Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. John Bower's early life is unknown until 1819 when his family moved from Georgia to Arkansas territory. In mid-1835 he traveled to Texas and began operating a ferry on the San Antonio River on the far bank of Carlos Rancho. He was elected one of the two delegates to represent San Patricio Municipality at the Convention of 1836 to discuss the coming secession and war with Mexico, and there signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. He was placed in charge of espionage under James Fannin, at one point heading Fannin off from reinforcing the troops at the Alamo and redirecting him towards a large Mexican unit heading for Goliad. After Texas won its independence, he returned to his homestead and married Bridget O'Brien in 1838. Bower was elected to the Congress of the Republic of Texas in 1841 and served until 1843, when he was elected chief justice of Refugio County; he was re-elected to that post again in 1847. John Bower died in early 1850 and was buried near the ferry he operated before the revolution.

Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. John Bower's early life is unknown until 1819 when his family moved from Georgia to Arkansas territory. In mid-1835 he traveled to Texas and began operating a ferry on the San Antonio River on the far bank of Carlos Rancho. He was elected one of the two delegates to represent San Patricio Municipality at the Convention of 1836 to discuss the coming secession and war with Mexico, and there signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. He was placed in charge of espionage under James Fannin, at one point heading Fannin off from reinforcing the troops at the Alamo and redirecting him towards a large Mexican unit heading for Goliad. After Texas won its independence, he returned to his homestead and married Bridget O'Brien in 1838. Bower was elected to the Congress of the Republic of Texas in 1841 and served until 1843, when he was elected chief justice of Refugio County; he was re-elected to that post again in 1847. John Bower died in early 1850 and was buried near the ferry he operated before the revolution.