BIO: JOHN MOWERS, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 359-360
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
    JOHN MOWERS, a master blacksmith now living retired at his home in
  Shippensburg, Cumberland county, was born on the old Mowers homestead in
  Southampton township, Sept. 27, 1829, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Cope)
  Mowers. 
    
    Henry Mowers was born on the same farm as his son, Oct. 1, 1803, son of
  George Mowers. In time he inherited the homestead, and having been trained in
  his youth to farm work, made it his life occupation, becoming very well-to-do.
  He was one of the most intelligent men in the township, and kept himself
  thoroughly posted on public matters. A kind and helpful friend and neighbor,
  as well as an upright citizen, he was highly respected, and widely known.
    
    360  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
    
  He died in 1896, in his ninety-fourth year, his mind remaining clear and
  bright almost to the end. His religious connection was with the United
  Brethren Church. He married Elizabeth Cope, who was born near Leesburg,
  Cumberland county, in 1808, daughter of Peter A. (an old resident of
  Cumberland county, and one of the charter members of the Reformed Church) and
  Mary Ann Cope. She died in 1884, the mother of twelve children, eight of whom
  lived to maturity: Mary A., deceased; John; Peter A., an ex-soldier of the
  Civil war; Isaiah, deceased; Samuel, deceased; William; George; Miss
  Elizabeth; Daniel, who died in his twelfth year; Joseph, a druggist in
  Shippensburg; and two that died in infancy.
    
    John Mowers passed his boyhood and youth upon the home farm. Until he was
  sixteen he attended school, during the winter months, at the old Croft
  schoolhouse in Cleversburg. He was then apprenticed to learn the trade of
  blacksmith with Mr. Leidich, of Shippensburg, with whom he remained two
  years; and later he finished his trade under John Guthrie. Determining to
  start in business on his own account, he formed a partnership with Henry
  Wolf, and under the firm name of Mowers & Wolf, they at once entered upon a
  prosperous career as general blacksmiths and repairers. For twenty-two years
  this partnership was continued to the great satisfaction and success of both
  members of the firm, and then in 1902, it was dissolved by mutual consent,
  Mr. Mowers then retiring to look after his general business interests. The
  shop was rented, and new faces greeted the customers, who had so long been
  accustomed to find the genial partners at the forge and anvil.
    
    Mr. Mowers is a believer in the principles of the Republican party, and has
  beenactive in public affairs. For eight years he was a member of the city
  council. He has always been honest in all his dealings, and although he began
  life with small means, his energy, economy and good management have won him a
  competence to make comfortable his declining years.
    
    On Feb. 5, 1852, Mr. Mowers was married to Martha M. Jacoby, born in
  Cumberland county, Feb. 19, 1832, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth
  (Burkholder) Jacoby. She died in Shippensburg April 10, 1902. Eleven children
  blessed this union, four of whom grew to maturity: Elizabeth Jane, deceased;
  Laura Belle, who married David Mann, of Carlisle, and has three children,
  Flora B., C. Kimmel and John; Minnie F., deceased; and Martha M., wife of H.
  G. Zentmeyer, a skilled mechanic and prominent citizen, now deceased.