Bowers, Wilder Page(1858-1940)

BOWERS, BILLINGS, LEVSEN, FRENCH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/22/2008 at 01:15:45

Jackson Sentinel
July 29, 1940

W. B. Bowers Dies Suddenly
Funeral Services Are Held Monday

Maquoketa residents were shocked to hear of the death of W. P. Bowers, 81, Saturday evening. Mr. Bowers passed away at his home at 707 West Summitt street, after a brief illness. Death was due to heart disease induced by an attack of asthma. He had been in vigorous health until a few weeks before his death when he suffered a leg injury in a fall at home. The accident occurred soon after he and Mrs. Bowers returned from San Antonio, Texas, where they had spent the winter.

Wilder Page Bowers was born on December 27, 1858, in Maquoketa. Completing his high school course in 1875, he entered the retail furniture business in Moline, Ill. In 1884 he was married to Emily Billings at Alpha, Ill., and they moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, where Mr. Bowers again entered the furniture business.

In 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Bowers moved to Chicago, Ill., where he soon became a prominent real estate dealer on the North side. Prior to taking up their residence in Maquoketa they made a round-the-world cruise. In Maquoketa Mr. Bowers bought and operated various farm and business properties and engaged in other business enterprises.

Always an enthusiastic traveler, he was often away from home. He and Mrs. Bowers spent their winters in the South, and one winter they traveled in South America.

Surviving him are his widow, a daughter, Mrs. Emil Levsen, of Springville; a granddaughter, Betty Jean Levsen, of Springville; and a half-brother, Harry French, of Maquoketa, besides a host of friends.

Funeral services were held at the family home on Monday afternoon, at 2:30 o’clock, with Rev. F. C. Snyder, pastor of the Congregational church officiating.