Biography - GEORGE BOWER
The present popular treasurer of Edwards county was born in Albion, January 22d, 1832. His father, George Bower, was a native of Germany, where he was born January 30th, 1788, a potter by trade. He worked some time at his trade in the city of Paris, France, where he located August, 1818, hence acquired the French language, which was spoken in the family. After coming to America on board the Louis from Havre de Grace en route thirty-one days in October, 1826, he located first in New York, thence to Vevay, Switzerland county, Indiana, and from there he was led, through the solicitations of George Flower, to come to Albion, where he prosecuted his trade a number of years. He died, or rather was killed by a fall from a wagon, breaking his neck, September 20th, 1848. His wife, whose maiden name was Catharine Kophfel, was born in Germany July 9th, 1794. To them were born five children in Europe, two of whom died there, and three in this country, eight in all. Mrs. Bower died April 12th, 1858. Mr. George Bower obtained a very fair common-school education. In 1848, then sixteen years of age he went south to work with an older brother, Adam Bower, as gin-wright. Two years after he returned and followed the avocation of carpenter three years, when he associated himself with William B. Tribe in wagon-making, combining therewith the work of blacksmithing and wheelwright. In 1854, he became sole proprietor of the establishment, remaining so until 1867, when he formed a co-partnership with Messrs. Painter and Frankland, which arrangement continued until 1871, since which time he has continued business alone as before. He was married to Mary Frankland, daughter of Robert Frankland, of English birth, November 19th, 1856, by whom he has ten children, six boys and four girls. Mr. Bower is a working member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in politics, and has for many years held positions of profit and trust. His first public office was that of police magistrate, which was followed by his election as county treasurer in 1875, an office he has since continuously held. He takes great interest in educational affairs, which received recognition at the hands of his fellow citizens by his being maintained as member of the board of education. Mr. Bower is a man of enterprise, industry and high social qualities.
Extracted 12 Aug 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 A Combined History of Edwards, Lawrence, and Wabash Counties, Illinois, page 228.
