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Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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C. D. W. BOWER. This name will be at once recognized by our readers as that of a prominent business man of Catasauqua and a member of a family long represented in Pennsylvania. Full information concerning his parentage and ancestral history may be gleaned from the biographical sketch of his father, Hon. George Bower, presented on another page of this volume.

The next to the eldest in a family of ten children, the subject of this sketch was born in Lehighton, Carbon County, Pa., January 17, 1856. Brought by his parents to Catasauqua at the age of three years, he was reared to manhood in this place, and has here made his permanent home. After graduating from the high school in 1873, he was appenticed to learn the butcher’s trade under the tutelage of his father. He soon gained a thorough knowledge of the details of the business, and in 1878 purchased the shop of his father. At that time they had no markets in the city, the meat being delivered by wagons from the slaughter-house.

An arrangement so inconvenient as this could not be continued permanently, and it was not long before Mr. Bower, with the energy which is one of his chief characteristics, established two markets in the city. In 1887 he opened the market at No. 129 Bridge Street, and three years later embarked in the same business at No. 209 Front Street. These enterprises are conducted in a systematic manner, that commends itself to the general public and proves remunerative to the proprietor. He also runs four wagons out from Catasauqua, selling meats in the country. The slaughter-house, on the corner of Canal and Mulberry Streets, was burned down August 2, 1893, but was rebuilt immediately on the same site.

In the conduct of his business Mr. Bower introduces the most modern and approved methods. He gives his personal supervision to the purchase of stock, and has in connection with his market a cold-storage house with a large capacity. He manufactures sausage, packs pork and beef for his own use, and renders tallow by steam, all the cooking being done in the same way. His business is by far the most extensive in Catasauqua, and requires the assistance of several employes. In addition to this enterprise he is a Director of the Bower Slate and Pencil Quarry Company, of which his father is President.

At Catasauqua, September 30, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bower to Miss Elizabeth Bradley, who was born in Scotland, but was reared in the family of Mr. and Mrs. George Bower. Four children have been born of this union: Charles Alexander; Helen A., who died at the age of one year; Leonard G. and Ruth E. Socially Mr. Bower is a Knight Templar Mason and is Past Master of his lodge, also a member of Allen Commandery and the Mystic Shrine at Philadelphia. The Knights of Honor number him among their members. In 1876 he joined the Phoenix Fire Company, of which he was formerly Assistant Director and is now a member. Politically he is a Democrat In religious belief he is identified with Holy Trinity English-Lutheran Church, of which he is a Trustee.

Mr. Bower’s career in life marks him as a forcible, energetic man, shrewd and far-seeing, and one who understands well how to conduct his business to the best advantage. These traits have placed him among the solid men of Catasauqua and Lehigh County. He is well endowed mentally and physically, is a man of commanding appearance, and possesses a ready wit and good conversational ability. Iu manners he is genial and frank, and his pleasant personality has gained him many warm friends among an extensive acquaintance throughout the county.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Lehigh County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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