Bowers - Abraham H.
ABRAHAM H. BOWERS
Source: Darlington Herald 22 Feb 1918 p 1
After more than a month's illness Abnraham H. Bowers, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Darlington passed away at his home here Saturday night at 9:30. Suffering from stomach trouble his condition was regarded as serious from the first and during the last few days before his death the end was expected at any time.
Mr. Bowers was the son of Abner and Charlotte Bowers and was born in Sugar Creek Township December 3, 1842. He was married to Martha C. Booher April 21, 1864 and in the fall of the same year moved to a farm 1/2 miles SE of Darlington. To this union was born one daughter, Ina L, who with her mother survives. He also leaves two brothers, William N. of Urbana, Illinois and Silas L. of Crawfordsville. He served two terms as trustee of Franklin Township, being first elected in 1874.
In 1879 he built the first elevator here and operated it for a number of years. In 1886 he was elected County Commissioner. In 1891 he organized the Peoples Banking Company of which he was cashier for more than 17 years, after which he retired from active business life. He was one of the promoters of the Darlington Building & Loan Association and Darlington Water Company. He was always alive to the things for the betterment of the town and community. For more than 27 years, Mr. Bowers was a devout and active member of the Christian Church holding the office of Deacon at the time of his death. He was a trustee of Union Christian College for a number of years. It was always his delight to go to the House of the Lord regardless of denomination. While active in community affairs, he was an ideal home maker, a loving husband and a devoted father and always extended a cordian welcome to the stranger or friend coming into his home. By his death the town loses one of its most dependable citizens, the church its stanchest friend and the home, one whose place can never be filled.
As a mark of the high esteem in which he was held all businesses in town was suspended during the funeral, which took place at the South Christian Church Tuesday afternoon. Before leaving the home Mr. Bowers' favorite hymn, I will Sing of My Redeemer was played on the Edison and prayer was offered by Rev. Bradbury. At the church a very impressive service was held. Mr. Verne Booher of Indianapolis and Mrs. Fern Atkinson, Mr. Bowers' nephew and nice sang Rock of Ages, It is Well With My Soul and I surrender All. Rev. WM Nicely of the ME Church gave the scripture reading and Rev. Martin of Mellott lead in prayer, Rev. Kershner of Warren, a former minister here and a warm personal friend of Mr. Bowers delivered the funeral address which was followed by short talks by Rev. Martin and Rev. Bradbury.
The pall bearers were Loyd Bowers, Austin Bowers, Lora Shannon, Abner Bowers, Bird Dunbar, Charles Lease, Pete Dunbar and Fred Bowers, and the ___ ___ ___ were James Atkinson and Austin Bowers. A large number of beautiful floral offerings gave silent testimony of the love his friends bore him. Burial was made in the IOOF Cemetery. People from out of town who were here for the service included WN Bowers of Urbana, Ill; Newt Lease of St. Joseph Ill; Rev. CB Kershner of Warren; Rev. WH Martin and family of Mellott; Mrs. Frank Hoss of New Market; Mr. and Mrs. Silas Bowers, Fred Bowers, Mrs. Jane Wilkinson, Mr. and Mrs. James Atkinson, A.W. Booher, Mrs. Carl Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Silas Dunbar of Crawfordsville; Mrs. Belle Phillips, Mrs. Eleanor Avery, Mrs. Frank Bowers, Mrs. Will Thurman of Frankfort; L.D. Shannon of Lebanon, W.F. Jackman and Loyd Bowers of Lafayette; Austin Bowers and Carl Bowers of Marshall; Mr. and Mrs. Verne Booher, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Freeman and Mr. and Mrs. Austin Bowers and daughter, of Indianapolis, Mrs. Steve Ward, Miss Addie Ward, Mrs. John Hampton, Mrs. Lew Honecker, J.C. Kashner, Mr. and Mrs. Pony Ward, Mrs. Hugh Woody and Donald Jacques of Thorntown, Mrs. John Timmons, Mr. Will Ticen and Mrs. Warren Bowers of Colfax and Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Cox of Linden. -- kbz