BOWERS, Wilson - 1914

BOWERS, HALL, VINCENT, GRAY, SCHRADER, WIELON, ROBINSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/10/2009 at 04:24:22

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

WILSON BOWERS.

Wilson Bowers, who has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, is now the owner of a well improved and productive farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Afton township. His birth occurred in Wisconsin in 1847, his parents being Russell and Jane (Hall) Bowers, who were born, reared and married near Rochester, New York. Shortly after their marriage they removed westward to Wisconsin, settling near Milton Junction, Rock county, where Mr. Bowers operated a farm until called to his final rest in 1853. His wife passed away in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, when seventyeight years of age. They had two children: Wilson, of this review; and Dora, who is the wife of John Howes, of the state of New York.

Wilson Bowers attended the schools of his native state in the acquirement of an educationand on attaining his majority began farming in Wisconsin, there carrying on general agricultural pursuits until twentyseven years of age. He was then married and removed to Austin, Minnesota, where he followed farming for two years, removing on the expiration of that period to Fairmont, Minnesota, where he cultivated land for three years. At the end of that time he came to Cherokee county, Iowa, and here followed farming for two years, then removed to Graham county, Kansas, where he proved up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and operated the place for six years. Disposing of the property he returned to Cherokee county and here cultivated rented land until 1899, when he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Afton township, which he has operated continuously and successfully since. The property is highly improved and all of the land is in a high state of cultivation, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which is bestowed upon them.

In 1875 Mr. Bowers was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Vincent, who was born, reared and educated in Wisconsin, her parents being O. D. and Almira Vincent, natives of New York. They were among the early settlers of Wisconsin, where Mr. Vincent operated a farm until the time of his demise, which occurred in 1891. His wife passed away in 1899. Their children are six in number, namely: Addie, who is the wife of C. H. Gray, of Luverne, Minnesota; Mrs. Hattie Bowers; O. T., who is a resident of McCoy, Oregon; A. P., living at Luverne, Minnesota; Elmer, who resides on the old homestead in Wisconsin; and Daisy, the wife of Harry Schrader, of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers have three children, as follows: Orie C., who was born in 1876 and owns and operates a well improved and highly cultivated farm of eighty acres on section 15, Afton township; Jennie, who gave her hand in marriage to Frank Wielon, of Afton township; and Maud E., the wife of Guy Robinson, who assists our subject in the operation of his farm.

In his political views Mr. Bowers is independent, supporting men and measures that he deems will best conserve the general welfare without regard to party ties. He is a worthy representative of that class of citizens who lead quiet, industrious, earnest and useful lives and constitute the best portion of any community.