Bower, William E.—Enlisted 25 May 1861, 19 years old, as a private in Co. C, 17th

Infantry. Description at enlistment: 5'7" tall; blonde hair; grey eyes; born Hillsboro
(Highland) Ohio. Died 9 May 1929 in Monett (Lawrence) Missouri.
Bower, William E.—Civil War Pension Application, National Archives, Washington,
DC: Born 6 February 1842 in Hillsboro, Ohio. Married Abby Goodrich in Rushville
(Schuyler) Illinois on 6 August 1865. Their children: Karl born 20 May 1867 in Pleasant
View (Schuyler) Illinois; Margreta born 9 May 1870 in Vermont (Fulton) Illinois; Ward
born 4 April 1883 in Missouri. In 1929 Ward lived in Washington, D.C. William
Bower was a carpenter.

"About the last of June 1863 while on duty at the siege of Vicksburg my head was
injured so as to cause deafness. While in the rifle pit in front of Vicksburg we were
called out of the pit, as they were going to shell the works. A shell came from our own
guns as I had just stepped to one side. It struck the bank close to my head, exploded and
most buried me with dirt. The concussion was so great I could hardly hear any more. By
morning I felt better and supposed at the time it was only a temporary injury. I made
very little complaint as I failed to realize the extent of the injury."—William E. Bower,
1891

In 1873 the family moved to Missouri. William E. Bower died 9 May 1929 at his
daughter's home (Mrs. Margaret Hasty) in Monett (Barry) Missouri.
Bower, William E.—Death Certificate, Missouri—Died in Pierce Township (Lawrence)
Missouri on 9 May 1929. His wife, Abbie Bower, predeceased him. His occupation was
carpenter and mechanic. Born in Hillsboro, Ohio, on 6 February 1842. Ward E. Bower
was the informant, and he did not know the names of William Bower's parents. Burial at
IOOF Cemetery, Monett, Missouri.


Mentioned as living in Monett, MO in the will of Mary Mibly, his sister, in 1922

Private in ILL 17th Infantry1152

In 1850 living in Hillsborough, Highland County, Ohio, Age 7 yrs. 271

In 1860 Living Rushville, Schuyler County, Ill, age 16 yrs. 272

in 1880 Living Schell City, Vernon, Missouri,, age 37. 1153

1900 living in Pierce Township, Missouri, age 59 yrs. 1154

1920 living in Pierce Township, Missouri, age 72 yrs. 1155