Montgomery-Cheatham-Robertson County TN Archives Biographies.....Gower, John R. 1844 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com October 30, 2005, 3:49 am

Author: Will T. Hale

   JOHN R. GOWER. Of a strong individuality that is in keeping with an

aristocratic lineage is the family represented by John R. Grower of Montgomery

county. His British ancestors included the Earl of Gower, whose coat of arms is

still in possession of the Tennessee Gowers. They occupied a residence in

Scotland for some time before coming to America. Certain members of this family

came to Nashville, where they lived at the old fort there located. Suggestive of

historic Scotch dissenters is the spirit that characterized Wilson Gower, that

notable Tennessee preacher who was one of the first to separate himself from the

ruler-ship of the Missionary Baptist church and thus to become one of the

founders of the Freewill Baptist church. He married Lucinda Page of Cheatham

county and they were the parents of James Wilson Gower (1820-1885), who followed

his father's footsteps in religious ministry, also combining with that vocation

some of the activities of the agriculturist. James Wilson Gower was a Democrat

in polities and a Mason of the Royal Arch Chapter. He married Amelia Head

(1819-1902), a daughter of Fannie Head, of Robinson county. They became the

parents of the following ten sons and daughters: Wilson Gower; John R. Gower,

the special subject of this sketch; Carrol Gower, who died while still young;

George F. Gower, of Robertson county; Amelia, now Mrs. William Elliott; Lucinda,

deceased; R. R. Gower, of Robertson county; Adeline, who is Mrs. Larence, widow

of George Larence; and Tennessee Gower, of Robertson county.



   John Robert Gower, the subject of this brief review, first saw the light of

day in Cheatham county, Tennessee, on August 27, 1844. He gained his early

education in the public schools of Robinson county and while yet a youth entered

upon the occupation of a farmer. That work he has continued throughout his life,

combining it for considerable time with dealing in loose leaf tobacco, in which

he conducted quite extensive operations. On his retirement from the tobacco

business he purchased a farm of three hundred and seventy acres near Port Royal.

Aside from his landed property Mr. Gower is connected with the Bank of Adams as

vice president. This bank is capitalized at $20,000, with a surplus of $5,000

and an average deposit of $60,000.



   The companion of Mr. Gower's busy life has been Martha Woodruff Gower, to

whom he was married in 1863. She was a daughter of Matthew and Betsey

Woodruff/early settlers in Tennessee, whence they had come from North Carolina.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gower and have been reared to the

years and independent estate of maturity. James Gower, the eldest, is a farmer

of Montgomery county. Mary, the first daughter, is Mrs. H. B. Elliott, of

Montgomery county. Charles M. Gower is a physician, located at Trenton,

Kentucky. Lizzie Gower became Mrs. Charles Lockhardt of Trenton, where she now

resides in her widowhood. John M. Gower, who was engaged in business with his

father, now follows farming. Miss Corinne Gower is the wife of Ossian Glasscock

of Trenton, Kentucky.



   The religious associations of John R. Gower and his wife and family are with

the Freewill Baptist church, Mr. Gower acting as clerk of the local organization

of that body. His political theories and activities are Democratic and his

fraternal affiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his

family occupy an important place in their community.



Additional Comments:
From:



A history of Tennessee and Tennesseans : the leaders and representative men in

commerce, industry and modern activities

by Will T. Hale

Chicago:  Lewis Pub. Co.,  1913



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