James C. Bower

Male 1906 -


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  James C. Bower was born on 23 Apr 1906 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA (son of John Jacob Bower and Anna Margaret Curtin).

    Notes:

    Residence:
    Address: name missing


Generation: 2

  1. 2.  John Jacob Bower was born on 09 May 1875 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA (son of Calvin M. Bower, Esq and Ellen Elizabeth Meyer); died on 24 Oct 1938 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; was buried on 26 Oct 1938 in Union Cemetery, Bellefonte, Centre County, PA.

    Notes:

    Residence:
    Address: name missing

    Buried:
    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109959865/john-j-bower

    Plot Section 17 Block 4 plot 2-- west side--- lot [150 ]

    John married Anna Margaret Curtin on 15 Aug 1899. Anna was born on 23 Feb 1877 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; died on 28 May 1935 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; was buried on 31 May 1935 in Union Cemetery, Bellefonte, Centre County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 3.  Anna Margaret Curtin was born on 23 Feb 1877 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; died on 28 May 1935 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; was buried on 31 May 1935 in Union Cemetery, Bellefonte, Centre County, PA.

    Notes:

    Buried:
    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109959915/anne-bower

    Plot Section 17 Block 4 plot 2-- west side--- lot [150]

    Children:
    1. Eleanor E. Bower was born on 31 Oct 1900 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; died on 14 Oct 1949 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; was buried on 17 Oct 1949 in Centre County Memorial Park, State College, Centre County, PA.
    2. John J. Bower was born on 05 May 1902 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA.
    3. Margaret I. Bower was born on 18 Mar 1904 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; died on 25 Apr 1989; was buried in Crest Haven Memorial Park, Clifton, Passaic County, NJ.
    4. 1. James C. Bower was born on 23 Apr 1906 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Calvin M. Bower, Esq was born on 20 Apr 1849 in Haines Township, Centre County, PA (son of Jacob Henry Bower and Susanna Maria Motz); died on 26 Apr 1903; was buried in Union Cemetery, Bellefonte, Centre County, PA.

    Other Events:

    • Church: Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; The family are member of the Reformed Church; the prosperous condition of their congregation at Bellefonte is largely due to the zeal and liberality of Mr. Bower and lady.
    • Occupation: Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; Attorney at Law

    Notes:

    Page 59 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
    CALVIN M. BOWER, a prominent lawyer and citizen of Bellefonte, was born in Haines township. Centre county, Penn., April 20, 1849. a son of Jacob Bower, who was a prosperous and well-to-do farmer living near the village of Woodward. The mother was a daughter of Jacob Motz, of Woodward; both parents being members of two of the oldest and most prominent families of that section of the county.
    The subject of this sketch spent his early days as a farmer's boy, working on his father's farm during the summers and attending the public schools during the winter months. In November, 1866, he entered the Aaronsburg Academy to prepare for college. In the following spring he went back to his father's farm, and remained there until the fall of 1867, when he re- turned to the academy and spent the winter at his studies. In the spring of 1863 he again returned to the farm, and remained at work (ex- cept for five months spent in teaching a term of school in the neighborhood) until August, 1870, when he entered Central Pennsylvania College, at New Berlin, Penn. During the time spent on the farm he was a faithful student, making use of his spare time in finishing his preparations for college. He remained at college until October, 1871, when he came to Bellefonte to begin the study of law. He entered the law office of Orvis & Alexander, then one of the most noted law firms in central Pennsylvania. There he pursued his studies with the same zeal that characterized his school work, and in December, 1873, he was admitted to the Bar of Centre county.
    Immediately upon his admission to the Bar he was offered and accepted an interest in the law firm with whom he had been a student, and in January, 1874, he became a member of the firm of Orvis, Alexander & Bower. When Judge Orvis, the senior member of the firm, was appointed to the Bench, the remaining members of the firm continued the practice under the firm name of Alexander & Bower. This partnership continued for a period of eleven years, during which time they were engaged in most of the important cases tried in Centre county. Mr. Bower was soon recognized as a careful and conscientious lawyer, and soon attained an influential position at the Bar. He early acquired a large practice at the Orphans' Court, and was looked upon especially strong in this class of cases. The firm during its existence had a large practice, and taking an active part in the work soon became one of the
    leading lawyers of the county. One of the strongest evidences of Mr. Bower's ability as a lawyer is the fact that when Judge Orvis retired from the Bench he chose him as his law partner. The law firm of Orvis, Bower & Orvis, consisting of Judge Orvis, Mr. Bower, and Ellis L. Orvis. was organized January i, 1885. This partner- ship at once came into prominence, and was recognized as one of the leading law firms of Pennsylvania. Mr. Bower has always taken an active and prominent part in their practice, and his success has placed him prominently among the leading lawyers of the State. For many years he was concerned in the trial of many of the important ejectment cases tried in Centre county, and he is recognized as a well-equipped lawyer in this important branch of the law. The records of the court in the central part of the State show the extent of his practice, and the supreme court reports, for years, attest his prominence at the Bar, showing that he frequently appeared be- fore that tribunal in the leading cases from the the courts to which his practice extended.
    Mr. Bower has always been an uncompromising Democrat, faithfully devoted to the principles of his party. These principles,as laid down by Jefferson, Jackson and Tilden, have always found in him an earnest and faithful supporter. As early as 1875 he was chairman of the Democratic County Committee, and by his untiring work succeeded in effecting an organization that brought out a full party vote, resulting in a majority of 1,500 in the county for the Democratic nominee for governor. He has frequently been a delegate to State Conventions, and in 1880 he was honored with a place on the Electoral ticket. In 1894 he was unanimously nominated by his party for President Judge of the 49th Judicial District, then comprised of the counties of Centre and Huntingdon. In the disastrous cam- paign of that year he was defeated with the rest of the Democratic candidates, but he ran 1,529 votes ahead of his ticket in the district. When Mr. Bower was nominated, one of the Demo-cratic papers in the district said: “ The nomination comes to him without a contest. His eminent position at the Bar in this section of the State makes him the natural candidate of his party, and he is conceded by Democrats and Republicans alike to be the strongest Democratic nominee to be found in the district." In the following year the Democratic County Committee instructed the delegates from Centre county to present Mr. Bower's name before the State Convention for the nomination of Justice of the Superior Court, and passed a resolution instructing the delegates to use all honorable means to secure his nomination. Huntingdon and other counties took similar action, and it soon became evident that there was a strong sentiment in his favor in various sections of the State. His friends made a strong fight for his nomination, and he was only defeated by an unfortunate ruling of the chairman of the Convention, which gave the nomination to Judge Magee, of Pittsburg, by twenty-eight majority.
    Mr. Bower is a prominent and an active member of the Reformed Church. Frequently he has been a delegate to Classis and Synods, and has filled various Other positions with credit to himself and honor to the Church. While he is thoroughly devoted to his Church, he is interested in the cause of religion without regard to denominational lines. He has also been active in Sunday-school work, and is at present district and county chairman of the State Sabbath-school Association. He has also been an active worker in the cause of education. For years he has been a member of the board of trustees of Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Penn., and as a mark of appreciation of his work for the college, and his literary attainments, that institution some years ago conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He owns one of the finest libraries in Bellefonte, and by earnest and careful study he has become as prominent in literary circles as he has in his profession. Judge Orvis, when on the Bench, fittingly recognized Mr. Bower's legal and literary attainments by appointing him a member of the examining committee; and he is in point of service the oldest member of that committee, having been reap- pointed by Judges Hoy, Furst and Love, and is the President of the Board.
    Mrs. Bower is a daughter of John Meyer, of near Rebersburg, and a lady of culture and re- finement. She is particularly noted for her love of plants and flowers, and the home of the family on the e.xtreme eastern end of Linn street is one of the finest in Bellefonte. The grounds surrounding the house are one mass of vines and flowers, all under the immediate care of Mrs. Bower. The only child, John Jacob Bower, is a student of Franklin and Marshall College, a member of the class of 1898.
    Socially, Mr. Bower is of a retiring disposition, absorbed in his books and his profession; yet he has acquired a large circle of acquaintances, and formed strong friendships. He is a representa- tive of one of the oldest families in Centre county, and his ancestors on both sides were some of the earliest settlers in the eastern end of Penn's Valley. Many of the Bowers and Motzes still re- side in that section of the county, and some of them own and occupy the lands where their ancestors settled about the time of the Revolutionary war, the title thereto not having passed out of the family name in which it was originally acquired.

    Jacob Bower, the great-grandfather of Calvin M , and the son of John and Catherine Bower, came into what is now Haines township from Hanover township, York county, in 1776. He married Christena Nease, daughter of Philip Nease. John Motz, the great-grandfather of Mr. Bower on his mother's side, came to the site of Woodward from Penn township, in what is now Snyder county, in 1786. He bought land under date of April 29, 1785, and is credited with being the first settler on the town site named. Shortly after locating, he built a mill, and in a small scale manufactured soda. He was highly educated, a sculptor by profession, and had to leave the Fatherland in consequence of his devotion to the cause of liberty. At his death he left quite a valuable collection of books on Church history, astronomy, etc. His wife's maiden name was Mary Whitmer.

    Buried:
    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109959983/calvin-m-bower

    Plot Section 17 Block 4 plot 2-- east side

    Calvin married Ellen Elizabeth Meyer on 08 Jun 1874. Ellen (daughter of John Meyer and Mary Klose) was born on 26 Feb 1851 in Haines Township, Centre County, PA; died on 28 Jan 1932 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; was buried in Union Cemetery, Bellefonte, Centre County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 5.  Ellen Elizabeth Meyer was born on 26 Feb 1851 in Haines Township, Centre County, PA (daughter of John Meyer and Mary Klose); died on 28 Jan 1932 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; was buried in Union Cemetery, Bellefonte, Centre County, PA.

    Other Events:

    • Church: Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; The family are member of the Reformed Church; the prosperous condition of their congregation at Bellefonte is largely due to the zeal and liberality of Mr. Bower and lady.

    Notes:

    Birth:
    Ellen E. was born Feb. 26, 1857

    Buried:
    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109960055/ellen-elizabeth-bower

    Plot Section 17 Block 4 plot 2-- east side

    Children:
    1. 2. John Jacob Bower was born on 09 May 1875 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; died on 24 Oct 1938 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; was buried on 26 Oct 1938 in Union Cemetery, Bellefonte, Centre County, PA.


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  Jacob Henry Bower was born on 13 Jun 1821 in Aaronsburg, Centre County, PA; died on 1 May 1889 in Centre County, PA; was buried in Stover Cemetery, Aaronsburg, Centre County, PA.

    Notes:

    Jacob married twice. After the death of Susannah (the mother of Calvin), he married Christina Stover. They had at least six other children. Jacob and Christina are buried beside each other at the Stover Cemetery.

    Buried:
    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30572798/jacob-henry-bower

    Jacob married Susanna Maria Motz. Susanna was born on 3 Feb 1827 in Pennsylvania; died on 15 Oct 1850; was buried in Stover Cemetery, Aaronsburg, Centre County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 9.  Susanna Maria Motz was born on 3 Feb 1827 in Pennsylvania; died on 15 Oct 1850; was buried in Stover Cemetery, Aaronsburg, Centre County, PA.

    Notes:

    Buried:
    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22369067/susanna-maria-bauer

    Photograph of tombstone on Find a Grave is difficult to read but says at least in part - wife of Jacob Bauer [Bower].

    Children:
    1. 4. Calvin M. Bower, Esq was born on 20 Apr 1849 in Haines Township, Centre County, PA; died on 26 Apr 1903; was buried in Union Cemetery, Bellefonte, Centre County, PA.

  3. 10.  John MeyerJohn Meyer was born on 30 Dec 1806 in Campbelltown, Lebanon County, PA (son of George Meyer and Catharine Meyer); died on 28 Jan 1878 in Aaronsburg, Centre County, PA; was buried in Aaronsburg Reformed Cemetery, Aaronsburg, Centre County, PA.

    Other Events:

    • Church: Old German Reformed
    • Occupation: farmer and miller

    Notes:

    From Genealogy of The Morr Family, Julia Morr and her Descendants - chapter IX.
    John (Catherine, Julia, Andrew,) was born December 30, 1806; died at Aaronsburg, Pa., January 28, 1878. He was married to Mary Klose. She was born in Penn's township, Northumberland county, Pa., April 23, 1810; died at the Meyer home- stead near Rebersburg, Pa., May 26, 1865. Mr. Meyer is buried in Reformed Cemetery at Aaronsburg; Mrs. Meyer in the Lutheran and Reformed Cemetery, Rebersburg. For many years Mr. Meyer lived on a farm about one mile west of Rebersburg, near Meyer's mill, thence he returned to Aaronsburg, where he lived until his death. He was a man rather below the medium height, of a very kindly, amiable disposition, and had not an enemy in the world. He was honest and industrious, and his word was as good as a note with "approved security." Issue seven: Sarah, Joseph, David, Malinda, Mary, George, and Ellen.

    from The Genealogy of the Meyer Family by Henry Meyer, 1890.
    John (George, Christopher, Gr. Meyer), was born Dec. 30, 1806; was married to Mary Klose, a sister of Rachel Klose, wife of Michel Meyer, Freeburg. See page 114. John lived for many years on a farm west of Rebersburg, Pa., about a mile, near Meyer's Mill, thence he returned to Aaronsburg, Pennsvalley, Pa., where he died Jan. 28, 1878. He was a man rather below the medium height; he was of a very kindly, amiable disposition and had not an enemy in the world. He was honest and industrious, and his word was as good as a note with "approved security." His wife Mary was born April 23, 1810; died at their homestead near Rebersburg, Pa., May 26, 1865, and is buried in the Lutheran and Reformed cemetery of the latter place. John lies buried in Reformed cemetery at Aaronsburg. (We found her headstone in Aaronsburg - Edna)



    Buried:
    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62090582/john-meyer

    John married Mary Klose. Mary was born on 23 Apr 1810 in Freeburg, Snyder County, PA; died on 26 May 1865 in Rebersburg, Centre County, PA; was buried in Aaronsburg Reformed Cemetery, Aaronsburg, Centre County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 11.  Mary KloseMary Klose was born on 23 Apr 1810 in Freeburg, Snyder County, PA; died on 26 May 1865 in Rebersburg, Centre County, PA; was buried in Aaronsburg Reformed Cemetery, Aaronsburg, Centre County, PA.
    Children:
    1. Sarah J. Meyer was born on 25 Dec 1838 in Coburn, Centre County, PA; died on 02 Mar 1900 in Aaronsburg, Centre County, PA; was buried in Aaronsburg Reformed Cemetery, Aaronsburg, Centre County, PA.
    2. Joseph Klose Moyer was born on 25 Mar 1840 in Coburn, Centre County, PA; died on 10 Mar 1910 in Rebersburg, Centre County, PA; was buried in Saint Peters Lutheran and Reformed Cemetery, Rebersburg, Centre County, PA.
    3. David John Meyer was born on 23 Feb 1843 in Coburn, Centre County, PA; died on 24 Jun 1923 in Centre Hall, Centre County, PA; was buried on 26 Jun 1923 in Reformed and Lutheran Cemetery, Centre Hall, Centre County, PA.
    4. Melinda Meyer was born on 09 Mar 1845 in Coburn, Centre County, PA; died on 27 Feb 1919 in Williamsport, Lycoming County, PA; was buried in Wildwood Cemetery, Williamsport, Lycoming County, PA.
    5. Mary A. Meyer was born on 11 Feb 1847 in Coburn, Centre County, PA; died on 09 Feb 1922 in Stockton, San Joaquin County, CA.
    6. Levi George Meyer was born on 18 Jul 1849 in Coburn, Centre County, PA; died on 02 Feb 1890 in Pardoe, Mercer County, PA; was buried in Mercer Citizens Cemetery, Mercer, Mercer County, PA.
    7. 5. Ellen Elizabeth Meyer was born on 26 Feb 1851 in Haines Township, Centre County, PA; died on 28 Jan 1932 in Bellefonte, Centre County, PA; was buried in Union Cemetery, Bellefonte, Centre County, PA.