Joseph Henry Bowers (1858 - 1941)

Born 21 Apr 1858 in WV

Ancestors

Husband of Maggie Campbell — married 27 Nov 1889 in Woodlawn, Contra Costa, California, United States

Died 23 Jan 1941 at age 82 in Butte, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Susan Dixon [send private message]

Biography

lived in Oroville, CA

His obituary: (from Max Bowers' notes) "Joseph Henry Bowers, 82, a business man in Oroville for many years and long identified with governmental affairs in Butte County, died at his home, 1250 First Avenue at 3 am today. In poor health for many years, he had been seriously ill since Dec. 27, 1940. Mr. Bowers was born in the section of Virginia which later became West Virginia, near Shepherdstown, April 21, 1858. He was graduated from state normal school in Shepherdstown and for a short time taught school in West Virginia. Came Here In 1891 In 1880 he came to Chico on the suggestion of an uncle, the late John Bowers, pioneer resident of that city. The newcomer became postmaster in Chico serving in 1885, '86 and '87, and was justice of the peace in Chico in 1889 and 1890. He married Miss Maggie Dixie Campbell of Woodland, in that city Nov. 27, 1889. They moved to Oroville Dec. 12, 1891. Here Mr. Bowers bought out Daily and Brown stationery store and news agency on Myers street, which he operated for 30 years, selling out because of ill health. The establishment is now Kelly's stationery store. Later, in 1930, when Mr. Bowers' health improved, he entered the insurance and real estate business, with an office at Montgomery and Downer streets. DEMOCRATIC WORKER He formerly was city treasurer of Oroville. He served as a member of the Oroville elementary school board from 1893 to 1907. For eight years he was a member of the Democratic county central committee in Butte County, and served as chairman for several years. He was a past chancellor of Knights of Phythias lodge in Oroville. Mr. Bowers is survived by his wife, Maggie Dixie Bowers; a daughter, Alta Bowers Criddle of Gridley, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Saturday at Chapel of the Palms, with Rev. Benjamin Gould officiating."

Sources

• typed notes / research by Wm Maxwell Bowers

"West Virginia Births, 1853-1930," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F15X-9F3 : 4 December 2014), Peter Bowers in entry for Henry Bowers, 21 Apr 1858; citing Jefferson, West Virginia, United States, county courthouses, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 829,325.

"California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP31-33L : 26 November 2014), Joseph Henry Bowers, 23 Jan 1941; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.

Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 01 March 2019), memorial page for Joseph Henry Bowers (21 Apr 1858–23 Jan 1941), Find A Grave Memorial no. 92922287, citing Memorial Park Cemetery, Oroville, Butte County, California, USA ; Maintained by Steven R. Goff (contributor 47520734) .