Johnson County, Iowa

People of Johnson County

Nathaniel Bowers

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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