Person Page - 29

     Mary Caroline Bowers was born on 6 Jul 1889 near Red Head School, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.¹ She was the daughter of Samuel Peter Bowers and Malvina Ernestine Houser.¹ Mary Caroline Bowers married Charles Henry Adams on 16 Apr 1921 at Salem, Stephenson County, Illinois.¹ Mary Caroline Bowers died on 30 Sep 1976 at Sumner, Lawrence County, Illinois, at age 87.² She was buried at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Richland County, Illinois.²
     As a young woman, Mary Bowers taught in the rural schools of Richland County, Illinois. In her later years she lived with her children and her last home was with her son Samuel in Sumner, Illinois.

An interesting coincidence here is that her older son was born on his mother's birthday and her younger son died on her birthday.¹
     Her obituary states:
     "Mrs. Mary C. Adams, 87, of Sumner, died Thursday at 12:05 p.m. at Red Hills Nursing Home. She was born July 6, 1889 in Richland County to Samuel and Melvina Houser Bowers.
"She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles A. [sic] Adams, and a son, William.
"She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church.
"Surviving are a son, Samuel E. Adams, Sumner; a daughter, Mrs. Lorine Geise, Rt. 2, Claremont; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisterMary Caroline Bowers, Mrs. Lila Henry, Claremont, and Mrs. Esther Ribley, Olney.
"Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Sivert Funeral Home, Sumner, where visitation will be after 6 p.m. Saturday. The Rev. Henry W. Wortman will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Olve Cemetery southeast of Claremont."³

     Mary Gertrude Bowers was buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.² She was born c 16 Feb 1893. "She would have been six months old on Aug. 16 or 17 I forget which."³ She was the daughter of Daniel W. Bowers M. D. and Elise Rebecca Canby.¹ Mary Gertrude Bowers died in Aug 1893.^1,4

     Max Ivan Bowers was born on 10 Apr 1906 at Richland County, Illinois.¹ He was the son of Daniel W. Bowers M. D. and Elise Rebecca Canby.² Max Ivan Bowers married Dorothy Ellen Rothrock, daughter of Clinton Lee Rothrock and Ola Koertge, on 8 Sep 1931 at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.³ Max Ivan Bowers was baptized in Apr 1943 at Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren, Richland County, Illinois.⁴ He died on 31 Jul 1961 at Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney, Richland County, Illinois, at age 55.¹ He was buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.^5,6
     In 1912-1913, Max was enrolled in District 69, Red Head, year 2, age 7, and atttended 22 days.⁷
     As a young man, Max taught in the rural schools of Richland County. Later he was a U. S. Customs Officer in Detroit, Michigan. After some time in Michigan, Max and Dorothy returned to Illinois, and Max engaged in farming. Dorothy, a Registered Nurse, was employed at Richland County Memorial Hospital. Max gave up farming to accept a position in the West Salem Bank. At the time of his death, he was also serving as mayor of West Salem, Illinois. Dorothy has retired and lives (in 1978) in West Salem.⁸

     Nancy Bowers was born c 1848. She was the daughter of John Bowers and Mary Fisher.
     She married Emanuel Dearmin and was living in Pine Township of Indiana County about 1913 and in Johnstown in 1925.

     Patricia Elaine Bowers was born on 16 Dec 1933 at Detroit, Michigan.¹ She was the daughter of Max Ivan Bowers and Dorothy Ellen Rothrock.¹ Patricia Elaine Bowers married Thomas Verdayne Seals on 14 Jan 1950 at West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois.¹ Patricia Elaine Bowers died on 9 Mar 1954 at Mt Carmel Hospital, Mt. Carmel, Wabash County, Illinois, at age 20.^1,2

     Peter Bowers was born on 29 Sep 1821 at Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He was presumably born at his father's home in Wheatfield Township.² He was the son of John Bowers and Johanna "Hannah" Empfield.¹ Peter Bowers was buried at Walnut Grove Church, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.³ He was baptized on 1 Aug 1822 at Brush Valley Lutheran Church, Brush Valley Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The baptismal record says he was born 29 Sep 1821, the daughter of "Johann Bauer and Johanna". "Although the congregation at Brush Valley existed before the coming of Pastor Gabriel Adam Reichart in 1822, there is no local record of baptisms existing for the period before his arrival here." On 1 Aug 1822, several families brought for baptism their children who were no longer infants. John and Hannah Bowers, recorded under the German forms of their names, had three children baptised that day -- Salome, Barbara and Peter.⁴ He married Mary Brown, daughter of Samuel Ulrich Brown and Frances "Fanny" Hoover, on 4 Dec 1845 at Bedford County, Pennsylvania.⁵ Peter Bowers died on 18 Feb 1922 at Richland County, Illinois, at age 100.⁶ He was buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.⁷
     Peter Bowers spent his youth in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, where his father was a farmer. He never had much formal schooling, attending only when time and an instructor were available. "When I was a boy they only had school about three months in the winter time. I went two or three days a week, never a whole week regular. They had subscription schools then or that is the parents pay the teacher so much for each child of theirs that went to school. I didn't go until I was twelve. When I was eighteen I went regular. I had a better education than any of my family."⁸
     Peter probably learned to speak German and certainly could read and write English, and his schooling plus his experience provided him with an education adequate for his time. He became a Minister of the Gospel⁹ and Justice of the Peace¹⁰. A few preserved letters that he wrote when about seventy years old let us know that he had mastered letter writing.
     In his boyhood, Peter must have had his share of work and play, and not many things seemed different enough to stand out and be remembered. However, there are a few anecdotes which have been handed down to his grandchildren. One is about fire. With no matches yet or any easy way to start fires, it was important to keep a fire alive in the fireplace at all times. But even with special care, the fire occasionally went out. It was then, Peter said, he'd hear "Pete, go to Aunt Polly's and get some fire." Peter then selected two long pieces of bark and ran back home. By running, he had fanned the coals and the bark was ablaze by the time he reached home. This was laid in the kindling ready in the home fire place, and soon a good fire was again burning there.

Peter told that he and others were afraid of the first matches, because the matches might set one's clothing afire. With the early matches, fear of them was probably justified. The first matches anything like the ones we know today appeared in 1827 and when lighted burst into flames with a series of explosions which showered the user with sparks. The box of the Lucifer, one of the early matches, carried a warning to avoid inhaling the gases of combustion, and that "persons whose lungs are delicate should by no means use Lucifers."

Another happening that Peter told of was "the night the stars fell." That night the sky seemed full of falling stars. People thought it might be the end of the world, or at least there would surely be no stars in the sky the next night. The World Book Encyclopedia states that the most brilliant meteoric shower on record took place on November 13, 1833. This may well be the time Peter remembered.

Another story from his boyhood is that he and a cousin (also named Peter Bowers) found a hornet nest in the woods and decided to throw rocks at it. They went to a creek to get rocks and came back and got behind large trees. Each wanted to throw first. Our ancestor got the first throw and hit the limb with the nest on it and hid behind the tree. His cousin stepped out to throw, and a hornet stung him on the end of the nose. He blew at it and went home crying. When Peter Bowers was 100 years old, a man named George Bowers wrote from Pennsylvania asking if Peter Bowers had a cousin named Peter. It was the playmate of his youth!^11,12
     At this time the Pennsylvania mountains, no doubt, had more wild animals than now, and Peter could imitate their calls. One night as he walked on a mountain road, he heard the call of a "panther" and imitated it. Its answering call told him that the animal was coming closer. Not really wanting to meet the big cat, Peter kept quiet until he could tell that it had crossed the path and was moving away. Not until then did Peter move on toward home and safety.

Peter was a part of a large family. When his mother died, about 1832, he was surely asked to take some responsibility for his younger brothers and sisters. While it was not long before his father married Mary Fisher, this was apparently not to Peter's liking. His stepmother was about the age of Peter's oldest sister and only a few years older than Peter himself. Peter did not approve of the way his stepmother treated the younger children. Perhaps other new activities in the family did not seem appropriate to the young Peter. Benton Bunn tells that Peter's father and stepmother enjoyed dancing and that Peter did not approve.¹³ It is hard to understand how she could find much time for frivolity, considering the size of her family. There were ten children of John's first marriage and ten more of the second marriage. Another story that indicates a difference in attitude between Peter and his father is told about John Bowers. One time while attending a sale at which, as was the custom, a jug was passed freely among the men (cider or whiskey or something), John Bowers may have taken a little too much from that jug. There was a fellow at the sale he didn't like much. He threw this fellow down, took a saddle from the fence, and rode him around the lot. He said "I owed the Devil a horse and now I've got him one."¹¹

Peter first appears in official records when listed as a male of age 5-9 years included in his father's family in the 1830 census of Green Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. In 1840, Peter Bowers was still included in the census listing of his father's family, but it was not long before he left. At the age of 21¹³, as soon as he considered it proper and perhaps none too soon to suit himself, he left his home and went southeast through the mountains to Morrison's Cove, where his father had been born and where he may have had (still unidentified) family connections. Some of the ministers in his Lutheran Church at home had also come from Bedford County. He found employment with Samuel Brown, a farmer and tanner, and soon married the boss' daughter. Peter Bowers and Mary Brown were married 4 Dec. 1845 in Bedford County.

     From the time of their marriage on, Peter and Mary seem to have had closer ties to the Brown family than to the Bowers family. When the Browns decided to leave Pennsylvania and go to Iowa in 1847, Peter and Mary went with them. According to stories handed down, the Browns sold developed land in Pennsylvania and took $20,000 in gold with them to Iowa to purchase land. There it would buy more than in Pennsylvania and provide greater opportunities for the family. They went by boat down the Ohio River to the Mississippi, then up the Mississippi to Iowa, settling near Batavia, in Jefferson County, Iowa.

Peter Bowers was not one of those who purchased Iowa land upon arrival. It is thought that he and Mary lived in a tenant house on her father's place, in sight of the "big house" of Samuel and Fanny Brown. The young family is listed in the 1850 census of Des Moines Township, Jefferson County, Iowa as follows (2 Nov. 1850):
Peter Bowers age 29 farmer b. Pa.
Mary " age 22, b. Pa.
Geo W. age 1, b. Ia.

     Gold was discovered in California in 1848. In the next few years thousands of Iowa citizens went to California, lured by the hope of sudden riches. John G. W. Smith, brother-in-law of Mary Bowers, was one of these. "In the spring of 1850 he set out with an ox team for the gold fields of California and after two years of unusual success in digging gold returned in 1852 ..." and resumed farming.¹⁴ His success may have been a major factor in the decision of the other members of our family to join later gold rushes. Mary Bowers' brother Daniel Brown married Susan Peebler on 11 Nov. 1857.¹⁵ "That afternoon the young bridegroom, with a few other men, left by horseback for California to take part in the Gold Rush. The young bride climbed to the attic in the farm home and waved a dish towel from the window as long as she could see her new husband riding away over the prairie.
"After spending some time in California, he started back to Iowa with a group of 24 men. In the mountains of Colorado they experienced a violent rain and wind storm. They pitched their big tent early as the black clouds rolled in. They placed their gear around the edge of the tent and tucked the canvas under it. As they huddled together in the center of the tent to keep dry, lightning struck the pole and killed several men, the young groom included. Months later one of the survivors located Susan and informed her of her husband's death."¹⁶ It may be that the departure and return described above are for two different trips, since the family of Daniel W. and Susan Brown, with a son Ellis, age 1, is listed in the 1860 census of Jefferson County, Iowa.

     On 10 March 1853, Samuel and Fanny Hoover Brown deeded to Mary Bowers three parcels of land in Jefferson County: the east half of the southwest quarter of section four, town 71 N R11W; 21 acres in the SE corner of the NW fractional quarter of the same section, "forty rods east and west and in length north and south sufficient to make twenty-one acres", ten acres and a half of the west and middle part of the west half of the NE fractional quarter of Section 4, T71N, R11W. The price was $400.¹⁷ Samuel had purchased the 80 and 21 acre tracts from William Olney (for $454.50) on 26 Oct 1847¹⁸ and the 10.5 acres from William Roberts (for $42) on 7 March 1848¹⁹.
Peter Bowers and Mary Brown appeared on the census of 1856 at Jefferson County, Iowa, as follows: They had been in Iowa for 8 years and their three children, George W., age 7, "Julian", age 5, and Samuel P., age 2, had been born there. Elizabeth Good, age 28, was living with them and had been in Iowa for 11 years. Caroline Memury, age 7, also living with them, had been born in Iowa.²⁰

     In 1859, rich gold deposits were reported near Pike's Peak and the rush was on again, this time in wagons bearing the slogan "Pike's Peak or Bust." In 1860, Peter Bowers was one of a company of men who went to search for gold. A few stories of this are remembered, but no original records have been found. Although it appears that these men were gone from home at the time, they were duly recorded in the 1860 census. Peter Bowers kept a "diary" of the trip, but it was burned by his daughter, Maranda, presumably when it was old enough to be junk but not old enough to seem important in spite of its poor condition. Orville West²¹ said he had a written account of the trip but could not locate it. After talking with her grandfather, Peter Bowers, Lois (Ridgely) Murphy wrote the following in her diary, dated 2 Oct 1921.
"this p.m. Grandpa told me about the following: ... He told me about his trip to Pike's Peak. In 1860, (March 1) about 30 in a company started. They drove oxen to covered wagons and could drive about 25 miles a day. They went as far as Denver City about 1000 miles. 8 of them started home (?) on July 1. On July 3 they camped on the other side of Denver City and on July 4 on this side. It stormed so and they were all sturck [sic] or shocked by lightning. 3 of their number were killed. They arrived home about Aug. 1st."


One of those killed was Dan W. Brown, brother of Mary Bowers. (see the obituary of Fanny (Hoover) Brown Shank quoted elsewhere.) Dan's body was wrapped in a sheet and buried near the camp. When the lightning struck their tent pole, Peter Bowers was stunned and had to call a less injured man to drag him from the tent into the rain. He was able to pull his arms under his head as he lay there or he might have drowned. Peter recovered but bore scars (on his legs?) from this incident for the rest of his life. Benton Bunn includes Mary's brother Samuel among those who made this trip and returned safely.¹³ Doris (Ridgely) Olds has a mechanical pen and pencil combination that Peter Bowers carried on this trip. None of the stories of this trip indicate that any gold was found. Some indicate that the group was discouraged by the prospect of entering the large mountains and turned back short of the goal.
Granddaughter Edith Ankenbauer wrote: "About the trip to Pike's Peak -- they had moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa I remember they were telling of having to shut up every thing to keep the wolves from them and how they ran over the barn at night. Several of the neighbors including Grandfather and Grandmothers brother Dan heard of the gold rush to California so they left with horses and wagon and got as far as Pike's Peak but the trip thru the Mts looked to[o] hard to undertake so decided to return home and when the an unknown date got back as far as the Platt river in Nebraska a rain storm came up in the night and great-uncle Dan and an other were standing by the tent pole the lightening struck the pole killing both so they were buried beside the Platt River. Soon after they moved to Indiana. Grandpa had a sister Mag living in Indiana who visited him at one time that I can remember."²²

     Although Peter may have been in Colorado, his entire family is recorded in the 1860 census of Des Moines Township of Jefferson County, Iowa (4 June 1860):
Peter Bowers age 37 (39?) farmer b. Pa
Mary age 32 b. Pa.
George W. age 11 b. Ia.
Julia Ann age 9 b. Ia.
Samuel age 6 b. Ia.
Mary age 3 b. Ia.
Fanny age 1 b. Ia.


In 1860, Peter and Mary Bowers were baptized and joined the German Baptist Brethren Church.²³ He was elected to the ministry²⁴ but did little preaching. The German Baptist Brethren or "Dunkards" (now church of the Brethren) was the religious denomination in which Mary's family were quite active and which had a great religious influence on the family of Peter and Mary.

Mary's father, Samuel Brown, died in 1863, and her mother became dissatisfied in Iowa and wanted to move to Indiana. On 27 Feb. 1864, Peter and Mary Bowers sold to Michael F. Peebler for $1200 the three pieces of land that Mary had purchased from her parents in 1853. In 1864, Peter and Mary took their family of six children and moved to the area of Sulphur Springs in Henry Co., Indiana. This was another Brethren Community. Fanny Brown remained there for a time, but returned to Iowa. While in Indiana, Peter Bowers farmed and served as a minister to the Nettle Creek Church. Two more children were born in Indiana --- Delilah was born near Sulphur Springs on 1 April 1865 and Maranda was born in Sulphur Springs on 3 Oct 1867.²⁵ Apparently, Peter's sister Margaret and her husband Dennis Morgan joined the Bowers family in Henry County. Maranda wrote, "I have been told that I talked German until Uncle Dennis came to Ind. He was not Dutch."²⁶
     Gerald Bowers had a 2" by 2.5" picture in an embossed leather-over wood velvet lined case that is believed to be of Peter Bowers, a dark-bearded, dark haired young adult male. This picture is marked: Copies may be ordered from Philips Studio, 336 Superior St., Toledo, Ohio 43604, negative no. 55355. What is the meaning of this reference, complete with ZIP code?

     Peter and Mary Bowers left Indiana in 1869, and for the first time were clearly separated from the Brown family. The move was westward by covered wagon and may have included a group of families, but it is not known who were going, why they were going, or what their intended destination was. When they stopped at Noble, Illinois, a Mr. Alvord, who was looking for someone to help with his farm in Decker Township, came to Peter and offered work for Peter and his son. Peter accepted. The family went to Decker Township in Richland County in October 1869.²⁵ That was the beginning of our line in Illinois. Bowers children attended the rural Richland County schools. The Bowers girls, as well as the Bowers boys, were often employed by the Alvords.

     Peter and Mary Bowers stayed in the same area from 1869 to 1885. The 1870 census of Richland county shows the families of both Peter Bowers and his brother-in-law Dennis Morgan. Morgan lived in Noble Township and, on 13 July 1870, the family of Peter Bowers was listed in Decker Township, P. O. Box Franconia, as follows:
Peter Bowers 49 b. Penn.
Mary 43 b. Penn.
George W. 21 b. Iowa
Julia A. 19 b. Iowa
Samuel 17 b. Iowa
Mary 15 b. Iowa
Fannie 13 b. Iowa
Daniel 9 b. Iowa
Delila 5 b. Ind.
Maranda 2 b. Ind.

Although living in Decker or Noble Townships, Peter and Mary attended church at the Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren, then known as Big Creek, which was located in Bonpas Township. At least two Richland County marriages are recorded as having been performed by Peter Bowers, M. G. On 5 Oct 1880, he married Lawrence A. Fishel and Phoebe Fasnacht; on 10 Nov. 1899, it was George Lambert to Louise A. Talley.²⁷

     The family was living nearby in Noble Township when, in 1880, they were listed as:
Bowers, Peter 58 b. Penn. parents b. Penn
Mary 52 b. Penn parents b. Penn.
Samuel 26 b. Iowa
Fannie 21 b. Iowa
Daniel 18 b. Iowa
Delilah 15 b. Ind.
Maranda 12 b. Ind.

At this time George W. Bowers and his family were living in Decker Township, Mary and Hugh Findley were in Madison Township, and Julie and Frank Hardin were living in Olney with Frank's parents.

     In Oct. of 1885²⁵, Peter, Mary, and their five unmarried children moved east to a farm (known later as the Clint McVaigh farm) about a mile north of Red Head school, in Bonpas (pronounced Bum-paw) Township of Richland County. Within the next four years, these five children had married. In 1889, Peter and Mary moved to a farm of their own. The land records in Olney show that, in 1887, he bought land described as the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 17, Town 2 N, Range 14 West of the second principal meridian (40 acres) from A. C. Killefer for $450, subject to a mortgage of $250. This home was quite near the Walnut Grove Church -- so close that they could walk and attend nearly all the services, which they so much enjoyed.

It is during their residence in Bonpas Township that Peter and Mary Bowers enter the memory of people who were living in 1979 when Doris and Dan Olds prepared their book on the family. Alice (Bunch) Greninger, who lived in Calhoun, Illinois, remembered that, when she was a girl, she often saw them walking to church. This is the home some of the grandchildren remember. There were fish in a pond behind the house, and the grandchildren were allowed to feed bread to them. Grandchildren Anna and George say they remember the smell of grandmother's kitchen -- a good smell, kind of spicy. The pantry had a long table where the grandchildren ate when the family got together, which seemed to happen rather frequently. Food seemed plentiful but money was scarce. Granddaughter Edith²² remembers her grandmother putting extra pennies and nickels into a cup in a dresser drawer; this was for taxes.

     From the letters Mary and Peter Bowers wrote to the Hardin family, we learn about their later years together. These letters were kept by Julia Hardin and her daughter and later were in the possession of Julia's granddaughter, June Parker, who supplied copies for us to use in preparing the 1979 edition of our book. Some quotations and paraphrases from these letters are included here to preserve this view of their life.
(Noble, Richland County, Ilinois, 28 April 1885) Mary wrote that they were enjoying good health and hoped that Julia's family were also "all enjoying the same great blessing for health is surely the greatest blessing we can enjoy in this life, and let us think about it and be thankful to our heavenly Parent for the same." She also wrote about the garden saying the girls had over 200 nice cabbage plants set out, "we have lots of Pie plant [rhubarb] to use", and soon will have lettuce and peas. She wrote about selling old hens at 8.5 cents a pound and that they had three cows and a calf and seven horses. She wrote as if Hugh and Mary were in Bonpas Township and she had not seen them since last November. Signed "This in love to all, Mary Bowers to Julia Hardin".

(March 12, 1888) In this letter, Mary tells of being so disappointed that Julia did not come when expected; Hugh had gone to the train three times with the team to meet her; Eddie [Hardin] was with his grandparents; that she had saved sausage for Julia. On March 13, she added: "I sent my letter that was written on the 12th with Eddie to the School house yesterday morning to hand to the Mail carrier as he passes the School house every day and as Eddie came out of the house to hand the letter to the Mail carrier he fell and got the Envelope so muddy that the letter would not go so he brought it back in the evening and now I will send it to Berryville today as Dan is going there to see whether there is a letter there for us from you." About the grandchildren she writes: "Dear little children I can hardly wait until I get to see you". She says that Clara [Bowers] and Fannie [Rifner] and Willie [Rifner] are with them.
(20 Jan. 1889) "Oscar and Randa were here last night. A week ago they Bought a farm of 80 acres about half a mile South of our Schoolhouse owned by McClures". "Well we had no weddings lately but look out next summer the time is set this way whenever we get our house done and ready to move then Dan will be Married one day and Lila the next which will be on Dan's infare day we want you to keep ready for we want you all here; tell Frank to keep his clothes Brushed for we want him here for sure. [This is not the order in which the marriages did take place.]
(Parkersburg 3 Feb.1891) "Hugh's have moved to Olney ... ". "I will now tell your about our meeting we had in November. Brother David Troxel from Cero Gordo came to us and Commenced Preaching on friday evening November fifth and preached over three Sundays the Second Sunday Maranda was baptized: the ice had to be broken before they went in the water but she did not mind it at all then on the third Sunday after night meeting Sam and Dan & Jonas Rothrock were Baptized this was the first baptizing I saw done in the night ... Julia I don't want you to join any of them churches out there but I believe if you had been here you would have joined in the faul [sic] and I make all calculations that you will join next fall if you come at the time of our District meeting. I have no faith at all in any church that dont keep Christs Commandments for he saieth if ye love me keep my commandments." "Ella Arteberry recieved a boy on Christmas eve that weighed ten pound purty good for a little girl of sixteen years old they call him Francis Fink for the United Bretren [sic] Preacher" [first great grandchild] "Clara is still here and Dora at Dans Sams will take Clara and keep her after our School is out if Lou will let him have her until She is of age; and so will Dans keep Dora; Clara is a right good girl and so is Dora I often feel very sorry for the poor girls." "Well Julia last Friday was my Birthday but nothing unusual hapened on that day Pa and I was to Parkersburg to the store But next day Saturday towards noon here the folks come with baskets and tubs and buckets with good things such as roasterd Chickens and big Cakes and lots of different kinds of pies and lots of other things and I not thinking of anything until they drove up to the house, to be here; I will tell you who come Sams and Dans and Oscars and Franks & Canbys They had Invited Hughs but Hugh wrote to the boys that they could not come on account of the measles." "Julia your quarter came all right but the Pictures are not taken yet but if you Come in the fall you shall have one we will have some taken in the summer or when the roads gets so we can go to town again". She writes that she makes butter and gets only 10 cents for what she sells; eggs are 18 cents a dozen.
(11 March 1891) Peter Bowers wrote this one.
"Miss Maime Dear Grand Daughter "
"I will wrie a few lines to you to inform you that we are well and I hope this will find you all well pleas excuse me for not writing sooner as I am a poor hand to wrie if you was here I could talk to you much better then write, and it would be more Satisfaction to both. I would like very much to see you and in fact I would like to see all of you Pa and Ma Ed. Jessie Alice and Tolbard well Tolbard do you recolect any thing of Grandpa Childeren I wish we lived Close together so we could see one another often I Think of you but that is all I can do ... I am going on Seventy years old badly Stifened and Cripeled up" "I will now close by sending my love to all Peter Bowers"
(26 June 1891) "I steped on something with my left foot and bruised it and it gathered & broke in two places of itself and day before yesterday Dr. Canby came and lanced it or rather Cut it for he took his pocket knife to do it with but I hope it will get well now anyhow for I am very tired limping around here on one foot" "Well I suppose you got the card that Fannie wrote for you stateing that my dear Mother is dead they Sent me a box of her things last week it made me feel quite sad to think that Mothers things that she worked hard for are now being scattered every whers she requested of them before she died thatt they should send me her best dresses and her Bonnet So they sent five dresses three worsted ones and two blue Calico ones one black silk bonnet & one Shambria Bonnet one large double Shawl & a large Cape one coverlet and one quilt all ready for the bed and one ready to quilt two good bed Sheets two bolstercases one pair of woolen stockings and two pair of cotton stockings one winter hood nice new black bobinet cap two aprons & her thimble which I will keep as long as I live one plate out of a set she had when I was at home yet ... Mother made and quilted a quilt for Fannie for her name they sent it to her with my things" Signed M.B. to J. Hardin.
(1 Nov. 1891) "I am old and nervous writing is a hard task for me I am Seventy years Old you [Eddie] and Mamie and Jessie ought to write often tell Allis an Tolberd I would like to see them. I have not writen a letter for a long tim and I see I am making a poor out at if This will I think be the last one that I will ever write I send here with My love to all Peter Bowers to F.T. Hardan and Familey"
(5 Jan 1892) "Well Mary .... I will now tell how we spent Christmas we went over to Franks on Christmas morning and Hughs all came there and we had a big dinner and a big time and lots of talk ... I did not get anything Elise give Granpa two handkerchiefs and Frank Dollahon give Fannie an Apron a pair of stockings and a Handkerchief. I think I must have been bad that did not get anything. ... This in love from Grandma to Mary Hardin"
(Same date to Julia) "Lila was Baptized on the fifteenth of November Mellies baby was so young or she would have been Baptized when Lila was, but she put it off til Spring ... They named their baby Edney Eveline." "Julia I cannot say we are geting along very well we have plenty to eat and to wear but we are some in Debt and it seems like we cannot get out and it keeps me worried all the time; we lost an English Shire horse this fall that I had made great calculation on getting a good price for"
(probably 14 Jan. 1893, to the Hardin grandchildren) "Well children one & all what did you get for Christmas I expect you all got something nice I got a handkerchief and an orange and so did grandpa I think SantaClaus sent them with Frank Dolahon he came in the night and the things were in our Boots and shoes when we got up in the morning ... We buried two bushels of apples in the fall and never opened them yet but I wish you were all here I would go and get some and we would take a good mess ... butter is 18 cents, eggs 25 cents ... We killed four hogs for our meat and got lots of lard"
(29 Jan 1894) Mary says they had been sick and the neighbours and family were very good to bring in food. "and more than that the men gathered in and made a wood hauling & got up enough wood to last us all winter & summer Pa cant stand the cold now for the last three or four winters he can hardly get his feeding done when it is cold he has to come in and warm every little while before he is done feeding He is out choping wood now his broken rib is getting about well ... he fell on the sled when he was hauling corn fodder and broke one of his ribs Benton and Fannie had just come to stay all night or I dont know what we would have done Benton done the work that evening & next morning then Oscar found it out then he was here in a hurry when bad weather comes then he comes to see if he can do any thing for us ... Well Julia about coming to live with you it is a very good offer and I thank you very much for it but we must try and make our own living yet for a while but none of us would be afraid to come to live at your house for we think we would be well treated and the time may come that it will all be so Pa says he must work as long as Doll and Clara [horses] lives but when they die he will quit I got a letter from Mag and one from Sam he says he will pay us a visit before very long but he dont say when he never settled Mothers estate yet but says he will now in April but I think it will take all Mother left to pay Mag for keeping her for they say she was very troublesome & expensive ... Well Julia we never had our pictures taken but I have the same quarter you sent to pay for one we will try and have them taken this coming summer if we live ... My love to you all Mary Bowers."
     (23 May 1895, Mary Bowers to her Hardin grandchildren) "Well girls you say in your letters you wish Grandpa and I would come out there I expect in a year or so we will quit farming and then we will try and come to see you and stay until you are all tired of us for by that time you girls will all have fellows and then you dont like to have such old folks there and wish we would go home ... I get about two Dozen Eggs a day I am looking for the huxter now I have ten dozen and a half of eggs for him I get ten cents a dozen"
(8 Sept. 1896) "Mrs. Julia A. Hardin Dear Daughter and Familey" Peter states that they are "reasonable well", the crops are "just midling good fruit of all kind is very faulty" and "I thought when I began that I would write this Sheet full but I get the Cramp in my hand I can not write more but I will Send this hoping you will answer soon" --- Peter Bowers.
To this letter Mary adds "It is so hard for me to write a letter and that is the reason that I put it off so long I did not write to Lila since in February but they are coming back this fall after corn gathering and Frank will tend our farm. Pa is not able to farm any more he will be seventy five years old the twenty ninth of this month if he lives we have a crop out this summer but crops are not very good this yeare but everything is low wheat forty cents oats 10 cents eggs 7 cts young Chickens 7 cts per pound old hens 6 cts per lb ..." "Can you read and write German I forgot all my duch writing but I can read duch print" Signed Mary Bowers
(15 April 1897) In this letter Mary tells about the family.
"Franks Moved back from the north and are now living Close to us which is a great deal of satisfaction to us Franks have three Children Edith and Glenn and Ruth the youngest is three years old going on four since the seventh of March. Oscars have two children Bertha and Howard Dans have two Sam and Anna. Sams have four Mary and Edna and Esther and Clark Ray. Hughs have six I think you know all their names but the baby they had her named Mary but they changed her name to Clara Bell Bentons have two boys Benton and Benny they have another prospect" "I wish you would come this fall when we have our protracted meeting which will be sometime in October I think we live so close to the meeting house that we can go in almost any kind of weather we have Sunday School every Sunday and Preaching every other Sunday." "Lou Taylor has an other boy they call him Oscar Lorenzo this makes four children with Taylor three boys and one girl but one boy the next to the baby is dead they had him named Pearl ??? they call the girl Nina and the oldest boy Henry Ella [Arteberry] has four by this time but I have not heard what the youngest is the two oldest boys Frank and Henry and the third a girl they Call her Daisy" "Well I must tell you a little about our stock we still have four horses Clara and Doll are still alive then we have one Six years old and one three but no Sale for them onley once in a while that a person can sell a horse we have too many horses" She closes with "My paper is all and I must quit ... Mary Bowers"
(3 Aug 1898) "Dear Julia and Family ... I got a letter from him [Ed] just a little while before he left home and I could not answer it on account of my broken arm then I got one from him that was written when he was at Lytle Georgia but he directed to Berryville and I did not get it for so long that I did not know where to direct that he would get it now let me know as soon as you get this where he is and whether he is alive yet I feel so sorry that he ever joined the army but I hope he will come home allright write soon and address Parkersburg my arm is not near right and I dont think it ever will be right I think my hand will always be Crippled I can hardly make out to write I cant Sew at all and I cant milk. it was broken in the wrist joint and that is what makes it so hard to heal I can work my fingers some but cant shut my hand tight or straigten my fingers out ... Dan comes twice a week to use the Electric Battery on my arm and hand ... Mary Bowers to Julia Hardin"
In a letter to Edward Hardin, Mary wrote "our wheat is on shock we had it cut with the binder all but a little Grandpa Cradled it and is binding at it now but will be done today it is in the orchard where they could not cut with the Machine".

     Peter Bowers and Mary Brown appeared on the census of 26 Jun 1900 at Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois. Peter is listed as born in Sept. 1821, age 78, married 54 years, born in Pennsylvania and parents born in Pennsylvania. Mary is listed as born in Jan. 1828, age 72, having had 8 children of whom 7 were still living, born in Pennsylvania and parents born in Pennsylvania.²⁸
     Peter and Mary continued to live near the Church until Mary died in their home on 18 Nov 1901, at the age of 73 years, 9 months, 18 days. It was then decided that Peter would live with his children. The children met, and after taking out all they felt their father might want, divided the rest of the household goods as fairly as they could. This is the method they devised for fair division. The things were divided into piles made as equal as possible. Then one son designated a pile and the other son, who was in another room so that he could not see which pile was designated, called a name to tell whose pile that would be. Among those things were home spun coverlets that have been handed down and treasured by their owners. Granddaughters Clara Moore and Leah McNamara each had one, and there may be others. The farm home of 38 acres (40 acres minus two acres of which at least one was sold to H. F. Dollahon) was sold in Feb. of 1902 to Eli Weesner for $800, subject to a mortage of $325, as recorded in the land records of Richland county.

From then on, Peter spent most of his time with his sons, Sam and Dan. His other children visited him there, and he visited in their homes. Maranda made it a point to cut his hair when she went to see him. He went to North Dakota when Dan and his family went but did not stay as long as Dan did, making the trip back alone at the age of ninety. He and his granddaughter Evelyn had a special relationship. She was but a year old when Peter first went to stay, so Evelyn grew up with Grandpa in her home. When Evelyn did something of which her parents disapproved, it was Grandpa who came to Evelyn's defense. Anna (Bowers) Fritchey told of the following example of this. When some rather rough speaking men worked for Dan, Evelyn announced that she could swear just as well as they could. Grandpa thought this was amusing and not a call for punishment. Anna also related that Grandpa fit right into the family -- there was no generation gap felt. She said, too, that Granpa told some colorful stories of life at his boyhood home, for example, their drinking out of "the old brown jug". Granddaughter Lois remembered hunting hickory nuts with Grandpa and that he used his cane to rake away the leaves so she could pick up the nuts. She also told the following story: "When Grandpa was visiting at Maranda's, Maranda was sweeping the room while he was sitting in a chair. She did not want to bother him so she said, 'Just sit still; I'll sweep around you.' Grandpa got up and moved anyway, saying, 'I like a clean place to sit just as well as anybody.'" Lois also remembered that, after her grandfather died, his face was covered with a cloth that Evelyn lifted so Lois could see him.

"When I was a lad, maybe seven or eight years old, I used to saddle up and ride to church --- any church, sometimes to the Dunkard Church, sometimes farther. That as the way my father was. He didn't care where I went as long as I stayed out of trouble. Grandpa and I shared a room and he would wake up when I came home. He'd always ask me what the text was. I learned early to listen to what the preacher talked about. Since Grandpa went to bed early, he sometimes would have his sleep out when I came home. He'd ask if I was sleepy and I'd say 'no' and we'd sit up and talk. He'd look up the text in his German Bible and he'd give several other texts that related to the subject, quoting chapter and verse. He knew his Bible very well."¹¹

In his later years, Peter spent many hours sitting in a wicker rocker under the shade trees in Dan's front yard at Berryville, Illinois, moving only as the sun made it necessary. He watched the people come and go at the little store across the road, many of whom stopped to chat a bit with him. He had a bedroom at Dan's in which there were a comfortable chair and a heating stove; so in bad weather he spent most of his time in this room.

As he got closer to being 100 years old, he began to hope to be 100, saying that he had come so close, he would like to see his 100th birthday. And he did! A big picnic dinner was held in his honor for all friends and relatives. It was held in the woods across the road from the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Maranda and Oscar Ridgely. Being 100 years old was such an unusual achievement that many people came so they could say they had attended a 100th birthday celebration. Tables had been prepared by nailing braces and brackets onto trees. On these were laid long boards, ready for the cloths and food. Needless to say, the tables were laden with the best of good eats from the homes of many good cooks. The weather cooperated and it was a beautiful fall day. It was spent eating, visiting, and taking pictures. A five generation picture and a long picture of the group of people attending were among those taken that day.

After reaching his goal of living to be 100 years old, Peter did not have much desire to continue living, but his only complaint was that he felt so tired and worn out. At Berryville, Illinois, at the home of his son Dan, he quietly passed away in the morning of 18 Feb 1922, at the remarkable age of 100 years, 4 months, and 20 days. His death certificate stated "Cause of death -- unknown" for "old age" could not be given as a cause. As was the custom, his body was kept at the home until the time of the funeral, which was held at the Walnut Grove Church. He was laid to rest beside the grave of his companion Mary in the Walnut Grove Cemetery east of Parkersburg, Illinois.
Peter Bowers appeared on the census of 6 May 1910 at Kenmare, Ward County, North Dakota, as follows: Peter Bowers, age 88, widowed, b. Penn., parents b. Penn., father of Dr. D. W. Bowers, in whose family he is listed.²⁹
     In the year that Peter Bowers would become 100, Maranda Ridgely wrote to her son Howard. "Grandpa is so well and seemed to feel good. His hands are not sore nor haven't been for a long time. He's a little stiff because of rheumatism but that isn't painful like it is sometimes."³⁰
     "Peter Bowers, of Bonpas Township, celebrated his 100th birthday anniversary last Thursday, The event was observed by a great gathering of relatives and friends, Grandfather Bowers is in fairly good health and thoroughly enjoyed the day with his family and friends, Mr. Bowers was born in Pennsylvania. This is the second citizen of Richland County to celebrate one hundred years of life. Two weeks ago Mrs. Elmira Riggs of Preston Township passed the 100^th milestone, which event was also duly celebrated at the time."³¹
     His obituary states:
     "A Tribute to the late Grandpa Bowers
"On Saturday morning, Feb. 18, while countless multitudes were busy here and there with the various activities of this life, Grandpa Bowers quietly closed his eyes forever upon the things of this world and passed on to the world eternal, without so much as a struggle. He just fell asleep. His passing away so quietly and peacefully was typical of the quiet inoffensive life that he ever lived, a life that will be an everlasting monument to his memory. Grandpa Bowers, as he was familiarly called, was a man who was loved and reverenced by all who knew him. His very presence in the home seemed to exhale a benediction. The son of a Dunkard preacher, and himself a one time Dunkark preacher, his clean, pure life sent out an influence for good that will long live in the hearts of those with whom he was intimately associated.
"For a number of years he has made his home, alternately, with his two sons S. P. Bowers of Bonpas, and Dr. D. W. Bowers of Berryville, his death occuring at the home of the latter, at the remarkable age of 100 years and 4 months.
"Though very frail in body, he enjoyed remarkable good health for one of his years, until a few days before his passing away, when he complained of feeling so tired and worn out. Up to that time he was in full possession of all his faculties, his eyesight being the only one of his senses that was in any way impaired. It is with a feeling of profound respect to his memory that we say: "Peace be to his ashes"."³²
     Another obituary for Peter states:
     "OBITUARY
"Peter Bowers was born September 29, 1821, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania; died February 18, 1922, age 100 years, 4 months, 20 days.
"For many years he has been a resident of Richland county except for a few years spent in North Dakota. He was united in marriage to Mary Brown. To this union were born eight children: three sons, George, Daniel and Samuel; five daughters, Mrs. Lila Dollahon, Kenmare, N. Dak; Mrs. Julia Hardin, Sedalia, Mo; Mrs. Mary Findley, Parkersburg; Mrs. Fanny Bunn, Olney, and Mrs. Oscar Ridgely, Parkersburg. The children are all living except George. His wife preceded him in death 20 years.
"He united with the Church of the Brethren at the age of forty; was elected to the ministry two years later and so long as his health permitted was an active worker for his church.
"In all his dealings with mankind he was just, fair and honorable. His patience and forbearance through the long years when all of life seemed at an end for him, and yet he was forced to wait inactive, have been a source of wonder and inspiration to those who knew him best. Since his 100th birthday he has grown steadily weaker until at last without suffering, his eyes closed in death.
"'Lives of Great men oft remind us
"We should make our lives sublime
"And departing leave behind us
"Footprints on the sands of time.
"Funeral services were conducted Monday, February 20, at the Dunkard church by Rev. I. M. Miller. Text for the occasion was Hebrews 11:10"
"CARD OF THANKS
"We desire to thank our friends whoso kindly assisted during the death and burial of our father, Peter Bowers.
"The Sons and Daughters."^33,34
     His obituary states:

     The following is from the Gospel Messenger of March 24 (or 25?), 1922.
                                        IN MEMORY OF PETER BOWERS
"Peter Bowers, son of John and Hannah (Emfield) Bowers, was born in Indiana County, Pa., Sept 29, 1821, and died in Richland County, Ill., Feb. 18, 1922, aged one hundred years, four months and twenty days. He grew to young manhood in Pennsylvania, and married Mary Brown Dec. 5, 1845. Soon afterward they moved to Iowa, where they resided seventeen years. From there they moved to Henry County, Ind., where they lived five years, coming to Richland County, Ill., in October, 1869, where he had since resided, except for about one and one-half years, spent with his children in North Dakota.
"While living in Iowa, he was converted. He joined the Church of the Brethren and was called to the ministry. While he never did a great deal of preaching, he was a good counselor and always interested in the work of the church. As along as he could see, he read his Bible and the 'Messenger.' His wife died Nov. 18, 1901. Since then he made his home with his two sons, living with one eight years and with the other twelve.
"Although not very strong bodily, he retained a fair use of his faculties until almost the last. He enjoyed talking of 'long ago'. He saw the United States grow from a young republic to a strong one. He saw traffic change from the ox-cart and horse to the auto and aeroplane.
"He leaves two sons, five daughters, fourty-three grandchildren, fifty-six great-grandchildren and eleven great-great-granchildren. Services at Walnut Grove church by Bro. I. M. Miller, assisted by Bro. Dow A. Ridgely.
     Parkersburg, Illinois          Maranda Ridgely."

     The monument which marks the graves of Peter and Mary Bowers is unusual and different from any other in that cemetery, as it is made of a metallic substance and has plates on which the inscriptions are recorded. The whole monument is covered with a substance which gives it a steel gray appearance. This is the same cemetery in which four of their children and several of their grandchildren are also buried.

At his death, Peter Bowers left little or nothing of monetary value, but to his survivors and future descendants, he and Mary left the genes of longevity and the example of lives based on a plain common-sense life style, close family ties, and a strong faith in God.

The story of Peter and Mary Bowers would not be complete without mentioning the Bowers Reunion. It began when Dan Bowers and Hugh Findley returned from a harvest time in North Dakota, where Frank and Lila Dollahon lived. This was in the early 1900s. So that all the family could welcome Dan and Hugh home and hear about Lila and her family, a chowder was planned. It was held in the woods across the road from the home of Oscar and Randa Ridgely, south of the Red Head School in Bonpas Township. Fires were built and big 50 gallon iron butchering kettles were brought out ready to cook the chowder. The families came with horses and wagons or buggies. The horses were hitched to nearby trees for the day. All kinds of vegetables were brought and prepared, and different kinds of meat, including squirrels, were added. Two kinds of chowder were prepared, one without tomatoes and the "red chowder" with tomatoes. This was done for those who liked tomatoes and those who did not.

For a time, the Reunion was a chowder, but later this changed to a basket dinner. It became more convenient then to hold the Reunion in the yard at Oscar and Randa's home. At first there was not a definite date set for this annual event, but each year a time was selected and the message passed around. In the late 1920s or early 30s it was agreed that the time for the Bowers Reunion would be the third Sunday in August. Even after G. H. Ridgely had purchased the Oscar Ridgely home, the Reunion continued to be held at the same place until 1969, when, because of the health of both G. H. and his wife Mary, the place for the Reunion was changed to the Olney City Park. Herschel Henry made the park arrangements each year for the Reunion on the third Sunday of August.

The Reunion has always been an informal affair. There are no officers, no announcements of it -- everyone just goes. There is no pre-arranged program, but for at least one Fred Arteberry and his daughter sang, Jim Findley often had a poem for the occasion, and sometimes the family background was briefly reviewed. Always there were visiting and renewing old family ties. It was a great day for the children too, from the early times when they swung on grape vines and rode down saplings in the woods to the later ones when they saw and rode the horses and played with the two-wheeled horse cart, and recently enjoyed the playground equipment at the park. But ask anyone about the Bowers Reunion and he is sure to mention the food. Dan Olds, for one, would have been disappointed if Pat Fritchey had not brought her fruit salad; Ethel Ridgely's angel food cakes were in demand; and Aunt Elise's lemon pies were "out of this world". We should not have begun naming, for there is no end. The tables were loaded with most delicious food. Surely the best of the good Pennsylvania Dutch cooks must be in the Bowers family.
A five year old boy (not of the Bowers family) was present at one of the Reunions, and later when telling his parents about it, he said, "The people there looked kinda funny, but the food sure was good!" We may not agree with him about the people, but he was 100% right about the food.
     In about 1945, when Peter and Mary Bowers would have been married for 100 years, Maranda began to collect the names of all their descendants and their spouses. This quote is from the introduction to one version of her collection.
"Family Record of Peter and Mary Bowers
"Peter Bowers, son of John and Hannah (Emfield) Bowers was born in Pennsylvania Sep 29, 1821. Mary Brown daughter of Samuel and Frances (Hoover) Brown was born in Pennsylvania January 30, 1828. Peter and Mary Bowers were married in Pennsylvania December 4, 1845. They went by boat from Pennsylvania to Iowa via the Ohio river - locating in Iowa in 1847. After living in Iowa 17 years they immigrated to Indiana. After living in Indiana 5 years they came to Illinois in 1869. Peter Bowers died in Berryville Illinois Feb. 18, 1922 Aged 100 yrs. 4 mo. 20 da.
"Mary Bowers died in their home near Parkersburg Illinois November 18, 1901 - aged 73 years 9 mo 18 da.
"Their children - and Grandchildren
George Washington Bowers was born near Batavia Iowa April 3, 1849 - died in Illinois Dec. 17, 1881, aged 32 yrs. 8 mos. 14 da."

The document continues in this way, not very different in purpose from the current electronic version and still a valuable reference. She compiled this from her own knowledge and well as extensive correspondence with the family members. Even more so than the document, her interest in family is a major source of my own avocation.³⁵

     Rachel Ann Bowers was born on 9 May 1828.¹ She was the daughter of John Bowers and Johanna "Hannah" Empfield. Rachel Ann Bowers was baptized on 29 Jun 1828 at Brush Valley Lutheran Church, Brush Valley Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The baptismal record says Rachel Ann was born 9 May 1828, the daughter of "John Bower and Johanna".¹
     She is listed in her father's estate papers as the wife of Daniel Fetterman. A Rachel Bowers, age 21, is listed in the family of John in 1850. The 1860 census of Indiana County shows Daniel as age 40 and Rachel as age 30. Another Daniel and Rachel Fetterman also appear in the 1850 and 1860 census records of the county.

     Richard Edward Bowers was born on 30 Aug 1921.¹ He was the son of Samuel Peter Bowers and Flossie Lee Seymour.¹ Richard Edward Bowers died on 25 May 1983 at Madisonville, Kentucky, at age 61.^2,3 He was buried on 28 May 1983 at Haven Hill Cemetery, Olney, Richland County, Illinois. The minister was Rev. Dwight Jones and the casket bearers were Jack Bauman, Joe Willis, Donald Wright, Jr., Clarence Feutz, and Harry L. Fessel.⁴
     About 1978, Richard was in business for himself in promoting the production of oil and coal. It involves leasing, clearing titles, etc. He lived in Madisonville, Kentucky. He was not married.⁵
     His obituary states:
     "Richard E. Bowers, 61, Greenville Pike, Madisonville, Ky., died Wednesday, at 8:15 p.m. in Clinic Convalescent Center in Madisonville.
"Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in Summers Funeral Home with Rev. Dwight Jones presiding. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Haven Hill Cemetery.
"Memorials can be made to the donor's choice.
"Mr. Bowers was born Aug 30, 1921, in Olney, the son of Samuel and Flossie (Seymour) Bowers.
"He was a broker; and a member of the First United Methodist Church.
"Surviors include a brother, Gerald, Oregon, Ohio; and his mother, Mrs. Flossie Bowers.
"He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Claude Bowers."⁶

     Richard Ernest Bowers was born on 31 Jan 1904 at Edwards County, Illinois.¹ He was the son of Daniel W. Bowers M. D. and Elise Rebecca Canby.¹ Richard Ernest Bowers died c Mar 1904.² He was buried.³

     Salome "Sarah" Bowers married John Empfield.¹ Salome "Sarah" Bowers was born on 31 Mar 1817.^1,2 She was the daughter of John Bowers and Johanna "Hannah" Empfield. Salome "Sarah" Bowers was baptized on 1 Aug 1822 at Brush Valley Lutheran Church, Brush Valley Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The baptismal record lists her as Salome Bauer, born 31 May 1817, the daughter of "Johann Bauer and Johanna".² She died on 14 Dec 1855 at age 38.^1,3
     She is named as a deceased daughter Sarah Empfield (wife of John) in her father's estate records. Her heirs were Jemima, Thomas and Peter. In the 1850 census, John and Sarah Empfield's family included Jemima, Juliann, Nancy, Isaac, Peter, and Lucinda.⁴

     Samuel Edwin Bowers was born on 29 Oct 1903 at Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.¹ He was the son of Samuel Peter Bowers and Malvina Ernestine Houser.¹ Samuel Edwin Bowers died on 29 Sep 1972 at Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois, at age 68.¹ He was buried at Memorial Garden Cemetery, near Carbondale, Illinois.²
     Edwin taught school in Richland County, and one of the schools he taught was Red Head School. He was later a Railway Postal Transportation Clerk, serving for some time on the Illinois Central Railroad from Carbondale to Chicago R. P. O. At the time of his death, he had retired and was living in Carbondale.¹
     His obituary states:
     "Samuel Edward [sic] Bowers, 69, of Carbondale and a native of Bonpas Township, died unexpectedly at his home last Friday.
"Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Van Natta Funeral Home at Carbondale with interment in Memorial Garden Cemetery near Carbondale.
"He was a retired U.S. Railway Mail Clerk on the Illinois Central Railroad, and was a member of the Assembly of God Church at Carbondale.
"He was a son of the late Samuel and Melvina Houser Bowers.
"He was married to the former Gladys Byer[sic].
"Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Norman, who is located in Germany, and two grandchildren. Three sisters, Mrs. Mary Adams and Mrs. Herschel (Lilia[sic]) Henry both of Claremont and Mrs. Esther Ribley of Olney also survives[sic].
"Several nieces and nephews also survive."²

     Samuel Peter Bowers was born on 2 Jul 1853 at near Batavia, Iowa. At 12 noon.¹ He was the son of Peter Bowers and Mary Brown. Samuel Peter Bowers married Malvina Ernestine Houser on 3 Mar 1887 at Richland County, Illinois.² Samuel Peter Bowers died on 4 Jul 1929 at Olney, Richland County, Illinois, at age 76.^1,3 He was buried on 6 Jul 1929 at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.^4,5
     Samuel Peter Bowers who was born in Iowa, moved with his family to Indiana, then to Illinois when he was 16 years old. Sam earned his living mainly from farming, but for several years he was also employed as a teacher in the rural schools of Richland County. From a letter written by his mother, Mary (Brown) Bowers, we learn that he taught a five month term of school for $38 per month. About 1898 he attended school at Carbondale, Illinois, where he was especially interested in math. However, because of poor eyesight, he did not stay at Carbondale long enough to receive a degree. Sam earned a reputation for good penmanship. Some of his own children were among his pupils. The father's example must have made an impression on them, for all except one of his children spent some time teaching school.

Sam's wife "Mellie" was a jolly person with a good sense of humor, and together they made a home where others were welcome. After the death of Sam's brother George, Clara Bowers, one of George's daughters, stayed for some time with Sam and Mellie. Again, according to a letter written by Sam's mother, they would have kept Clara permanently if her mother had given her permission. Later, after a niece died, her son, Sherman Atteberry, lived with the Sam Bowers family for a short time. Sherman was about the age of Sam's younger son, and they became great playmates. Then, for a time Peter Bowers made his home with his son Sam.

With the help of his family, Sam managed the Richland County Farm for six years, about 1906 - 1912. The last home Sam and Mellie Bowers was a farm located southeast of Claremont, Illinois. The house was a one-and-a-half story white frame house with a porch across the front. After Sam's death, the first oil well in Bonpas Township was drilled on this farm, which was then owned by his widow.⁶
     Samuel Peter Bowers, born 2 July 1853, died 4 July 1929, son of Peter Bowers and Mary Brown, died of carcinoma of the liver and (secondarily) obstructive jundise [sic]. An operation had been performed on 26 June 1929 for gall bladder disease.⁷
     His obituary states:
"Death of Samuel Bowers
"Samuel Bowers, 76, passed awar at the Olney Sanitarium last Thursday morning. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Dunkard church in Bonpas township.
"Mr. Bowers was a highly respected citizen of Bonpas township. He is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters. He also leaves a brother Dr. S. P. [sic] Bowers, of Claremont, and four sisters, Mrs. Mary Findley, of Parkersburg, Mrs. Delilah Dollahan, of Kenmare, S. D; Mrs. Fannie Bunn and Mrs. Oscar Ridgley [sic], of Bonpas township.⁸
     His obituary states:
"Samuel Bower [sic] Buried Saturday
"Samuel Bower [sic], well known citizen of Bonpas Township, passed away at the Olney Sanitarium last Thursday morning and was buried Saturday afternoon. Funeral services were held at the Dunkard church in Bonpas Township.
"Mr. Bower had long been a leader of his community, having served as Supervisor for Bonpas and as keeper ot the county infirmary. At an earlier period of his life he had taught school.
"The community lost a most highly respected and loved member when Mr. S. P. Bowers passed away. Mr. Bowers spent most of his 76 years, since he was about 17, in this county, and many of us remember him as our teacher, as he taught school for many years. Burial service and interment was at Walnut Grove [or] Dunkard as it is more familiarily known."⁵

     Samuel Peter Bowers was born on 16 Jun 1890 at Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.² He was the son of Daniel W. Bowers M. D. and Elise Rebecca Canby.¹ Samuel Peter Bowers married Flossie Lee Seymour on 27 Sep 1920 at Palestine, Crawford County, Illinois.³ Samuel Peter Bowers died on 22 Dec 1969 at Olney, Richland County, Illinois, at age 79.² He was buried at Haven Hill Cemetery, Olney, Richland County, Illinois.²
     He registered with the World War I Selective Service System on 5 Jun 1917 at Olney, Richland County, Illinois. He described himself as living 330 N. Walnut, Olney, Illinois, age 26, born 16 June 1890 in Calhoun, Illinois, and his occupation was a mechanic for Otto R. Von Almen in Olney. He was medium in height, medium in build, with blue eyes and had brown hair. He was single with no dependents.⁴ Sam was a veteran of WWI, serving in the Infantry. He went overseas in April of 1918. While overseas he wrote his Aunt Maranda Ridgely, and three of those letters were found among her papers -- two from France and one from Germany. He writes in one that he was sent to the front lines on his birthday, 1918. In the letter from Germany, 30 March 1919, he writes of his insignia, "Blue field with three white stripes. The stripes are for the three major operations, Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne, the blue field for those that died. On my right sleeve there is nothing except the three sergeant's stripes, the rest of it being for wound stripes, and I am grateful that I have none."⁵
     Samuel Peter was named for both of his grandfathers. As a young man he taught in the rural schools of Richland County. After his marriage he lived in Olney. For a number of years he operated a garage and was a Chevrolet dealer; however something about the chemicals used affected his skin and he had to quit that business. He then became an employee of the Murray Hardware Store. After retiring, Sam continued to live in Olney until his death. His widow Flossie and son Claude William, who never married, continue [in 1978] to live there in the Bowers home.⁵
     His obituary states:
     "S. P. Bowers, War Veteran, Dies Today
"Samuel P. Bowers, 79, of 820 North Fair street, Olney, died at 8:15 a.m. today at the Richland Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
"Mr. Bowers was born in Bonpas township on June 16, 1890, son of the late Dr. Daniel W. and Elise Canby Bowers. In his earlier life, Mr. Bowers taught school in this county. For a number of years, he operated a garage here.
"He was a veteran of World War I and was a member of First United Methodist church, Olney Lodge No. 140 AF & AM, Richland Post No. 30 American Legion and Olney Memorial Post No. 4226, Veteran of Foreign Wars.
"He was married to Flossie Seymour, who survives, as well as three sons, Richard E. Bowers of Madisonville, Ky., Claude W. Bowers at home, and Gerald L. Bowers of Oregon, Ohio; two grandchildren, Myron Bowers and Evett Bowers, both of Oregon, Ohio, and three step-grandchildren, Thomas, Michael and Christian Rokicki of Oregon, Ohio.
"Also surviving are two sisterSamuel Peter Bowers, Mrs. Alden (Anna) Fritchey of Claremont and Mrs. Everett (Evelyn) Peace of North Liberty, Ohio.
"Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. in the Chapel of Schaub Funeral Home, with burial in Haven Hill Cemetery.
"Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. Tuesday.
"Rev. Dr. W. A. Robinson will officiate."⁶

     William Bowers was born c 1845. He was the son of John Bowers and Mary Fisher.
     Perhaps this is the Civil War veteran of this name, born 1845, died 1929, buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Canoe Township. He was living in Canoe Township at the time of the 1870 census. He and his wife Mary were both age 24 and had one son, Austin, age 4. William was living in Indiana County about 1913 and in Hillsdale in 1925. In 1910 he was enumerated at age 64 with his 2nd wife, Mary, age 48, to whom he had been married 7 years.

     Mattie Bowlby was born on 4 Mar 1874. She married Edwin A. Ridgely, son of Abel Ridgely and Elizabeth L. Clodfelter. Mattie Bowlby died on 23 Jan 1957 at age 82.¹
     Mattie Ridgely and Edwin A. Ridgely appeared on the census of 20 Jun 1900 at Madison Township, Richland County, Illinois, as follows:
     301/314 Ridgely, Edwin A., head, b. July 1861, 38, marr. 4 yrs., b. Ill., parents b. Ill., farmer
      , Mattie H., wife, b. Mar. 1873, 37, marr. 4 yrs, 2 children, 2 living, b. Colorado, father b. Ohio, mother b. Kentucky
      , Joy, daughter, b. Sept. 1896, 3, b. Ill., father b. Ill., mother b. Colorado
      , Dale, son, b. Mar. 1900, 2/12, b. Ill., father b. Ill., mother b. Colorado.²

     Marriage banns for him were published on 7 Nov 1840.² Archibald C. Bowles married Ruth Hardy Olds, daughter of Asaph Olds and Anna Hale, on 25 Nov 1840 at Springfield, Massachusetts.^3,4

     Asa L. Bowman married Jessie (?).² Asa L. Bowman died on 16 Dec 1963 at Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.³ He was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.⁴
     Asa L. Bowman appeared on the census of 5 Jun 1900 at Spartanburg Township, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, as follows:
     47/47 Bowman, Asa L., head, b. Apr 1849, 51, marr. 25 yrs, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., waste packer in mill, can read and write, renter of home
      , Martha, wife, b. Sept 1856, 53, marr. 25 yrs, 14 children, 12 living, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., can read and write
      , Lily, dau., b. May 1878, 22, single, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., cotton mill weaver
      , Joe, son, b. Oct. 1881, 18, single, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., cotton mill weaver
      , Mattie, dau., b. Mardh 1884, 16, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., occupation none
      , Mamie, dau., b. March 1886, 14, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., cotton mill spinner
      , Nannie, dau., b. Apr 1888, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., cotton mill spinner
      , Crosby, son, b. Apr 1898, 11, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., cotton mill spinner
      , Georgie, son, b. Oct. 1899, 9, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., cotton, mill spinner
      , Asa, son, b. ??? 1895, 5, b. N. C., parents b. N. C.
      , Dewey, son, b. ??? 1899, 3? (or 5?)/12, b. N. C., parents b. N. C.
      Edwards, Willie J., son-in-law, b. Feb? 1877, 23, marr., b. N. C., parents b. N. C., cotton mill weaver
      , Tena, dau., b. ??? 1880, 20, marr., b. N. C., parents b. N. C., no occupation.⁵
Asa L. Bowman appeared on the census of 7 Jan 1920 at 12 Street, Miami City, Dade County, Florida, as follows:
     162/168 Johnson, Glover M., head, renter, 31, marr., born North Carolina, parents b.North Carolina, meat cutter, store
      , Lillie, wife, 25, marr., b. N. C., parents b. N. C., occupation none
      [4 children]
      Bowman, Bud, Brother-in-law, 28, marr., b. S. C., parents b. U. S., carpenter, house
      , Blanch, sister-in-law, 20, marr., b. N. C., parents b. N. C., sales lady, dry goods store.⁶
Asa L. Bowman appeared on the census of 8 Apr 1930 at Clifton Mill No. 3, Spartanburg Township, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, as follows:
     118/125 Bowman, B. B. head, renter for $6,34, widowed, b. N.C., parents b. N. C., weaver, cotton mill
      , Martha, mother, 74, 1st marr. at 19, married, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., occupation none
      , J. Baxter, brother. 61, single, b. N. C., parents b. N. C., occupation none
      , Lillie, sister, 54, single, b. N. C., parents b. N.C., occupation nosne.⁷
Asa L. Bowman and Jessie (?) appeared on the census of 17 Apr 1940 at Square, Converse, Spartanburg Township, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, as follows:
     36, renter, $4, Bowman, A. L., 43, grade 4, b. TN, weaving, cotton mill
      , Jessie, wife, 36, grade 7, b. TN, weaver, cotton mill
      , Lealon, son, 9, grade 4, b. S. C.
[This age looks like 19 with the 1 crossed out.]
      , Darris, son, 6, b. S. C.
[This whole family lived in the same place as of 1 April 1935.]⁸
Asa L. Bowman and Jessie (?) appeared on the census of 11 Apr 1950 at 3-4 Square Street, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, as follows:
     175, Bowman, Asa L., head, 53, marr., b. N. C., oiler in textile plant
      , Jessie, wife, 44, marr., b. South? Carolina, weaver in textile mill.⁹
Find his obit: BOWMAN , ASA LEE , --
68 , Converse , h/o Jessie Bowman ,-- ,-- , -- ,--
SH , 12/17/1963 , p.18 , -- , --.

     J. S. Boyd was born in 1848.¹ He married Ophelia Olds, daughter of Henry Olds and Elizabeth Hull, in 1877.¹ J. S. Boyd died in 1881.¹

     Kate Boyd was born in Nov 1878.^2,3 She was the daughter of J. S. Boyd and Ophelia Olds.¹

     Mary J. Boyd was born on 10 Mar 1845.¹ She married Milton Hall Olds, son of William F. Olds and Mary B. Hall, on 17 Nov 1882.¹

     Oscar H. Boyd was born in Jun 1881.^2,3 He was the son of J. S. Boyd and Ophelia Olds.¹ Oscar H. Boyd married Alice Ackerman in 1912.¹

     Todd Boyd was born in Nov 1878.^2,3 He was the son of J. S. Boyd and Ophelia Olds.¹ Todd Boyd married Rachel Werley in 1909.¹

     Donald LaVerne Boyden Boyden died on 15 Jul 1933, at birth.¹ He was born on 15 Jul 1933.¹ He was the son of Mary Neva Edenburn.¹

     Mabel Bradford was born on 18 Sep 1870.¹ She married Edson Baldwin Olds, son of Mark Lafayette Olds and Katharine Sargent, on 3 Oct 1895.¹ Mabel Bradford died on 17 Jul 1932 at age 61² and was buried at Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, District of Columbia.³
     "Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Bradford announce the marriage of their daughter, Mabel, to Mr. Edson Baldwin Olds, Thursday, October 3, Woodside, Md. Mr. Olds is one of the tellers at the Citizens National Bank and has a wide acquaintance in this city."⁴
Mabel Bradford and Edson Baldwin Olds appeared on the census of 31 Jan 1920 at Wheaton, Montgomery County, Maryland, as follows:
     484/495 Olds, Edson B., head, 62, b. Minn., father b. Ohio, mother b. Penn., treasurer, bank
      , Mabel B., wife, 49, b. New York, parents b. Maine
      , Marion B., dau., 21, b. Maryland, father b. Minnesota, mother b. New York
      , Edson B., son, 15, b. Maryland, father b. Minnesota, mother b. New York
      , Bradford S., son, 9, b. Maryland, father b. Minnesota, mother b. New York
      Fennel, Charles, house man, 41, single, b. Maryland, parents b. Maryland, house man, private home.⁵

     Odessa Bradshaw was born on 7 Nov 1881 at Texas.¹ She married Jeremiah Stanley Olds, son of Nelson Horatio Olds and Lavina Martin, c 1904.² Odessa Bradshaw died on 31 Jul 1972 at Riverside County, California, at age 90.¹

     Dorothy Ibera Bragg was born on 4 May 1931 at Duncan, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.² She was the daughter of Elzie Ann Bragg.² Dorothy Ibera Bragg married Sam Earle Oliver Sr. on 24 May 1947.¹ Dorothy Ibera Bragg died at South Carolina.³
     Her obituary states:      "Ibera B. Oliver
"Duncan -- Ibera Bragg Oliver, 75, of 195 W. Main St., died Jan. 2, 1997, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
"A native of Spartanburg County, she was the daughter of the late Ellie Bragg Turner. She was a former employee of Springs Industries.
"Survivors include her husband, Sam F. Oliver Sr; three sons, Sam Oliver, Jr. of Boiling Springs, Randy Oliver of Lyman and Steven W. Oliver of Laurens; one brother, Marion Turner of Lyman; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
"Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 tonight at The Wood Mortuary, Greer.
"Graveside services will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday at Wood Memorial Park conducted by elder Paul Rogers."³

     Elizabeth Bragg was born c 1912 at South Carolina.¹ She was the daughter of Richard Bragg and Mary Hudson.¹

     Elizabeth Ann Bragg married Robert P. Smith.¹ Elizabeth Ann Bragg was born on 25 Aug 1865 at South Carolina.¹ She was the daughter of George W. Bragg and Mary Ann Childress.
     One Elzie Elizabeth Bragg, b. 22 June 1861 [in agreement with the 1870 census], died 23 Oct. 1908, wife of William Perry Craig (1861 - 28 Sep 1891), buried at Antioch Church², is listed on ancestry.com in the Parker Family Tree by Maurica Massey. Her parents are given as George W. Bragg and Mary Polly Ann Childress.³ I have no other confirmation of her identity.
     It is unclear whether the confusion at this point is due to an error by Mrs. Oliver, two marriages by Elizabeth, and/or an attempt by me to combine two different individuals.

     Elmira Jane Bragg married Ben Perry Brown.¹ Elmira Jane Bragg was born on 3 Apr 1864 at South Carolina.¹ She was the daughter of George W. Bragg and Mary Ann Childress. Elmira Jane Bragg died on 16 Sep 1908 at South Carolina at age 44.¹

     Elzie Ann Bragg was born on 16 Aug 1911 at Duncan, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.¹ She was the daughter of William Washington Bragg and Nettie Jane Mary Ann Rodgers. Elzie Ann Bragg married John Earl Turner on 25 Dec 1949 at Duncan, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.^2,3 Elzie Ann Bragg died on 15 Apr 1987 at Spartanburg Hospital, Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, at age 75.⁴ She was buried on 18 Apr 1987 at Duncan First Baptist Church Cemetery, Duncan, Spartanburg, South Carolina.⁴
     ToDo: see marriage report, Spartanburg Journal, 18 Dec 1949, for John Earl Turner and Ellie Mae Bragg. Does it contradict the date 25 Dec 1949 from Ibera Oliver? This is a Sunday issue and I was not yet able to find this report in either the Journal or the Herald. See http://www.spartasc.com/brideb.htm [a site now for sale -- 30 Sep 2020-- but the index is preserved at https://web.archive.org/web/20101201192137/http://spartasc.com/brideb.htm].

     Her obituary states:
"Ellie B. Turner
"DUNCAN -- Ellie Bragg Turner, 75, of West Main Street, widow of John Earl Turner, died Wednesday.
"Native of Spartanburg County; daughter of the late W. W. and Nettie Rodgers Bragg; member of First Baptist Church of Duncan; retired Startex Mill.
"Surviving sons [sic], Marion Turner of Lyman: daughter, Ibera Oliver of Duncan; stepson, Charles Turner of Duncan; stepdaughters, Betty Waters and Mildred Jordan of Duncan; sister, Lavada Fowler of Duncan; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
"Services 11 Saturday at First Baptist Church of Duncan by the Rev. Jim Nelson; burial in church cemetery.
"Pallbearers: Randy, Steve, and Sam Oliver, Jr., Guy Chapman, Kenneth and Ernest Fowler.
"Family will receive friends 7-9 Friday at Wood Mortuary.
"Body in church at 10 Saturday.
"In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the building fund of First Baptist Church of Duncan."⁴