Husband of Susan Zeger.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 509-510 & 513; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
King David Bowers, a well-known farmer of Young Hickory Township, is one of its most public-spirited and enterprising citizens. One of his most prominent characteristics is his thorough loyalty, coupled with a grateful remembrance of the services rendered by the brave boys who gave up home and friends to battle for the Union. Two of his own sons gave up their lives for their country and he himself experienced some of the trials which befell Union men where the majority was against them. The farm of Mr. Bowers consists of eighty-four acres on section 10 and eighty acres on section 9, watered by Swigle Creek, and having the practically inexhaustible soil of the bottom lands.
Mr. Bowers was born in Franklin County, Pa., near Waynesboro, September 25, 1816, and was two years old when his parents removed to Washington County, Md. Seven years later they changed their abode to Frederick County, where the lad was reared on a farm, beginning to share in its cultivation when but ten years old. The only schooling which he ever had was at a subscription school for three months, where he learned to read and write. He is pre-eminently self made and many who have had the best of school privileges have not so good a knowledge of general topics and current events as he. When fifteen years old he began working by the month, doing men's work and receiving men's wages of $8 per month. He has spent many a day cradling grain and performing other labor which is now generally accomplished by machinery.
Mr. Bowers was married April 20, 1840 to Miss Susan Zeiger, the ceremony taking place at the bride's home in Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pa. That capable, industrious woman was born in the Keystone State and reared on the farm of her father, Jacob Zeiger. The latter was a soldier in the War of 1812. After his marriage Mr. Bowers removed to Morgan County, Va., where, after working for wages a year, he rented a farm in the vicinity of Bath. Two years later he went to Franklin County, Pa., and worked out by the month for a year, his wages being $9 per month. On this he kept his family, which included two children, and after paying $30 a year for house rent, was able to live as well as now. At the end of a year he bought five acres of land near Mercersburg and shortly afterward added six acres, it being a part of the estate of his mother-in-law. He chopped trees, hewed logs, and himself put up a log house in which many happy hours were spent by his little family. He set out an orchard and otherwise improved the place which he cultivated while at the same time working as a carpenter, being very handy in the use of tools and in wood work. Until he came West, Mr. Bowers continued to do carpenter's work, finally contracting for small buildings, making shingles and coopers' stuff, but making a specialty of building double corn cribs. He also continued to do some farm work, particularly in the harvest field, as otherwise he would have been boycotted by his neighbors. He became particularly expert in cradling grain and found plenty to do, being even sent for by farmers in Virginia. There he received $2.50 per day as he could work much faster than the slaves, while at home he received but $1.50 a day. In 1855 he sold his farm and goods and started with a team toward the setting sun. At Pittsburg he embarked on the "Star of the West" from which he disembarked at Copperas Landing. The team had been shipped and he drove on to Liverpool, then to Fairview where he lived a year. During the summer he busied himself at carpenter's work there and in the fall worked at London Mills. He bought eighty-four acres of his present estate which was raw land but took possession of a rented farm on Spoon River.
Being drowned out on the Spoon, Mr. Bowers returned to Fairview whence he teamed to Copperas Creek and other points for a year. He next moved on to the Harshbarger farm and after renting it a year, built on his own land and removed thither. He got out the timber from his own woods, hewed it to a frame, scored and put it up, and hauled lumber from Avon for the lighter parts of the building. He broke the land and gradually made the various improvements upon it, devoting the spring and summer to farm work and laboring at his trade from harvest time until winter. Until a year ago he was able to build but he has now given up carpenter's work.
Mr. Bowers was able ere long to buy adjoining land and added a quarter section to his estate. He sold a part of this, however, leaving his acreage one hundred and sixty-four. It is all neatly fenced and is well stocked and supplied with necessary buildings. The residence stands on one side of the road and the barns on the other. Three acres were given by Mr. Bowers to the Narrow Gauge Railroad as a right of way and he also subscribed to the fund raised to push the road through this part of the county. The land is excellent for pasturage and well adapted to the raising of hay and grain. Mr. Bowers, therefore, does general farming and feeds stock of various kinds. He raises about fourteen head of good roadsters and draft horses, together with cattle and hogs. In all his work uses the latest farm machinery. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowers we note the following: William H., died here in 1857; Daniel W. and Joseph enlisted in 1861 in the One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, Company B, were mustered in at Peoria and served until killed; Daniel died at Jackson, Tenn., in 1863, and Joseph was killed by the falling of a tree when on picket duty as Resaca. The latter had accompanied Sherman on the march to the sea and had been in all the battles of his regiment during the three years of his service; Jacob lives in Peoria; Martha V., Catherine R., and John G., triplets, are unmarried and at home; Rinaldo is also at home; Winfield Scott died in the East.
Mr. Bowers has been School Director nine years and is much interested in the advancement of the cause of education. Other projects and enterprises which will tend to elevate the material, moral and intellectual status of the community, receive a helping hand from him. He contributes to the building fund of churches and gave $115 toward the soldiers' monument at Midway. He was formerly a strong Abolitionist and is now an equally stanch supporter of Republican principles. He has been a delegate to the county and Congressional conventions. Mrs. Bowers is a consistent and honored member of the United Brethren Church.
John Bowers, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and farmed there during his earlier life. He removed to Washington County, Md., where he continued to farm and also did teaming. He finally made his home in Williamsport, living to an extreme old age. He was a famous shot and a great fighter, and although left-handed, was never known to be beaten by an opponent. He was the son of a man who emigrated from Germany.
John Bowers, Jr., the father of our subject, was likewise born in Lancaster County, Pa., and took part in the War of 1812 while still a single man. He afterward went to Maryland, operated a rented farm for a time, then settled in Frederick County, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty-eight years. Although a good soldier, ready to take up arms in defense of his country, he possessed a very peaceable disposition. His religious leaning was toward the Lutheran Church. He married Sarah, daughter of Jacob Coon, who was born in Washington County, Md., and reared on a farm. She spent her entire life in her native State, dying in Cavetown. Grandmother Coon lived to the extreme age of ninety-nine years. The family are of German descent. The parental family included nine children besides our subject, he being the first-born. Elizabeth and John died in Maryland, and Henry in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Christian lives in La Salle County, this State; Samuel, near Greenbush; Susan, in Franklin County, Md.; Nancy, in Smithburg, Md.; Katie F., and George are also in that State.