My Genealogy Hound

HON. GEORGE BOWER, President of the Bower Slate and Pencil Quarry Company, is widely known as one of Catasauqua’s most successful business men. He is a native of the Keystone State, having been born in Lehighton, on the 3d of December, 1832. The family of which he is a member originated in the Fatherland, where his father, C. G., was born and reared. Not content to remain in that country when America was opening its doors to the young and ambitious of other lands, he crossed the Atlantic at the age of eighteen years and, coming to Pennsylvania, settled at Kerns, now Slatington. Here for a time he worked at the harness-maker’s trade, which he had learned in the Fatherland.

Removing to Berlinsville, Northampton County, C. G. Bower there worked as a harness-maker until the spring of 1832, when he settled in Lehighton (then in Northampton County, but after 1843 in Carbon County). Opening a shop, he engaged in the manufacture and sale of harness, meeting with fair success as a business man. His property included two farms and a number of town lots. His death occurred in Lehighton in 1861, and was the result of an accident, being caused by a runaway horse. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party, while in religion he accepted the faith of, his forefathers and worshiped with the Lutherans.

The mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Wentz) Bower, was born in Berlinsville, Pa., and is now living in Lehighton, active and in fair health, notwithstanding her ninety and two years. She is the daughter of George Wentz, a native of Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, who for some time lived retired in Carbon County, and there died. He was the son of a German, who emigrated to the United States and settled in Lehigh County, where he became an agriculturist. C. G. and Elizabeth Bower had eleven children, of whom eight attained years of maturity and seven are now living. Elwen is engaged in the mercantile business at East Mauch Chunk. Nelson, who removed to Wisconsin in 1852, became the owner of lead mines there, and also attained prominence as a civic official. For a time he was County Treasurer, and was serving as Sheriff of LaFayette County at the time our subject filled a similar office in Lehigh County. Franklin, who was a soldier in the late war, was also Sheriff of Lehigh County.

Referring more directly to the personal history of the subject of this notice, we find that he was in boyhood a pupil in the public schools of Lehighton, and later attended Binghamton (N. Y.) College. When eighteen he commenced to teach school in Lehigh County, and was Principal of the schools at Mosserville, Saegersville and Schnecksville for four years altogether, after which he spent one year in the schools of Weissport, Carbon County. In 1858 he discontinued his labors in the schoolroom and, coming to Catasauqua, embarked in the meat business. For twenty-five years he owned and carried on the shop on Front Street, but when elected Sheriff he turned the business over to his two sons, who have since conducted it with marked success. While thus engaged he also dealt in live stock and real estate, and his speculations in these lines proved quite profitable.

As a member of the Democratic party, Mr. Bower has gained and still wields considerable influence throughout the county. Offices of trust and honor have been conferred upon him. In the fall of 1880 he was elected Sheriff by a majority of twenty-two hundred and forty-eight. Leaving his family in Catasauqua, he went to the county seat and on the first Monday in January, 1881, assumed the duties of the office. His term was a success, and when, in January, 1884, he retired from office, it was with the good-will of all public-spirited citizens, irrespective of political ties. For two years he was Treasurer of the County Democratic Central Committee, and for one term held the office of Burgess of Catasauqua. In every position he has occupied he has displayed good judgment in the discharge of his duties, as well as force of character, a well balanced mind and unflinching integrity. During his service of nine years as a member of the City Council he was a prominent factor in the promotion of progressive measures, and also advanced the standard of education during his three years’ service as School Director.

On the 9th of December, 1892, the Bower Slate and Pencil Quarry Company was incorporated with a capital of $125,000, and the following officers: George Bower, President and general manager; and James F. Johnston, of New York, Secretary and Treasurer. The company owns and operates a quarry at Lynnport, this county, which is the only quarry in the United States that manufactures slate pencils. The main office of the company is located at Nos. 7 and 9 Thomas Street, New York. Employment is given to fifty or sixty men, and in addition to slate pencils, blackboard and roof slating are also manufactured. The quarries cover ten acres and are situated at Lynnport, fourteen miles west of Slatington, on the Reading & Slatington Railroad. The factory is 50x80 feet in dimensions, with an engine-room 30x45, containing two engines of fifty horse-power each. The industry is one of value to the county, facilitating the development of its material resources and increasing its importance as a manufacturing center. It is mainly through the ingenuity and excellent judgment of Mr. Bower that the company has been established on a sound financial basis and has attained a place among the foremost firms in the state.

At Lehighton, in 1851, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bower and Miss Amelia D. Clauss. Mrs. Bower was born in Fogelsville, Lehigh County, and is the daughter of Daniel Clauss, an old settler of this locality. Of ten children resulting from the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bower, nine attained years of maturity. C. D. W., of whom more extended mention is made on another page, is engaged in the meat-market business at Catasauqua; Elmira E., the wife of B. B. Linn, resides in Catasauqua; George W. is with the Crocker-Wheeler Electrical Company, of New York City; Emma A. is at home; Minnie M. is married to J. D. Tillman, of New Jersey; F. S. is his father’s assistant in the Lynnport quarries; Laura E. is married to T. M. Jenkins and lives in Catasauqua; and Annie M. and John M. are with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bower also reared an orphan child, Lizzie, who is now the wife of C. D. W. Bower.

Of the first fire company at Catasauqua Mr. Bower served as chairman, during which time the town hall was built and the first fire engine brought here. Socially he is identified, with Allen Chapter No. 203, and Allen Commandery No. 20, F. & A. M. Formerly be was prominently connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Holy Trinity, was its first Elder, and was influential in the erection of the new edifice. For some time he was the Superintendent of its Sunday-school.