NATHANIEL BOWERS Nathaniel
Bowers, the venerable subject of this sketch, is nicely located upon
section 34, Clear Creek Township, Johnson County, Iowa, where he lives
surrounded by friends who esteem his for his many good qualities. He
was born in Ohio, June 29, 1824, the son of John Bowers, a native of
Maryland, who was a farmer of German descent. He settled in Ohio
when a boy and died at the age of about seventy years. The mother
of our subject, Margaret (Swinhart) Bowers, a native of Pennsylvania,
of German descent, died at about the age of seventy years. She
was the mother of ten children, our subject being the fourth. Nathaniel
Bowers, our subject, grew up on the farm, working in the busy season,
and attending school at every opportunity, remaining there until he was
twenty-four years old. He was married to Esther Wood, a native of
Ohio, who bore him two children: Benjamin W., of Coralville, Iowa; and
Joseph W., of Nebraska; and then the mother died. Our subject
married a second time, the maiden name of this wife being Rebecca
Dutton, a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, who was born September 10,
1834. Her father, Jeremiah Dutton, was a native of Ohio and her
mother Sarah (Ripper) Dutton, a native of the same State.
Mr.
and Mrs. Bowers were the parents of ten children, namely: Sarah
M., wife of Peter Jipsen, of Cass County, Iowa; Millie A., wife of Fred
Charbon, of Johnson County; Nancy Jane, deceased; Emma L., wife of
Charles K. Colony, of Clear Creek; Charles D., at home; John H., at
home; and Frank W., deceased. Our subject dame to Johnson County
in 1864, and located upon the farm where he now resides and which he
had bought in 1855. There was a small log cabin upon it and about
thirty acres were broken; now a fine farm residence stands on the
place, which has increased to two hundred and forty acres, all well
improved, upon which he carries on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Bowers votes the Democratic ticket in Presidential elections,
but in local elections support the best man. He has been a School
Director, and was Township Trustee for seven years and has held the
office of Road Supervisor. Our subject and wife are consistent
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Tiffin.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Johnson, Poweshiek and Iowa Counties, Chicago Chapman Bros 1893
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