Elmira Bell

     7 January, the U.S. Federal Census listed Elmira living in the home of her daughter at 1321 Hickry Street, Niles, Berrien County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Charles Edwards [58 Michigan], Etta [56 Indiana] & mother-in-law: Elmira Bowerman [77 Ohio]. The couple woned their own home. He was a section manfor the railroad.¹ Elmira was born on Wednesday, 17 March 1841 in Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Pharaah & Catherine Bell.^2,3 Elmira married Michael Bowerman, son of Peter Bowerman and Nancy Anna Shaffstall, on 22 March 1858 in Crawford County, Ohio.⁴ Michael & Elmira had children: Lejester [1858-12/03/1877], Nancy Ella [1860] [m. Mr Bragg & 2nd. 3/13/1906 William Smith], Etta Amanda [3/18/1863-11/10/1953][m. 2/05/1880 Charles Edwards & 2nd, 11/28/1928 William Graham], Perry Melvin [7/06/1865-11/08/1942][m. 5/04/1909 Julia Foster & 2nd. 2/18/1920 Amanda May Graham], May [12/25/1870-12/20/1963][m. 3/02/1888 Claire Albert Murphy], Mertis [5/24/1874-4/16/1875] & Zeddie Floyd [2/03/1878-3/26/1954][m. 8/06/1904 Florence g. Schutte]. 28 June 1860, Elmira and her husband Michael were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Salem Township, Stueben County, Indiana. Enumerated in this household were Michael Bowerman [26 Pennsylvania], his wife: Almira [18 Ohio], and son, Lejester [1 Ohio].⁵ 22 July 1870, Elmira and her husband, Michael, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Salem Township. Enumerated in this household were Michael Bowerman [39 Ohio stone mason], his wife: Bell [26 Ohio], children: Lejester [11 Ohio], Nancy [10 Indiana], Amanada [7 Indiana], & Perry [4 Indiana].⁶ 5 June 1880, Elmira and her husband, Michael, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Berrien Township, Berrien County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Michael Bowerman [41 Ohio], his wife: Elmira [35 Ohio], children: P. Melvin [14 Indiana], May [11 Indiana], & F. Zeddie [2 Michigan].⁷ 25 June 1900, Elmira and her husband, Michael, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Niles, Berrien County, Michigan, at 1001 Regent Street. Enumerated in this household were Michael Bowerman [Nov 1836 - 63 Ohio], his wife: Elmyra [Mar 1842 - 57 Ohio], & son, Floyd [Feb 1878 - 22 Michigan]. They had been married 42 years with 7 children, 5 living.⁸ Elmira's husband, Michael, died on 2 August 1909 in Niles leaving her a widow.² 22 April 1910, Elmira was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Niles, Berrien County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Almira Bowerman [78 Ohio]. She had 7 children, 5 living.⁹ Elmira departed this life on Wednesday, 31 March 1926 in Niles at age 85 years and 14 days.² She was buried there in Silver Brook Cemetery on Friday, 3 April 1936.²