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MATTHEW STEWARD HOSMER, M.D. Prominent among the physicians of Ashland, who are devoting their lives to the alleviation of suffering, stands Dr. Matthew S. Hosmer, who for almost twenty years has been going on his daily mission of healing in that city. He was born Nov. 17, 1856, in New Boston, Mich., son of Andrew Jackson and Martha (Eldred) Hosmer, the former also a native of Michigan, and prominent in Wayne County.
The Hosmer family is of English stock originally, and its first American ancestor came to Massachuesetts in Colonial times. One of his descendants, Abner Hosmer, is known to have lost his life in the American REvolution. The grandfather of our subject, Artemus Hosmer, went westward as far as Michigan, and spent his life there as a contractor. He died in New Boston, at the age of sixty years, and his homestead is still in the possession of the family. Artemus Hosmer was twice married, and his second wife a Miss Dunn, was of WElsh lineage, though probably born in Canada.
Andrew J. Hosmer died Aug. 24, 1903, in New Boston. He was quite prominent in local affairs, and while never an active politician, he filled several offices in the public service. He and his wife had seven sons and four daughters, ten of whom are still living: Mary, Mrs. Russell Rice, who died in New Boston; John; Albert; Dr. Matthew S.; Andrew J.; Jennie, Mrs. Speer, of Belleville, Mich.; James E. of Park City, Utah; Charles S.; Addie, Mrs. Tinkham; Hattie, Mrs. Baxter; and Eli. Andrew J., James E. and Charles S. are all physicians, adn Andrew J. was located for some years in Ashland.
The grandfather on the maternal side, John Eldred, was a contractor in New Boston; he ws of Scottish-Irish descent, and lived to be sixty-two years old.
Matthew S. Hosmer was thoroughly prepared for his work in the Belleville high school and the Medical Department of the University of Michigan from which he graduated in June 1882. He practiced first at Maple Ridge, Mich, but after two years he decided to move to Ashland, where he has been located to the present time. Dr. Hosmer has studied about a year in Vienna, Dresden, London and Berlin, and he keeps himself fully abreast of the times in his profession. He has built up a fine practice, is the consulting physician of the railroad hospital, and for four or five years conducted the Hosmer hospital. Since 1889 he has been on the staff of ST. Joseph's hospital. during the past two years he has made a specialty of internal medicine.
In 1887 Dr. Hosmer was married to Anna MacDonald, who was born near Montreal, Canada, daughter of John and Mary Ann MacDonald. Four children have been born to the Dr. and his wife, Helen, Roscoe, Margaret and Steward.
Dr. Hosmer is a well known Mason, of Ancient Landmark Lodge, and Ashland Commandery, K.T., No. 22; he also belongs to the I.O.O.F., and A.O.U.W., the Maccabees, U.O.F., the M.W.A., and is examining physician for the most of these orders, as well as for several insurance companies. Politicaly he is a Republican, but his arduous professional duties leave him little time to devote to public life. Dr. Hosmer has never ceased to be a student in his profession; and has succeeded in it largely because of his absorbing interest in his work and his strict attention to it, without which even his acknowleded skill might have failed to bring him his present assured position.
