Fayette County PA Archives Biographies.....Bowers, John Wilson March 26, 1860 - ????
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marta Burns marta43@juno.com August 29, 2024, 1:40 pm

Source: Gresham and Wiley, 1889: Biographical & Portrait Cyclopedia, Fayette Co, PA, pg 250
Author: John H. Gresham & Samuel T. Wiley

    John Wilson Bowers was born in Springhill township, 
Fayette county, Penna, March 26, 1860, of pure German 
origin, and is the youngest son of Joseph Bowers and Julia 
Ann Brooks Bowers.  Joseph Bowers, the grandfather of John 
W, was an early settler in the southern part of the county.  
He was a man of genius, and in the crude state of Mechanical 
arts of that day and in that respect gained considerable 
reputation.  He was an upright liberal Christian gentleman.  
He owned a farm of one hundred acres; the land, due to its 
location, was rather unproductive, but by his energy and 
excellent management lived reasonably well, and raised a 
family of eleven children, who reached man and womanhood and 
occupied with honor and respect various positions in life.
    Joseph Bowers, with his farming and other business, 
built a small distillery and made whiskey and apple brandy.  
In 1828 when the Women's Christian Temperance Society was 
founded, many of its members, unreasonably as it may appear, 
vehemently denounced the manufacture, sale and use of 
whiskey in every form.  They attacked Joseph Bowers and told 
him if he did not cease making and selling whiskey his sons 
would be drunkards.  His sons were all temperate and grew to 
be respectable men.
    He died in 1846.  Joseph Bowers Jr was born July 25, 
1825, on the old homestead farm in Springhill township, 
Fayette county, Penna, and received his education in the 
schools of the township, becoming well learned in 
mathematics.  In 1845 he was married to Julia Ann Brooks, a 
daughter of James Brooks (deceased).
    After marriage he began housekeeping on his father's 
farm.  One year later his father died, and by an order of 
the orphan's court, the farm was appraised at fifteen 
dollars an acre.  Joseph Bowers bought and paid the other 
ten heirs their part in the estate in money.  With a little 
over $100 he started in life, and for twenty three years he 
remained on the home farm and by the many improvements he 
made, added much to the value of the farm.  In 1868 he sold 
the farm and purchased the Alex Ross farm, two miles north 
of Morris Cross Roads.  This farm at that time was in a bad 
condition, the buildings and fences almost gone; but Mr 
Bowers immediately after his purchase began to replace them 
with more substantial structures and improvements.  The old 
buildings gave way to more modern and fashionable ones, and 
his barn and house are models of neatness and convenience.  
To their union were born three children: James P Bowers, 
George D Bowers and John W Bowers.
    John W Bowers was married to Miss Anna E Wilson, 
daughter of Rev William O Wilson, DD, March 13, 1888.  In 
April of the same year he assumed control and management of 
the homestead farm where he now resides.  He received his 
education in the common schools of the county and at 
Southwest Pennsylvania State Normal School.  He never smoked 
a cigar nor drank a glass of whiskey in his life.
    He is a consistent member of the Lutheran church, and 
has been from his early youth.  He is now superintendent of 
the Lutheran Sabbath School.  His start in life would 
indicate a very promising future, and few men so young as he 
are as well situated in life.  He is active and a fit 
representative of the young democracy of his township.  He 
has filled the office of township auditor for two terms, and 
served as member of the county central committee.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 2000.

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