This farm by the river in Mears, Michigan, is representative of many mid-west farms that used running water as a power source, transportation route, and means to water crops.  The village of Mears, Michigan, was named for Charles Mears, a Michigan lumber businessman and developer of western Michigan.
Mears, Michigan was named after Charles Mears, who, with his siblings were left orphans at a young age.  They were  raised in Massachusetts, and like many young men of New England, Mears looked toward the West for new adventures. Charles Mears played a significant role in developing many towns along Michigan’s west coast. His primary motive was to transport lumber from his sawmill operations to Chicago. Mears was known for opening numerous harbors in western Michigan towns to facilitate lumber transport.

He built and sailed his own boats and operated his sawmills, utilizing the extensive timberlands he owned in Michigan. This pen & ink artwork captures the essence of a typical mid-western farm from that era, illustrating the important role of rivers in the agricultural and economic development of the region.
The barn on the hill provides a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, enhancing the serene beauty of the scene.
Mears Farm – catalog #27