John Martin Bowers (1845 - 1932)

Born 30 Jan 1845 in Randolph, Portage, Ohio

Descendants

Died 25 Sep 1932 at age 87 in Rushville, Schuyler, Illinois

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Biography

Baptism: 22 Mar 1845, Randolph, Portage County, Ohio, USA. John Bowers accepted money to serve for someone else in the Civil War. There is a story: General Grant came riding into camp one day where John Bowers was. Someone put a cockle burr under the tail of General Grant's horse and the horse bolted. Volunteer Enlistment papers for John M. Bowers born in Butler County Ohio aged 19 and by occupation a Farmer enlisted 2nd February 1865 for one year. He enlisted in Dayton, Ohio had a ruddy complexion was 5' 8", with gray eyes, and auburn hair. Private in the Ohio Cavalry. DAR #590595 code # 5-039 IL His son Lawrence applied for his military pension for John's wife on 27 September 1932. It reports his death on 29 March 1932 due to arterio sclerotic heart. Rushville Times 9-1932 Taps Sound for John Bowers Civil War Veteran. He passed away Sunday morning at his home on Maple Avenue, Rushville, Illinois, after a long illness of several years. He had been a resident of Schuyler County for 65 years, and a member of the Col. Horney´s Post G.A.R.. His passing now leaves only two Rushville Civil War Veterans. Only one of whom, Robert Rippeton, was able to attend the service. The services, conducted by Rev. E.H. Towle were held Tuesday at 2 P.M. at the family home, the ladies of the G.A.R. paid a fitting tribute to the departed with rites of their order. Miss Elizabeth Bell song `` We´re Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground.´´ Members of the Schuyler County Post #4 American Legion attended the Services in a body, acting as escorts to the cemetery, where at the grave, they took charge of the services paying full Military honors to this departed Veteran John Bowers was the son of Martin and Elizabeth Bowers. He was born in Magadore, Ohio on January 30, 1845, and passed away September 26, 1932 at the age of 87 years 7 months and 26 days. He and his brother Gerhart came to Illinois March 5, 1864 and resided with their sister Kate Byrnes of Brown County, until September, 1864 when they enlisted in the Civil War as a recruits in the 45th Illinois Regiment. They marched in the Grand Review of the Republic which was held in Washington DC. After the war he returned to Brown County on December 24, 1866, he married Esther Kinman, also of Brown County, where they resided for a while. Later they moved to Camden Township. To this union 9 children were born, two of whom, Jessie and Kate preceded him in death there remains to mourn him, his wife and 7 children: Mrs Amy Points of Mora, Minnesota, Bertrand B and Claude King of Peoria, Illinois, Martin B of Minnesota, Harvey E of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Lawrence L. of Macomb, Illinois and Ada Ingles of Camden TWP, 34 Grandchildren, 20 Great Grandchildren, besides a host of other relatives and friends. He resided in Camden Township until September 4, 1919 when they came to Rushville where they remained until the Master called him home. He was converted in 1895 and united with the M.E. Church South at the Union Chapel. He lived a devoted Christian, a kind and loving husband and father, and a good neighbor always ready to lend a helping hand. He had a happy disposition and always greeted his friends with a smile. Their close neighbors were the Jessie Kinman Family. John Martin Bowers accepted money to serve for someone else in the Civil War. There is a story: General Grant came riding into camp one day where John Bowers was. Someone put a cockleburr under the tail of General Grant's horse and the horse bolted. Volunteer Enlistment papers for John M. Bowers born in Butler County Ohio aged 19 and by occupation a Farmer enlisted 2nd February 1865 for one year. He enlisted in Dayton, Ohio had a ruddy compexion was 5' 8", with grey eyes, and auburn hair. Private in the Ohio Cavalry. His son Lawrence applied for his military pension for his wife on 27 September 1932. It reports his death on 29 March 1932 due to arterio sclerotic heart. He was baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mogadore, Portage, Ohio but did not belonged to it after his marriage. He is said to have given money to the local Catholic priest on a regular basis which was returned to his wife by the priest: The priest said the family needed it more than the church. His sisters baptism record: Baptism Records for St. Joseph Catholic Church - 2643 Waterloo Road, Mogadore, Ohio 44260. The English translation from Latin by Keith E. Burke. On 22th of March 1845 A.D., I baptized Elisabeth, legitimate daugther of Martin Bauer and Elisabeth Stephan. She was born 30th of January 1845 A.D. Sponsors: George Klein and Elisabeth Jenner. Sales Brunner, Pastor 1872 sale of property of Jesse Kinman and find that great grandfather (John Martin Bowers) bought a high percentage of the farming and household things: old stove, sheep sheers, molasses, rifle, musket, and knife. Other items sold were: rope, keg of vinegar, sack with buckwheat, grind stone, little bells, scythe, corn knife, hog hook, saddle, cupboard, meat barrels, loom, sheep shears, iron kettle, shovel and scoop, aside from a few things most sold for about a dollar. In 1880 Margaret Bowers age 12 was living with the Dunbar family of Joseph 57 and Sarah C. 55 Dunbar; she was born 1868; she was the daugther of Gearhart Bowers and Eliza Jane Dunbar and niece of Joseph Dunbar. Also in the same household Dora 21, Georga 19, Ulyess 15, Homer J 12 Their neighbors were the John Martin Bower 35 family with Estavilla 33, Katie 11, Anne 9, Bertie 5, Martin 4, Harvey 9/12 and Nancy Kinman who was 23 ( born 1857) and sister-in-law of John Martin and his boarder. Missouri, Brown, Illinois 19 Jun 1880.

Sources

• Ada Bowers Fawcett DAR data.