John A. Bowers

The Payette Independent
Thursday, June 11, 1925

DEATH CALLS JOHN A. BOWERS

PROMINENT PAYETTE COUNTY CITIZEN A VICTIM OF CANCER AFTER LONG AND PAINFUL ILLNESS.

Death has again entered our midst and claimed one of the prominent citizens of Payette county in the person of John A. Bowers, who passed away at his home Sunday morning, June 17, 1925, at the age of 65 years, 1 month and 20 days.

Mr. Bowers became a victim of cancer in the form of what is called Hodgekin's disease, last year, and last January he went to Chicago where on January 21 he was operated on, his left leg being removed above the knee, in the hope of saving his life. However the dread disease broke out again and he gradually grew worse, being bedfast for the past eight weeks.

John A. Bowers was born at Hartville, Stark County, Ohio, April 18, 1860, and there he spent his boyhood days. At the age of 20 he moved to Kansas where he resided until 1906. December 24, 1885, he was married at Morrill, Kansas, to Myrtle Ann Plum, and to this union were born one daughter, Mrs. Minnie Vaunatta, of Payette, and three sons, Milton E. Bowers, of Glenns Ferry; Roy E. Bowers, of Fruitland, and Harry I. Bowers, of LaSalle, Ill. All were with him in his last hours except Harry, who was unable to attend the funeral.

In 1906 Mr. Bowers and his family came to Idaho, locating on a fruit farm six and a half miles south of Payette on the bench. In the fall of 1907 the Fruitland townsite was laid out, he having espoused the movement, and christened the town, giving it the name it now bears -- Fruitland. In the fall of 1908 he sold his interests at Fruitland and retired from farming taking a years vacation and visiting his old home in Ohio and places of interest in Pennsylvania and Virginia. He, however, was not content in the east and could not resist Idaho. He returned to Fruitland and became active in the fruit business again. Later he purchased the fruit ranch north of Payette and made this his home until death called.

Mr. Bowers led an active life and was prominent in all affairs effecting the welfare of Payette county. A man of pleasing personality, he had a large acquaintance and veritable host of warm personal friends. His was a consistent Christian life and was faithful to the end. The community's loss is second only to that of his family and his going is mourned by the citizenship of the country generally.

Funeral services were held at the Brethren church in Payette, of which he was a member. Interment took place at Riverside cemetery.

There are left to mourn his loss the wife, four children, eight grand children, three brothers and six sisters. To all of these the sympathies of the Independent and the many friends of the family are extended.

Card of Thanks

We wish to express our heartfelt thanks, to the kind neighbors and friends, who so kindly assisted us in the sickness and death of our dear Husband and Father, and also for the many beautiful floral offerings. Mrs. J. A. Bowers, C. A. Vannatta and family, M. E. Bowers and family, Roy E. Bowers and family

Payette Enterprise (Thursday, June 11, 1925)

WELL KNOWN PAYETTE RESIDENT PASSES

John A. Bowers, a well known resident of this community died at his home four miles north of Payette last Sunday morning, June 7th, following several months illness known as the Hodgekins desease, which caused him much suffering which he bore patiently in making a hard struggle for life.

Last winter he went to Chicago in the hopes of obtaining relief, where on January 21st, he submitted to the amputation of his left leg above the knee, but the disease soon broke out again when he returned home and was confined to his bed for eight weeks before the end.

John A. Bowers was born at Hartville, Stark county, Ohio, April 12th, 1860, at the age of 20, moved to Kansas, where he resided until 1906. He was united in marriage to Myrtle Ann Plum, December 24th, 1885 at Morrill, Kansas. To this union was born, one daughter and three sons, Mrs. Minnie Vannatta of Payette; Milton E Bowers of Glenns Gerry, Idaho; Ray E. Bowers of Fruitland and Harry I. Bowers of La Sell, Ill. All of whom with their mother survive.

In 1906 he came with his family to Idaho locating on a fruit farm six miles south of Payette on the Bench. The following year when the Fruitland townsite was laid out he sponsored the movement and christened the town.

In the fall of 1908 he sold his interest at Fruitland and retired from farming, taking a year's vacation visiting his old home in Ohio and places of interest in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. In 1910, he again moved to Fruitland where he became active in the fruit business and also took an active part in the building up of the thriving little city of Frutland, and later moved to his fruit ranch north of Payette, where he passed away on June seventh.

Mr. Bowers was a member of the Brethren church and a good christian man, continuing his faith until the end. He was a good neighbor and respected by all with whom he associated.

Besides his wife and four children, he is survived by eight grandchildren, three brothers and six sisters. Funeral services were held at the Church of the Brethren at Payette, June 9th at 2 p.m. Conducted by Rev. Montz, assisted by A. L. Gerham. Interment took place in Riverside cemetery.