Biography of Percival R. Bowers, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, FL

File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  Nancy Rayburn (naev@earthlink.net).

USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for 
profit or publication by any other organization or persons.  Persons or organizations 
desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the 
legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof 
of this consent.  The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the 
file permanently for free access.

Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

******************************************************************************************

Transcribed from:  The History of Florida:  Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. 
II, page 198, 1923.

BOWERS, PERCIVAL R.  With a well established reputation as a civil engineer whose experience 
had been gained in connection with some of the notable constructive enterprise of the New 
York Metropolitan District, PERCIVAL R. BOWERS came to Florida eight years ago, and has since 
continued his profession, with home at West Palm Beach.  He has been an engineer in connection 
with a number of projects on the South Coast, and had socially identified himself with the 
civic and social affairs of West Palm Beach.

He was born at Nashua, New Hampshire, in 1874, son of ALLEN A.  and MARY (RICHARDS) BOWERS.  
He acquired the liberal education of a real New Englander, attending the public schools of 
Boston and Summerville, Massachusetts, and finishing his technical course in the Lawrence 
Scientific School of Harvard University.  For a quarter of a century he has been engaged 
in engineering work.  Some of his engagements took him out of the United States as far away 
as Labrador and Alaska.  For two years he was an engineer on the construction of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad tunnels under East River in New York.  Another considerable portion of his professional 
experience was in electric railway construction in New England.

Establishing his home at West Palm Beach in 1914. Mr. BOWERS has handled the engineering 
problems involved in the building of sea walls, drainage enterprises, the development of 
sub-divisions, and public works of different kinds.  He is an engineer of genuine ability, 
is a member of the American Association of Engineers and the Florida Engineers' Association, 
and is registered under the State Engineers' Examining Board.

As a citizen he has been called upon to discharge responsible public duties, and for six 
months was a member of the Council of the South Borough of West Palm Beach and in April, 
1922, was elected city commissioner of West Palm Beach, representing the South Borough.  
He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Board of Directors and chairman 
of the road committee of the Palm Beach County Motor Club.

In September, 1895, he married Miss MAUD ETHEL SPALDING of Boston.  She died, leaving one 
daughter, DOROTHY, who is now the widow of A. P. TAYLOR, and is secretary to the Bursar 
of Boston University.  Mr. BOWERS' present wife was ALICE MAUD COOK.  She is a native of 
Leeds, England.  The three children of this marriage are PHYLIS, PHILIP and WINIFRED.