J. F. Bowers
SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878
J. F. BOWERS - Is a native of Montgomery county, Indiana, and was born September 5th, 1826. Mr. BOWERS is a son of Martin BOWERS, a native of Ohio, but who emigrated westward and settled in Montgomery county, Indiana, at a very early day. The subject of this brief sketch spent his early life in his native county, and not till 1868 did he resolve to seek a home on the rich plains of Illinois. Mr. BOWERS located upon the farm where he still lives, and which he has developed from the raw prairie. He made a wise selection when he settled where he did. There is no better farm in Tolono township than the half section owned by this gentleman. Mr. BOWERS was so unfortunate as to lose by fire his residence, a year or two since, but the damage is being rapidly replaced.