The Bower Family of Wyandot County, Ohio

HENRY S. BOWER was born November 30, 1805, in Chester County, Penn. He is the son of David and Susan (Kepner) Bower. His great-grandfather was a native of Germany, Receiving an ordinary education in the schools of New York, on March 29, 1828, he married Miss Dorothy Bower, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth fShoenmaker) Bower, also of German parentage. Mrs. Bower was born July 28, 1806. After his marriage Mr. Bower removed to Livingston County, N. Y., stopping in that locality four years, after which he emigrated to Ohio in 1832. This trip, a distance of 350 miles, was made in eleven days, traveling in a covered wagon, as was the usual custom of those days. Settling in Jackson Township, Wyandot County, Mr. Bower entered 300 acres of land, himself and a neighbor, Mr. Hovey, being the first settlers of the township. He was at one time the owner of 400 acres, 175 of which he cleared and broke as " first land." It is now divided among his children, with whom he at present makes his home. He is the father of seven child'en, five still living — Susan, wife of Erastus Bohannon (deceased); Jefferson D., Nelson J., Rosanna H., wife of Thomas B. Flower, and Henry. The deceased are Israel, Roxyanna and Elizabeth, wife of Samuel dinger. Mr. Bower has always been a faithful Democrat, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He has served as Justice of the Peace eighteen years; as Trustee, two years; as Treasurer, two years; refusing all the honor of these offices longer. He was, at one time a member of the Masonic, also of the I. O. O. F'. fraternity. He is still strong for one of his years.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

This old settler is so well and favorably known that it seems almost superfluous to enter into the details of his uneventful life. He was born near Cayuga Springs, Cayuga county, N. Y., January 19, 1818, and is the son of David Bower, a native of the Keystone state. The latter was raised on a farm and when a young man married Miss Susan Keptner, who bore him the following children: Harry, who died at the age of eighty-five years; Adam, who died aged twenty-seven years; Jacob, who died aged seventy-five years; Nicholas, who died aged seventy years; Margaret, who married Nelson Davis and died in early womanhood; the subject; David, now living in Mifflin township; Maria, who married George Merriman and died at the age of seventy-seven years. When

David Bower, the father, was vet a young man he removed from Pennsylvania to New York and lived there until 1834, when he came west to Ohio by team, and settled on the farm in Marseilles township where the subject of this memoir now resides. He bought eighty acres of land of John Yeager, upon which a small clearing had been made and a log cabin erected and a well dug. He paid five dollars and fifty cents per acre for the tract. Here he continued to live and labor until his death, in 1852, at the age of seventy-four years. His widow also passed away the same year. Both were people of eminent respectability, earnest in their du- ! ties, strong in the friendship and confidence of their neighbors and firm in their adherence to all that makes up a benevolent and I God-fearing life. Mr. Bower was a member of the Presbyterian church.

When Michael Bower was sixteen years of age he was brought to this farm upon which he worked until he was nineteen years i old. At that time he married Miss Ann E. Studebaker, a native of Adams county, Penn., where she was born near Bendersville September 1. 1820. She was the daughter of Abraham and Mary (Group) Studebaker, who came to this county about the year 1835. Boon after his marriage the subject moved onto a farm about, a mile from here and erected thereon a leg cabin, where he resided for a period of seven years. He then returned and took charge of the old home farm, where he has continued to live ever since, tic has been married twice. By his first wife. Ann E. Studebaker, he had the following children: Jarvis, who ik a merchant and lives in Marseilles: Orson, who enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was in many ini- 47* portant engagements, being at one time taken prisoner and confined in Andersonville prison for nine months; he died about a year after his return from the service at the close of the war; Martha, who married William Elder and is notv deceased; Mary A., deceased; Mina, the widow of Enoch Robey, who is now living with her father. Mr. Bower's first wife died August 29, 1847, and on March 14. the following year, he wedded her sister. Miss Martha J. Studebaker, who bore him four children: Ann

E., now dead; Leander, who lives with subject; Georgiana, dead: Melville, who lives in Marseilles township. Martha Jane (Studebaker) Bower was born in Adams county, Penn., April 2, 1822. and departed this life July 17, 1899. aged seventy-seven years, three months and fifteen days. For many years she had been a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a kind and affectionate wife and mother. Her beautiful life was reflected in her many good works, the poor and the needy ever finding in her a kind and sympathetic friend. The subject is the owner of two hundred and forty-three acres of land and carries on farming and stock raising. In politics he is a Republican, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for sixty years. He is a member of Lodge No.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MICHAEL BOWER, son of David and Susan (Kepner) Bower, was born in New York January 19, 1818. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German lineage, coming to Ohio in 1835, and settling where our subject now resides. Here they entered 376 acres of land, upon which they lived and died. They were the parents of eight children — five still living, Henry S., Jacob P., Michael, David and Maria. The deceased are Adam, John N. and Margaret. The father died in 1857, aged seventy-four years; the mother, in the same year, at the same age. Our subject, Michael Bower, was provided with a common school education, and remained upon the old homestead which he assisted in clearing, and eighty acres of which he has since fallen heir to. By subsequent purchases he has raised this number to 240 acres, all in good repair and valued at $60 per acre. In his lifetime Mr. Bower has cleared about one hundred and fifty acres of heavily timbered land. In 1875, he built his attractive residence, costing $2,500. October 14, 1838, he married Miss Ann E. Studebaker,by whom he became the father of five children — three living: Jarvis, Martha and Willamina. The deceased are D. Orsin and Mary A. The mother died August 9, 18 i7. Married again, deceased wife's sister, Martha J. Studebaker, daughter of Abram and Mary (Group) Studebaker, March 14, 1848. Four children resulted from this marriage — three living: Ann E., Neander S. and John M. Georgiana died November 4, 1857. Mrs. Bower was born April 2, 1832. Mr. Bower was formerly a Whig, but now is a firm Republican. His suns, James W. and D. Orsin, were in the late war; the latter was held a prisoner in Andersonville, nine months, and died at home from disease contracted in the service. Mr. Bower and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have been for the past forty-four years, he serving as Class Leader and Steward most of that time. He was Trustee of the township two years, and is well respected as a citizen, contributing liberally to benevolent causes.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

Many of the first settlers of Ohio came from the state of Xew York. The distance was not great to northern Ohio and could be made very often by boat from Buffalo to Cleveland or elsewhere, and then the journey into the interior was a much easier matter. The most of these settlers had previously come to Xew York from the Xew England states, had carried there for a while, and later had continued their journey westward to find a still cheaper home. This gave to Ohio an excellent class of people, many of whom, together with their parents, had been born and bred in this country, and took great interest in its institutions and its welfare. It thus came to pass that, in the course of time, the northern part of this state was settled mostly by native Americans, the most of whom were of English or of Scotch-Irish descent. Among the settlers who came from the Empire state and located in this vicinity was the subject of this memoir. He was born in Cayuga county, X. Y., on the 19th of March. 1821, and is the son of David and Susana (Kepner) Bower, the former of whom was a native of Mifflin county. Penn. To these parents were born a family of eight children, of whom six were sons and two daughters. David and his brother. Michael, are the only ones now living. In 1829 the father of subject moved to Livingston county, X. Y.. where he remained until 1835, when he came by team with his family to Wyandot county and located in Marseilles township, then in Marion county. There the father bought a tract of land, containing two hundred and forty acres, upon which was the usual log cabin of the pioneer and a small clearing. He went to work and was soon in comfortable circumstances. After a long and useful life he died in 1860 at the age of seventy-four year-. His wife also died the same year and at the same age. Both were exemplary people, excellent neighbors and good citizens. When the subject of this notice was fourteen years of age he was brought to Wyandot county and put to work on his father's farm. There was the timber to clear off, the stumps to uproot, the brush to burn, and the crops to sow and reap. Work was waiting on every corner of the place and the lad was required to do as much of it as he could without many questions asked. In the winters he attended the subscription schools in this neighborhood, and from that primitive source came the greater portion of his education. Later in life by reading he very greatly supplemented the education received in his youth. He remained on his father's farm until he had attained the age of twenty-four years, when he married Miss Susana Stayner and by her had twelve children, of whom ten are yet living, as follows: William, deceased; Sobiah; Elizabeth, deceased; Mary, the wife of John Fink; Francis A.; Maria, the wife of J. W. Young; Thomas F.; Stephen A.; David M.; Jacob M. and George. Immediatelv succeeding his marriage the subject rented a farm for one year in this county, but then remit ed to Marion county and again rented, continuing to occupy that place for the space of six years. During this time he managed by hard work and good management to save a considerable sum of money. He then returned to this county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Mifflin township, where Mrs. Chineworth now resides, of which tract about seventy acres were prairie. On this farm he erected a cabin of two rooms and in this rude domicile placed his family. The present farm was formerly owned by a singular character denominated “Lumpy,” who conducted a country hotel at an early day. Mr. Bower bought two hundred and forty acres and located on the same in 1860. Here lie has continued to reside down to the present time, except for three months. He 1 las gradually added to his holdings until lie now owns in addition another farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres and another one of eighty acres, in all four hundred and fifty-seven acres. Notwithstanding his advanced age. he is still well-preserved and still engaged in cultivating the

, soil and in rearing stock, principally sheep.

His life has been a busy one, filled with hard work, but it has not been without its bright scenes. Amid his labors lie has found time to read his newspaper and keep himself informed on the happenings in the county, 1 state and nation. He is a Democrat and; takes a keen interest in the success ot his part. He is a member of the Christian ! Union church and he merits and receives the respect of all who know him.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JEFFERSON D. BOWER was born in the State of New York, September 12, 1834. He is a son of Henry S. and Dorothy (Bower) Bower, with whom he came to Ohio when very young. On the old homestead he was reared and educated, leaving off his studies at the age of nineteen. He remained at home, however, worked by the month and " farmer on shares " till his marriage, which important event took place March 26, 1863, Miss Sarah J. Flower, daughter of John and Susannah (Fitch) Flower, being the fortunate bride, her parents being natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was born in Bedford County, February 16, 1804, and her mother in Beaver County, July 11, 1808. They came and settled in Jackson Township, Wyandot County, about 1825, being among the first settlers of this locality. They are the parents of twelve children, of whom six are still living: Henry, Thomas, Lydia A., Sarah J., Martha and Samuel. Mr. Flower died March 30, 1873, Mrs. Flower still living in the seventy-sixth year of her age, and being remarkably strong for one so old. Mr. Bower, the subject of this sketch, by inheritance and purchase, has secured eighty-six acres of land, which he keeps in a good state of repair and cultivation, and values at $75 per acre. In 1875, he constructed a handsome residence at a cost of $1,250. He also erected one of the finest barns in the township in 1883, at a cost of $600. He deals in the best grades of live stock, and votes the Democratic ticket, having cast his first vote for Buchanan. He is an enthusiastic Granger and one of the most respected and worthy citizens of his township.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAEVIS W. BOWER.

One of the most respected and esteemed of Marseilles township's native sons is Jarvis W. Bower, who was born upon his father's farm March 9, 1840, his parents being Michael and Ann E. (Studebaker) Bower. The father was born in New York state on the 19th of January, 1818, and was one of the pioneers, in Ohio, coming to Marseilles township in 1835 and settling with his parents upon three hundred and seventy-six acres of land. He grew to manhood in this section and became well known and prosperous. His first wife passed away on the 9th of August, 1847, and afterward Michael Bower married her sister. Miss Martha J. Studebaker. By his first marriage he was the father of Jarvis W., Orison, Mary A., Martha and Wilhelmina. To his second tion were born four children, Ann E., Leander S., Georgiana and John M.

In the acquirement of an education Jarvis W. Bower attended district school in Marseilles township, completing his studies when he was twenty-one years of age. During his childhood, however, he had spent a great deal of his time assisting with the work of the homestead and when he laid aside his books was a practical and skilful farmer. He turned his attention naturally to the occupation to which he had been reared but after following farming for a short time became a cattle buyer and after two years a traveling salesman. He worked in this latter capacity for a period of fourteen years and in this way gained a great deal of practical experience in modern methods of merchandising, which he utilized when he came to the village of Marseilles and opened a general store. This he conducted successfully for five years, but at the end of that time his building and stock were entirely destroyed by fire, Mr. Bower at that time suffering a large financial loss. He erected afterward a smaller store but this also he eventually disposed of and he has since been engaged in various occupations, meeting with the success which always follows earnest and persistent labor.

On the loth of September, 1883, at Bellefontaine, Ohio, Mr. Bower was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Parrish, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parrish, of Logan county, Ohio, the former a successful farmer and stock buyer. Mr. and Mrs. Bower became the parents of four children. Orison M. lives at home. Marie T. became the wife of Christopher Ankney, proprietor of a lumber mill at Shelby, in Richland county, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Sarah E. The other children in this family are Sarah Belle and Mary F. Mr. Bower is a member of the Methodist church and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party, having served as councilman of the village of Marseilles for one year. He is honored as a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after two years and ten months' able service received his honorable discharge at Camp Chase. A resident of Marseilles township since his birth, he is widely known within its borders and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in his citizenship and his business relations have gained him a high place in the regard and good-will of his fellow townsmen.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.