George W. Sowers 1826 - 1904

SOWERS, HUGHES, YOUNG

Posted By: Linda H Meyers (email)
Date: 6/2/2008 at 14:15:13

George W. Sowers, one of the earliest and foremost of the pioneers of this county, died at 8:10 this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hughes, west of Kelley. His death will be most profoundly regretted; but it is a surprise to no one. He had been very seriously ill through much of the fall. For a time he was better, and during this period of convalescence he went down from his home at Ames to his daughter's home at Kelley, and was there taken down again. Since then those about him have seen no real encouragement, and indeed his strength has held out longer than there was apparent reason to hope.
Mr. Sowers was born in Putnam county, Indiana, October 24, 1826, and he died in Story county, Iowa, December 7, 1904. His age therefore was 78 years, 1 month, and 13 days. He grew up in Indiana and married there, coming west with his little family in 1854 and arriving here on October 14 of that year. For the remaining years of his life he was a citizen of Story county, and in all this time he was known and honored throughout a great portion of the county. He made his permanent settlement at Pleasant Grove in Milford township and opened up a farm there which he occupied until declining years caused him to move into Ames, where he resided for the past few years. As a man he had notable strength of character and he was prominent and forceful in all the affairs of the community with which in his active years he was identified. He was the sort of man to assist greatly in the upbuilding of a new country, and the obligations under which he placed innumerable friends and neighbors it would be impossible to record. He has passed to a well earned reward.
Mr. Sowers was twice married, his first wife, who accompanied him to Iowa, having died in comparative youth and his second about three years ago. He is survived by five sons, two daughters and numerous grandchildren. His sons are James W. and Thomas J of Milford township, Chas. W of Grant township, and Elmer E. and Adelbert of Ames. His daughters are Mrs. Sarah Hughes of Kelley and Mrs. Minnie Young of Primghar. The funeral will be conducted at one o'clock from the Methodist church in Ames.

--from a local newspaper