SOWERS, Reuben H. (1858-1930)

SOWERS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/31/2021 at 12:07:19

Reuben Haines Sowers
(February 1858 – May 17, 1930)

R. H. Sowers, a resident of Galva, a town situated on the Northwestern railroad, in the northeastern portion of Ida County, is the proprietor of the leading hotel, the Commercial. Mr. Sowers was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in 1858, son of John and Maria (Haines) Sowers, natives of Pennsylvania, but whose ancestors on the father’s side can be traced to Germany, while those of the mother to England. These parents are still living upon a farm in Adams County, Pennsylvania. Our subject’s early education and training were received in Pennsylvania. His occupation was that of a farmer. In 1879 Mr. Sowers was married to Miss Mattie Lease, also a native of Adams County, Pennsylvania, daughter of John E. and Manda (Myers) Lease, natives of Pennsylvania, but whose ancestors can be traced back to England and Germany, respectively. Grandfather Lease was an old Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. Sowers the accomplished wife of our subject, lost her father in May, 1891; her mother is still living in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Sowers emigrated to Ida county, Iowa, in 1889, and, settling on a farm near Holstein, followed the occupation of farmers until October, 1892, when Mr. Sowers purchased the Commercial House at Galva, in order to engage in general hotel business.
Mr. and Mrs. Sowers have had three children, one of whom is dead; of the remaining two, Florence is the elder and Earl is the younger. In politics Mr. Sowers is a Democrat, always voting for the best interests of the party. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Holstein Lodge, No. 471, having taken the three necessary degrees. Mr. Sowers is a young man of great energy, in the prime of life and well calculated to succeed in the business he has lately chosen. Mrs. Sowers is a charming hostess, and combines, in the highest degree, those qualities indispensable to the discharge of the onerous duties of a landlady.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.562