History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 1887



O. C. Bowers Biography

O.C. BOWERS, attorney at law, Chambersburg, was born in Antrim Township, Franklin County, Penn., October 11, 1843, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Wolfe) Bowers, and was educated in the public schools of St. Thomas Township, whither his parents had removed in 1848. Here our subject also worked at farming and attended school until he was eighteen years of age when he commenced teaching.

In the summer of 1865 he attended the State Normal School at Millersville, and still continued teaching. For some three years he attended Mercersburg College until the close of the school year in June, 1869. In September of that year he commenced teaching and studied under Dr. Shumaker, in Chambersburg Academy, which he continued for four years. During those years he pursued the study of the classics and also read law until June, 1873. In November of that year he was admitted to the bar and immediately commenced the practice of his profession. In August, 1874, he was nominated by the Democratic party for district attorney and was elected the following fall; served the term of three years, and in the fall of 1877 was re-elected to the same position, which he filled with ability during his term. Several important criminal cases were tried during his terms, including two capital cases, followed by convictions and executions.

Mr. Bowers married December 21, 1875, Ellen G., daughter of Jacob Heyser, and by her has a family of three sons: Robert Hood, Wayne Heyser and William G. Mrs. Bowers is a member of the Reformed Church, Mr. Bowers of the Lutheran. The honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred on him by Mercersburg College June 25, 1878.


Source: Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania : containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers, and biographical sketches of prominent citizens; Chicago. Genealogical Pub. Co. 1905. Notes: Prepared in part by George O. Seilhamer.















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