Bowers, David William

BOWERS, DOWLING, LASH

Posted By: Roxie Bowers Wellman (email)
Date: 1/15/2010 at 13:50:06

Biographical data of David Bowers
Location of documents: Microfilm of newspaper at the Sioux City Public Library, Sioux City, Iowa and the Monona County History, Onawa Public Library, Onawa, Iowa.

. . . David William Bowers was the youngest child of Jacob Bowers. He was born March 1, 1848 in Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. ( I have a record from Monona Co., Iowa that says he was born in Haggerstown, Washington Co., Maryland, which is just south of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania.) When he was six his family moved to Lisbon, Indiana where his father died in 1856. David was eight at the time. His father is buried in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. In 1871 when David was 23 years old, David and his mother moved to Monona Co., Iowa where he bought some land. In 1874 he married Almina Lash, who was a Welshman and a Presbyterian. David Bowers is also featured in the "History of Monona County, Iowa", Volume 2, Chicago, National Publishing Co., 1890. It says: "David W. Bowers, one of the old time residents engaged in farming on section 32, Lake Township, is a native of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, born March 1, 1848. He is the son of Jacob and Anna M. (Aglouf) Bowers, natives of France, who moved to Indiana about 1854. David W. Bowers came to Monona Co., in March, 1871 and settled in Badger Lake Circle, Lake Township, where he bought a farm. After two years spent in other work, he commenced the improvement and cultivation of his own land and carried it on until 1875 when he left it and went to Barrien County, Michigan. He remained in the latter place about a year and at Lisbon, Noble Co., Indiana for about the same amount of time, and then returned to this county. Four years later he sold out and moved to Valparaiso, Saunders Co., Nebraska where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for six years. His son, Charles was born there. At the expiration of that time he came back to Monona Co. and purchased a farm on section 35, Lake Township. This was in June, 1887. On this piece of land he made his home until December, 1888, when he purchased a farm on section 32, where he has since lived. Mr. Bowers was reared to manhood in Noble Co., Indiana where his parents had settled when he was about six years of age and in the district schools of that locality acquired such education as the time and place afforded. His father died when David was eight years old, he was thrown upon his own resources at a very young age. He remained in the last mentioned locality until he attained the age of 23 years when he came to this state as above noted. Mr. Bowers was married at Magnolia, Harrison Co., Iowa, October 12, 1874 to Miss Almina Rachel Lash, daughter of David and Miranda (Dowling) Lash. She was born July 10, 1852. By this union there have been born a family of six children as follows: Rozila M., Freddie F., Bertha A., Charles H., Adrian L., and Carl D." The following information was derived from David's obituary: "In 1919, he and Mrs. Bowers moved to LeMars, where Mrs. Bowers died March 15, 1922. Mr. Bowers owned land and farmed all through his life and through hard work and thrift accumulated considerable property. Mr. Bowers was a rugged, healthy character and enjoyed unusually good health and was very active doing all his business. He drove his car until he was nearly 94 years old and was a familiar figure on the streets doing lots of walking. He was interested in all affairs of life, and was steady and dependable and honorable in all his dealings. He had definite ideas of how to live, which he strictly adhered to. He was a devote Catholic all his life, being a member of the St. James Church in LeMars. David William Bowers passed away at Whiting on Sunday evening, December 26, 1942 at the home of his son, Charles, where he had come to spend Christmas. He had enjoyed his usual good health until Friday evening, when he became ill and grew worse until he passed away. He is survived by five children, 21 grandchildren, and 35 great grandchildren. Mr. Bowers would have been 95 on March 1, and all through his long life made and held many friends."