Yolo-El Dorado County CA Archives Biographies.....Bower, John Gusler 1849 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com January 13, 2006, 11:41 pm Author: Tom Gregory (1913) JOHN GUSLER BOWER The tendency of the people to drift toward the west and the resultant increase in prosperity and population of the vast regions beyond the mountains find exemplification in the family history of the German race represented by the gentleman above named. Induced by alluring tales concerning life in the new world, William Bower bade farewell to the friends of his boyhood in Germany and crossed the ocean to New York, thence proceeding to Pennsylvania and there selecting a suitable location. A home was established in the Keystone state and among the children born there was a son, John G., father of the gentleman whose name introduces this article and himself a pioneer of the vast west. Later the home was transferred to the newer country of Ohio. From that state John G., Sr., went to Illinois in young manhood and identified himself with the pioneers on the then frontier of Pike county. At that time he was a rugged young man, stalwart of frame and industrious in disposition, without home ties to bind him to the east, the type indeed of the class of men qualified for pioneer work. While making his home in Pike county Mr. Bower was united in marriage with Miss Susan Crowder, a native of Tennessee and member of a family of colonial prominence in the south. Her father, Philip Crowder, was born in North Carolina in 1778 and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Robins, was a native of Rutherford county, S. C. The young couple settled in Pike county and three children were born to them during the period of their residence in that state, one of the sons being John G., Jr., whose birth occurred June 3, 1849. During that same year, memorable in the history of California, the father came hither on a prospecting tour, having crossed the plains with a large expedition. His first location was in Trinity county and for a time he successfully mined in the Cow creek country. Returning via the Panama route in 1851, Mr. Bower made preparations to remove to the coast with his family. During the spring of 1852 he and his wife and children, in a wagon drawn by oxen, joined a large train of emigrants and crossed the plains in safety. August 23, 1852, they arrived at a point known as Hangtown (now Placerville), but in the same year came to Yolo county and purchased three hundred and twenty acres now owned by the pioneer's namesake. Step by step the land was brought under cultivation. Little by little improvements were made that added to the value of the property and to its convenience as a place of residence. After a busy, useful life, the father passed away at the old homestead July 11, 1894, and here occurred the death of the mother, December 23, 1902. Both were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and regular contributors to charitable movements as well as missionary enterprises. Of their three sons, Philip M. died May 1, 1864. The eldest, James W., is a substantial farmer and stockraiser at Turlock, and the youngest, John G., Jr., owns the old homestead, having purchased his brother's interest therein. Primarily educated in the country schools of Yolo county, John G. Bower, Jr., later attended the Pacific Methodist College at Vacaville for some years, but at the beginning of his junior year he returned home and with his brother took charge of the farm. Later he became the sole owner of the property, since which time he has remodeled the residence, put up a substantial barn, built a thorough system of fencing and planted trees for shade and ornament, making of the place one of the most tasteful and attractive in the locality. One of the most important accessories of the place is a well of never-failing water, clear and pure. The chief products of the farm were alfalfa and grain. Stockraising also brought in a neat annual income. Skilled management on the part of the owner made the land productive and a very profitable investment. Mr. Bower has raised alfalfa successfully without irrigation. At the present time the entire ranch is utilized for producing sugar beets, and is all under irrigation. Idylwild ranch is one of the most productive in the vicinity of Woodland, and it is dotted with large native oaks, their branches spreading over large areas. At Woodland, April 7, 1875, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bower to Miss Alice Friel, a native of Yolo county, where since their union they have lived uninterruptedly upon the same farm. Both are earnest members of the Woodland Christian Church and have aided generously the charities and missionary movements fostered by that congregation. Mrs. Bower is a daughter of Jeremiah Friel, born in Virginia, who was a pioneer of 1849, crossing the plains. He returned to the east after a short time, but in December, 1852, removed permanently to the west and settled near Woodland, Yolo county. His wife was Minerva Severe Kirkpatrick, who was born in Tennessee, a descendant of the Kirkpatricks of Scotland. In 1875 the Friel family moved to Lompoc. Mr. Friel became deputy sheriff of Santa Barbara and died in December, 1881. The mother died in Los Angeles in 1904. Mrs. Bower completed her educational training at the Young Ladies' Seminary at Benicia. In national elections Mr. Bower votes with the Democratic party, but in local matters he supports the men he deems best adapted to office regardless of their party affiliations. Many years ago he was made a Mason in Yolo Lodge No. 81, F. & A. M., in which he has passed through the chairs and at this writing acts as past master. On two occasions he represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the state. From early childhood he has been a resident of Yolo county and meanwhile he has witnessed the building of the railroads, the development of the land and the establishment of thriving villages. With everything contributory to the progress of the region he has been identified. The prosperity of the people is a source of deep interest to him and he neglects no opportunity to promote projects, for the general welfare. Additional Comments: Extracted from HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH Biographical Sketches OF The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY TOM GREGORY AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/bios/bower348bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/ File size: 7.0 Kb