiency discharged the duties of various town offices, and is widely known as an energetic and public-spirited man, ably assisting in the progressive interests and rapid advancement of his home locality. Our subject was born in Union County, Pa., February 28, 1838, and is the son of Michael and Elizabeth (Frain) Womer. His father was also a native of the Quaker State, and was likewise born in Union County, where he spent the days of boyhood, and, arriving at mature age, began life for himself, was married and settled down to the daily cares of a family. He had been trained into agricultural pursuits, and was a farmer, patiently cultivating the soil of the old homestead, when he finally determined to try his fortunes in the broader West, and came to Berrien County, Mich. Here he located on range 17, section 7, Bertrand Township, and lived on this homestead many seasons, but, arrived at four-score years, passed the evening of his days in Pennsylvania, among the scenes of early youth, dying June 16, 1893.

The paternal grandfather, Daniel Womer, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1777, his parents having emigrated from Germany to the United States. The mother and the maternal grandfather Frain were both native Pennsylvanians, but their immediate ancestors were of German birth. The mother died in February, 1891, at the age of seventy-two years. Nine children, seven sons and two daughters, blessed the home. The brothers and sisters are all living, all married, and all have families. The sons are, in the order of their birth: Peter; Michael L., a resident of Pennsylvania; John, also a citizen of Pennsylvania; Dr. Henry Womer, of Johnstown, Pa.; Lewis, of Pennsylvania; Wilson, of Bertrand Township; and Davis, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Womer was the eldest of the family, and was educated in his birthplace. He served an apprenticeship at the carpenter’s trade, and at twenty-one years of age began work in Mansfield, Ohio. For ten years he was a carpenter and builder, in both Pennsylvania and Ohio, and depended principally upon job work.

In 1862, in Pennsylvania, Peter Womer and Miss Mary Ellen Lease were united in marriage. The estimable bride was the daughter of Pennsylvania people, who were of English descent. She survived her marriage but three years, passing away in Buffalo, N. Y., in April, 1865. She was the mother of one child, who died before her. After her death our subject returned to his native State, and readily found employment. In the spring of 1866 he came West, settled in Elkhart, Ind., and followed his trade there for the summer. March 10, 1867, Mr. Womer for a second time wedded, then marrying Miss Sarah Rough, a daughter of David and Anna Rough. Mrs. Womer was but eight years of age when her father located in Berrien County, where he engaged in farming. Immediately following this marriage, our subject made his permanent home on section 7, Bertrand Township, and devoted himself to general farming with most profitable results. Financially prospered, he erected in 1885, at a cost of $6,000, one of the handsomest and most commodious residences in this part of the State. A finely finished and capacious barn was soon after completed at a cost of $2,000, making the attractive homestead a valuable country estate, second to none in Berrien County. Mr. Womer, however, in 1884 retired from the active superintendence of agricultural duties, the supervision of his large landed interests now occupying much of his time.

He is the owner of about twelve hundred and thirty-two acres of land, two hundred and twenty-three acres of which, located in Bertrand Township, are divided into four farms. A hundred and twenty-five acre tract is in Galien Township. Two hundred and twenty acres are in St. Joseph County, Ind. The various farms are rented, and mostly under a high state of cultivation. Our subject is a large stockholder in the First National Bank of Niles, and is numbered among the moneyed men of Berrien County. Mr. and Mrs. Womer are the parents of one son, William A. Womer, born June 13, 1869. The son has enjoyed the benefit of an excellent education, and is engaged upon the home farm. Politically, Peter Womer is a Democrat, and is a firm believer in the platform of true Democracy. Reserved as Supervisor in 1877, and in 1889, 1890 and 1891, elected and re-elected to the same office, has proven an important factor in local progress, ever discharging the trusts devolving upon him with able and faithful fidelity to the public welfare. During his many years’ residence in Berrien County, our subject has been prominently associated with the growth of social, religious and business enterprise, and, an active member of Zion Church, has aided liberally in the support and rapid advancement of its good work. Mr. Womer, well known throughout Berrien County and esteemed as a neighbor, friend and citizen, commands the confidence of the general public.