The Wadena Pioneer Journal, August 1, 1912

DEATH CALLS GRANDMA DOWER
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Long and Helpful Life Brought to a close Tuesday Morning at 10 o’clock.
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FUNERAL TODAY AT 2:30
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Death of Pioneer Woman of Wadena County Follows Year of Intense Suffering


Mrs. Sampson Dower, “Grandma” Dower, as she was affectionately spoken of by her family and friends, passed away at 10:17 o’clock Tuesday morning at her home in Staples. The end came peacefully as she was surrounded by all members of family except one daughter, Mrs. Bayer, of Payette, Idaho.
Mrs. Dower’s death was one due to cancer of the face, from which she had suffered for about one year. While the cause of the cancer could not be definitely traced, it is, however, believed that it was caused by injuries she sustained in a runaway accident in Staples. The cancer first appeared on her tongue. She was taken to Chicago and the most noted specialists were consulted. An operation was performed at the Mayo hospital in Rochester and the cancer removed. After a time it broke out again in the glands of the throat and gradually spread until death ensued. Grandma Dower suffered greatly during the final year of her life yet she bore up with Christian fortitude and uncomplaining resignation. Death came as a welcome relief to the patient sufferer.
Mrs. Dower was among the pioneer women of Wadena County, having resided here almost since the first settlement of the county. Her maiden name was Mary Jane Jilbert and she was born near Cambourne, Cornwall County, England, on July 28, 1836, being thus a little past 76 years of age at the time of her death. She came to America with her parents in 1846 and lived 4 years in Milwaukee, 3 years on Isle Royale, and moved to Eagle River, Mich., in 1853. There she married on December 24, 1854 to Sampson Dower. They resided at Eagle River for over a year, in Keweenaw, Mich., a couple of years, Mr. Dower being employed in the mines, and in 1858 they moved to Ontonagon County, where they resided 6 years. They then moved to Duluth and resided there 12 years. During their residence in Duluth Mr. Dower was engaged principally in contract work along the harbor front. In 1876 they moved to Wadena County and settled near Aldrich, Mr. Dower engaging in the lumbering business. In 1877 they moved to their homestead in Thomastown, where they lived continuously until 6 years ago when they moved to Staples. During the early years of their residence in Wadena county Mr. Dower was engaged in the lumbering business, getting out logs, ties and piling and operating saw mills. His operations extended over a considerable territory from Aldrich as far east as Motley and southeast to Cushing.
Grandma Dower was the mother of 15 children, but one son died in infancy and a daughter, Mrs. Lillian Hipple, died in Verndale on April 29, 1902. The surviving children in the order of their ages are as follows: Mrs. Nellie French, Wadena; Mrs. Tillie Bayer, Payette, Idaho; William Dower, postmaster of Wadena; Sampson Dower, Jr., Staples; Mrs. Phillipa Gadway, Verndale; John Dower, Samuel J. Dower and Mrs. Belle Boyd, Wadena; Mrs. Addie Greeno, Mrs. Jeannie Weston, H.J. Dower, Mrs. Edith Greeno and Mrs. Nettie Tuttle, Staples. Besides her husband and children she is survived by 50 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Mrs. Jane Everett, Jamestown, N.D.; Mrs. Eliza James, Calumet, Mich., and Mrs. Caroline Bennetts, of Houghton, Mich.
Grandma Dower was a wonderful woman of the old school, possessing those sterling traits so characteristic of the early pioneers. She endured many hardships, yet during the many changes and vicissitudes of a long and useful life, she remained contented, being thankful for many blessings vouchsafed and refusing to allow the dark days to dim the sunlight of her life. She lived for her family but never wearied in well doing, her kindly ministrations in time of trouble will be greatly remembered by many in the community where she lived so long. She was a woman greatly beloved by all and the news of her death will be received with sorrow wherever she was known.
The funeral will be held this (Thursday) afternoon from the Methodist church in Staples. Rev. Lafayette Dodds will officiate. A coach will be attached to a freight train this evening to convey home those from Wadena, Verndale and Aldrich, who may wish to attend the funeral.