Alvin J. Sowers (1893-1937)

SOWERS, SHERWOOD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/31/2024 at 20:18:26

From Story City Herald November 25, 1937 (page 4)

ALVIN J. SOWERS

Alvin J. Sowers, son of Albert and Maria E. Sowers, was born on the Sowers homestead, a mile north of Story City, on July 12th, 1893, and was transferred to the heavenly home on the 13th day of November, 1937. Thus his age was 44 years and four months. He was a normal healthy boy until May 1-, 1902 when as a lad of nine years, he was stricken with infantile paralysis. In spite of skilled doctors and loving care he was unable to walk since this time. This deprived him of much that life has to offer to such who have the full use of their limbs.

Despite his handicaps, however, he was very ambitious and early in life laid a splendid foundation for a successful career. Being unable to attend the public school, he with the aid of his parents and the sympathetic cooperation of the rural school teachers and the county superintendent, acquired his elementary education and was graduated with a diploma from the eighth grade. In course of time and as his physical condition would permit, he continued his education by taking several commercial courses, which aided him for his chosen work.

He was a great lover of flowers and, altho not strong, he began early to assist in the culture of the flowers at his home, from which he derived great pleasure and this later became the basis for the business he chose. Many friendly neighbors passed while he was working in his garden and expressed words of cheer which was a great encouragement to him and this did much for his future success.

He was happily married to Miss Sadie Irene Sherwood on the 12th day of May, 1925, at which time they established their home in Story City. To them was born one daughter two years ago. His words of wise counsel and his devotion to his companion and baby daughter and also to his widowed mother, his sister and the three brothers will always be a cherished memory.

Altho he began his business in a very modest way at about the time of his marriage 12 years ago, he thru his careful management, developed it until it became an enterprise of considerable proportions. He was truly appreciated and admired by all who learned to know him, for he proved himself to be a man of good judgment and he was very trustworthy. His kindly disposition made for him many warm friends.

He was a faithful member of the Grace Evangelical church and also a member of the Big Brother Sunday school class, in which he was vitally interested and regular in attendance. While he was a successful business man he did not neglect the higher and nobler aspects of life, which are of infinitely greater importance than commerce and which make for life eternal. Not only will his home and his loved ones miss his presence, but the church and community will be very conscious of his absence.

He is survived by his wife and little daughter; his aged widowed mother; one sister, Mrs. Grace Anderson; three brothers, Earl L. Sowers of St. James, Minn., Wilbur Sowers and Clarence Sowers of Story City, besides many other relatives and a host of friends.

An over-flow crowd attended the funeral services, which were held Wednesday, Nov. 17 from the home and from Grace church, Rev. G. I. Bergemean officiating. A quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Olson, George Sowers and Mrs. Horace Smith rendered a selection and a solo was sung by George Soers, Mrs. R. A. Sweet accompanying at the piano. Interment was made at Fairview cemetery. Pall bearers were Lewis Jorgenson of Boone, P. C. Dunhowe, Will Peterson, Vere Bielefeldt, -. -. ----ine and T. Z. Henryson. His employees and former employees ---ed as honorary pall bearers.

Those from a distance in attendance at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Earl Sowers and Joe Wilth of St. James, Minn., Frank Stewart of LuVerne, Mrs. Ellen Scott of Jefferson, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Mahoney and Harvey of Austin, Minn., C. L. Johnson of Algona, Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Sherwood and William Sherwood of Elk City, Neb., Helen Sherwood of Grand Island, Neb., Mrs. Mary Secrest of Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. -ale Halverson of Hardy, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Halverson, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Harland, Mr. and Mrs. Ray ---- and Mrs. Elmer Harvey, all of Fort Dodge, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Halverson of Jewell, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Boyse, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Carey, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. R. Sowers and Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Hughes of Nevada, Mrs. Eva Rasmussen and Delbert of Ames, Mr. and Mrs. Orrie Henderson of Farnhamville, H. V. Harden of Des Moines, Harland MacMillan of Mason City, besides many friends from surrounding towns.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: This obit was very difficult to read and some the words and spellings are best guess.