Wilson Bowers

ROBINSON, YOUNG, GROFF, HILL, LEWIS, ZWICK, EDDY, KOLPIN

Posted By: Lisa Gassen for Joe Miller
Date: 5/4/2004 at 15:51:31

Wilson Bowers, one of the few remaining old-time settlers of Cherokee County, died Saturday morning, June 28, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Guy Robinson, in Afton Township at the advanced age of 93 years. Mrs. Lee Robinson and Mrs. Roy Matzdorff sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and is "In the Garden."

His death was a result of an illness, due to his old age.

Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at the Robinson Farm at 2:30 o'clock. Short services were held in the house with regular services immediately after on the lawn. Rev. Edwin Twigg of the Congregational Church was in charge.

Interment took place at the Aurelia cemetery.
Wilson Bowers was born in Rock County, Wis., November 21, 1847, and died at the Guy Robinson home in Afton Township, Cherokee County, Iowa, June 28, 1941, at the age of 93 years, seven months and seven days. He received his education and grew to manhood in Rock County.

He was united in marriage in 1875 to Miss Hattie Vincent. Two years later they moved to Austin, Minn., and there engaged in farming. After four years they came to Cherokee County, leaving later for Kansas, where they spent seven years.

In 1890, they returned to Cherokee County and farmed for a time in Diamond Township. For the last four years Mr. Bowers has made his home on the farm in Afton Township.

In the period of married life, three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowers, Orrie C., Jennie and Maud E.

During his long span of life, Wilson Bowers has shown himself to be the true pioneer type, industrious, courageous with the will to do and dare. He won for himself the respect and affection of the community, his neighbors and friends. He was a man of the great outdoors and enjoyed to full extent the blessings of nature.

He was preceded in death by his wife in June 1917, the son Orrie C., who died March 15, 1919, and daughter Jennie, who died in September, 1931.

To mourn his loss remain his daughter, Mrs. Guy Robinson, granddaughter, Loma Robinson, both of Afton Township, and numerous other relatives and friends.

Those from away attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Will Robinson of Primghar, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Young of Paullina, Mrs. Jake Groff and Donald, Ray Robinson, Mrs. Anna Hill of Cherokee, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lewis of Newell, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Zwick and Verne Zwick of Sutherland, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Eddy, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kolpin of Aurelia.