Dr. John Sweetland has been introduced to you in previous newspaper articles.

He has been recognized as one of the first leaders in the establishment of the Edwardsburg area and one of the first editors of this newspaper. In addition he practiced medicine here.

Sweetland was born in Tompkins County, New York. in 1834. In 1861 he received his medical degree and moved to Edwardsburg. He enlisted in the 4th Regiment Michigan Cavalry in August 1862 as a physician and surgeon.

Upon his return to Edwardsburg after his discharge in February of 1868 he married Frances Bacon.

In 1875 he was sent to the Legislature as a Representative of Cass County. He bought the Edwardsburg Argus in the spring of 1879 with over six hundred subscribers. The Argus was under the direction of Sweetland for 20 years with comments and editorials which influenced much of the local thoughts of the community, strongly influenced the developments and progress and advanced the public welfare.

Sweetland kept his medical practice on the first floor of the Edwardsburg Argus office and wrote and printed the newspaper in the upper floor. The office still stands on the corner of US 12 and First Street.

Sweetland lived in the house now occupied by Pat Bellaire across the street until 1872 and then he moved down to the end of First Street on the hill overlooking Pleasant Lake which is still visible from U.S. Highway 12.

Sweetland was married, Feb. 19, 1868, to Frances E., daughter of William Bacon, one of the pioneers of Ontwa. They had four children Jennie, LeRoy B., Eva and John who at the age of 8 years old, suffered a fall and died.

Sweetland died in February 1899 and is buried in the Edwardsburg Cemetery.

In 2003, the Edwardsburg Museum decided to honor Sweetland for his contributions to the Edwardsburg area. They developed the Dr. John B. Sweetland Award. The first award was given to Sweetland posthumously for his contributions to the community and was accepted on Sweetland’s behalf by Dr. Tom Brown who resided in Sweetland’s house on First Street.

Each year the award is given to a community member who exemplifies the qualities possessed by the award’s namesake: kindness, generosity, a respect for individual views, integrity and desire to serve as well as intellectual influence. They must have a significant influence  through word and deed upon the Edwardsburg Area community both personally and professionally.

This year’s recipient of the award is Dorothy Skronski.

Dorothy has been a driving force in the development of the Edwardsburg Museum. She was at the very first meeting 18 years ago when the museum was only a dream. Over the years she has allowed her talents to be utilized in organizing, designing, and establishing a museum collection that preserves the history of the Edwardsburg area. She has invested and dedicated much of her time in its development.

Not only has Dorothy been involved with the museum, but earlier she volunteered as an aide at the schools, used her artistic talents with the High school musicals and plays, and served as a Girl Scout leader. She was a member of the Edwardsburg Service Club and is a member of the Monday Evening Club.

The award presentation and a reception for Skronski will be held at the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum at 3 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited to attend.

 

JoAnn Boepple works with the Edwardsburg Area History Museum.