William A. Bowers
William A. Bowers, a substantial resident of section 31, German township, was born in the neighboring township of Amanda, on January 14, 1862. His parents William and Rebecca (Barnt) Bowers, were well-known in Allen County, both of them having come here with their parents when they were children of eight years. The father was from Fayette County and was a son of Solomon Bowers. The mother came from Fairfield County. The family consisted of two sons and nine daughters, namely: Charles Wesley, a farmer residing in Amanda township; William A.; Hannah Jane, who married Nathaniel Stoup and is the mother of two children; Sarah Elizabeth, who married David Hillyard and died leaving seven children; Deborah Ann, who married Levi Crites, of Kemton, and is the mother of two children; Mary Catherine, who married Franklin P. Shobe, of Amanda township and has six children; Rebecca Angeline, wife of John Swartz, of Amanda township and the mother of two children; Martha, who died in infancy; Curlila, who married Abia Car, of Amanda township and has eight Children; Eliza who died at the age of five years; and Emma Sabina who married James Stalter of Muncie, Indiana, and has four children.
William A. Bowers was reared and educated in his native township, where he engaged in farming for several years. He owned 104 acres of land situated in section 31 German township, and section 36, Amanda township. He lived on his farm until 1901, when he moved to Lima and purchased the Botkins livery stable, which he conducted in partnership with Jacob Shobe. Later he sold his interest in the business to his partner and purchased the Fisher livery barn, which he ran for about 18 months. This was then sold and Mr. Bowers moved back to the farm. He purchased a farm in Wyandot County, which he traded for the Lima truck line, moving to Lima to take charge of the business. After operating it for 75 days he sold it to John Harley, and again returned to his farm in the spring of 1905. The following October he purchased the Shobe farm, which contains 65 acres, thus giving him 90 acres in one tract. Mr. Bowers was married October 4, 1883, to Nona B. Highland, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Berry) (McDonald) Highland, of Allentown.
Joseph Highland was born March 7, 1837, and died December 26, 1891. His wife was a daughter of David and Elizabeth (McIntyre) Berry, who came from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, stopping a short time in Clark County and then locating in Allen County, when Mrs. Highland was about eight years of age. Mrs. Highland was born November 27, 1832, and was twice married, her first husband being William Wesley McDonald. Mrs. Bowers has one sister, Ida Herring, and a brother, Marion, who died at the age of five years. Mr. Bowers has three children, Verne Lester, born August 16, 1887, who is a student at Elida; Myrtle Leona, born April 21, 1894; and Zelma Irene, born September 28, 1897. Mr. Bowers is a trustee of the Christian Church in Amanda Township, of which he is a member.