Where Are the Patriots Like John Beers?

Driving west on I-94 about five miles from my house, I’ve often seen the exit for John Beers Rd., and I ask myself, “Who is John Beers?”

I like to know about local history, so I looked him up.

The Southwest Michigan Director on the History of Stevensville recognized John Beers life as part of setting “a standard of value in heritage of the area and serves as a legacy for succeeding generations.”

John S. Beers came to Berrien County from New Jersey in 1869, an enterprising young man who hoped to become a successful fruit farmer. Four years later he was elected Supervisor of Royalton Township; and during the same year, he met and courted Eliza Jane Hess, the daughter of Dr. Hiram Hess, M.D., of Berrien Springs and Dr. Matilda Hess, one of the first women dentists in the area. 

John and Eliza were married in Benton Harbor in 1874 and made their home in Stevensville. But when the "yellows" destroyed the peach crop that year, John decided to start a new career and entered the Medical School at Northwestern University. 

Upon his graduation some years later, John returned to Stevensville to set up his practice. Later, he and Mrs. Beers moved to the home of the now-widowed Dr. Matilda Hess to help operate her 80-acre farm (along what is now called "John Beers Road"). Stories are still related about times when he would sit up all night with a young patient, giving medical advice and moral support until a crisis had passed. In 1895, Dr. Beers went to Germany for a year of additional medical studies. 

Along with his medical practice and his interest in farming, Dr. Beers also was active in politics, serving at times as Lincoln Township Supervisor, State Senator, and after 1908, City Alderman in St. Joseph. In other areas of interest, he was First Secretary of the Michigan State Grange, one of the founders of the Berrien County Medical Society, and one of the founding members of the St. Joseph Elks Lodge. 

Dr. Beers died in 1923 of a stroke brought on by overwork during the 1918 flu epidemic. Dr. Beers' daughter, Matilda May, also became a physician, as did his grandson, Dr. Fredrick H. Lindenfeld of Niles, and his great-granddaughter, Dr. Jo Ann Lindenfeld, a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School.

John Beers was a man of action and service. He helped make Stevensville what it is today.

If you are a local citizen who believes it’s time to rein in federal spending, impose term limits, and limit the power of jurisdiction of the federal government, please join me on Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 1 to 2:30 PM at Black Arsenal with special guest speakers, State Senator Eric Nesbitt and Convention of States Michigan State Director Sarah Santana for a discussion about an Article V resolution.