As of November of 2019, following is what we believe we know about Private Joseph Bower (Bowers), of Co. C of the 86th Illinois.
Private JOSEPH BOWER (BOWERS), Co. C, 86th Illinois
Joseph Bower (Bowers) was born about 1837 in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. A site on FamilySearch.org states that there was a Joseph Bower, who was born in July of 1834 and that he was the son of Samuel Bowers, who was born c. 1801 and who died in 1855, and Cassandra (__________) Bowers, who was born c. 1811 and who died on __________________. It is doubtful that this is our Joseph Bower/Bowers. Our Joseph Bowers is believed to have been the son of Tazewell/Tazwell Bowers and Crissena (___________) Bowers. The 1918 edition of the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Vol. 2, that covers Montgomery County, Illinois, tells ua quite a but about Tazewell Bowers and his family.
Tazewell Bowers is known to have come to America before 1838. He was a Butcher for a number of years in Madison County, Illinois and later farmed in the 1860's and 1870's in Madison County. The children born to Tazewell Bower/Bowers and Crissena (__________) Bower/Bowers includes;
1. Charles Bowers, born c. 1837 in Illinois.
2. Joseph Bowers, born c. 1838 in Illinois.
3. Maria Bowers, born c. 1841/42 in Illinois. Maria was married to Patrick Bradley and they resided in Sioux City, Iowa.
4. Henry Bowers, born c. 1843/44 in Illinois. Eventually resided in Springfield, Illinois.
5. George Bowers, born c. 1846/47 in Illinois.
6. Alexander Bowers, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois. Eventually moved to Texas. At the time of the 1920 census, Alexander is found in Justice Precinct 1, Castro County, Texas. His parents were both born in Germany;
Alex Bowers Head M 70 Illinois
Ellen Bowers Wife F 54 Tennessee
Thomas Bowers Son M 35 Wisconsin
7. Amelia Bowers, born November 20, 1852 in Illinois. Amelia was married to Albert E. Chausee on January 10, 1877. At the time of the 1900 census, the Chausee family is found in Nokomis township Witt vill. (pt.), Montgomery County, Illinois;
Albert Chausse Head M 55 Switzerland
Amelia Chausse Wife F 51 Illinois
Nettie Chausse Daughter F 22 Illinois
Walter Chausse Son M 17 Illinois
Grace M Chausse Daughter F 15 Illinois
Edward Chausse Nephew M 21 Illinois
Amella (Bowers) Chausse died on 21 May 1949 and her mortal remains were laid in the Nokomis Cemetery in Nokomis, Montgomery County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #90339150.
Now to continue with what we know about Tazewell Bowers and the Bowers family;
At the time of the 1850 census, the Bower/Bowers family is found in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. This is believed to be our Joseph Bower/Bowers;
Tazwell Bowers M 38 Germany
Crissena Bowers F 36 Germany
Charles Bowers M 12 Illinois
Joseph Bowers M 11 Illinois
Maria Bowers F 8 Illinois
Henry Bowers M 6 Illinois
George Bowers M 3 Illinois
Alexander Bowers M 0 Illinois
There is a Joseph Bower/Bowers found to have married to Mary Eliza Lee on February 1, 1855 in Jackson County, Illinois. Her maiden name, as seen below, was also listed as Speath. Mary, according to the FamilySearch.org site, was born on September 6, 1838. However she is also listed as having died on February 14, 1856. We believe that our Joseph Bower/Bowers was married to an Eliza _____________ in the mid to late 1850's, but this is just not believed to be our Joseph Bower/Bowers.
At the time of the 1860 census, the Joseph Bower/Bower, who is believed to have enlisted in what was to become Co. C of the 86th Illinois is believed to be the Joseph Bower/Bowers we find living in the village of Chillicothe, Illinois in Peoria County. This is the way the Joseph Bowers and Eliza (____________) Bowers are found in the Village of Chillicothe, Illinois;
Bowers Joseph 22 M Butcher 25 IL
Bowers Eliza 21 F PA
Bowers Ida 1 F IL
From this we see that Joseph and Eliza have one daughter at this time;
1. Ida M. Bowers, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois; On November 21, 1876, Ida Bowers was married to Worth Sewards in Peoria County; Ida and Worth were divorced before 1880; At the time of the 1880 census, Ida is found residing in Jackson County, Illinois with her mother and daughter; Ida and Worth are believed to have had one child, Minnie, who was born c. 1876 in Illinois; On April 24, 1881, Ida M. Bowers was married to John McVerish in Jackson County, Illinois.
Now at the time of the 1870 census, Eliza and Ida are still found in Chillicothe Township in Peoria County, Illinois. Joseph however is not listed, so he has either died or they have been divorced or he is in hiding;
Eliza Bowers F 30 Pennsylvania
Ida Bowers F 11 Illinois
Joseph Bowers M 7 Illinois
Charlie Bowers M 4 Illinois
Louis Bowers M 2 Illinois
From this we see that three more children were apparently born to Joseph and Eliza;
2. Joseph Bowers, born c. 1862/63 in Illinois; Joseph Bowers may be the Joseph Bowers, who is found in Ward 3 of Collinsville, Madison County, Illinois in the 1900, 1910 ad 1940 census records; This Joseph Bowers was born in February of 1863 in Illinois, which would be right on for our Joseph Bowers, and was married to Edna __________; Joseph and Edna had the following children, Josie, Henry, Charles and Joseph Jr.
3. Charles "Charlie" Bowers, born c. 1865/66 in Illinois; On November 18, 1896 a Charles Bowers was married to a Delia Klock in Kane County, Illinois. Charles was 30 years of age, which would place his year of birth about 1866. Charles' father and mother were Joseph Bowers and Eliza (Speath) Bowers. This is almost certainly the 2nd marriage for Charles as at the time of the 1900 census, he has a daughter, Ora Bowers, who was born c. 1891/92 in Illinois. Delia was 21 and her parents were Charles Klock and Ursela Kutin. At the time of the 1900 census, Charles and Delia have been married 3 years and are found in Hyde Park Township, Ward 33 in the City of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. His parents are both listed as having been born in Illinois;
Head Charles Bowers M March 1866 Age 34 Illinois
Wife Delia A Bowers F February 1876 Age 24 Illinois
Daughter Ora Bowers F January 1892 Age 8 Illinois
Boarder Ira Michael M 24 Illinois
Boarder Edward Owens M 30 Ohio
At the time of the 1910 census, Charles and Delia are found in Hall, Bureau County, Illinois;
Head Charles Bowers M 43 Illinois
Wife Dellia Bowers F 34 Illinois
Son Ora Bowers M 18 Illinois
4. Louis Bowers, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
On November 25, 1871, Mrs. Eliza Bowers was married to Brunson Crook in Peoria County, Illinois, further pointing to the fact that Joseph Bower/Bowers is either dead or they are divorced. This marriage died not last long as at the time of the 1880 census, Bronson Crook is found in Chillicothe Township in Peoria County, but, he is married to a Marietta __________;
Bronson CROOK, Self, born c, 1845 in IL
Marietta CROOK, Wife, born c. 1858 in IL
Henry L. CROOK, Son, born c. 1877 in IL
Ruben L. CROOK, Son, born c. 1879 in IL
At the time of the 1880 census, Tazewell Bower/Bower is found in Godfrey, Madison County, Illinois. He is listed as a Retired Farmer;
Tazwell Bowers Self M 67 Germany
Cresent Bowers Wife F 67 Germany
Now to continue with the military record of our Joseph Bower/Bowers;
On August 13, 1862, Joseph Bowers (Bower) volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Chillicothe, Illinois, and in the townships immediately north and west of Chillicothe, including Halleck Township in Peoria County and LaPrairie and Saratoga Townships in Marshall County. This company was being raised by John H. Batchelder, who operated the Ferry at Chillicothe, and Dr. Joseph Thomas, a Chillicothe area Physician. When he volunteered, Joseph Bowers gave his residence as Chillicothe, Illinois.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BOWERS, JOSEPH
Rank PVT Company C Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence CHILLICOTHE, PEORIA CO, IL Age 25 Height 5' 10 1/2 Hair LIGHT
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation BUTCHER
Nativity ALTON, MADISON CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 12, 1862 Joined Where CHILLICOTHE, IL
Joined By Whom J H BATCHELDER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DESERTED AT NASHVILLE TENN MAY 18, 1863
When Batchelder and Thomas had almost 100 volunteers, they led the Chillicothe area company into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Batchelder, Thomas and 87 of their volunteers were mustered into service as Co. C of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Dr. Thomas was elected by the men of Co. C to serve as their Captain, while Batchelder was elected to serve as their 1st Lieutenant.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, to the railroad depot, where they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois. Somewhere in the Peoria crowd may have been Mrs. Joseph Bower, who would have been pregnant with their 2nd child. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. By early October, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more to come. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee.
The men of McCook's Brigade marched into Nashville on the 7th of November. It then marched on to Edgefield, Tennessee, located a few miles from Nashville, where it remained until the 23rd of November. It was then marched to Mill Creek, where it took up encampment at a place known as Camp Sheridan. On the 9th of December, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade returned to Nashville, where it would go into winter camp.
That first winter in the field was very difficult on the new troops in the field. The History of the 86th states that "About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within. Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time."
The hospitals were full to overflowing and today hundreds and hundreds of Union soldiers who died during that first winter are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery. About February of 1863, back in Peoria County, Mrs. Joseph Bowers was giving birth to her 2nd child, a son, whom she named Joseph Bowers Jr. It would have been a few days, perhaps a few weeks, before Private Joseph Bowers would find out about his a father again of a son, who was named after him. Private Joseph Bowers made it through the winter of 1862/63, but in May of 1863 seems to have disappeared from the Nashville area. He was officially listed as a Deserter on May 18, 1863. He may have been sick and sent home by a Army doctor. We may never know for certain. In any case, Joseph Bowers appears to have made his way back to Illinois as in the 1870 census, we see that Ida has had three more children. As Joseph is not with the family, again, either he has died or has remarried and moved on.
On April 5, 1863, Ansel Crouch, another member of Co. C, was "marked to go to the Convalesent Camp, which were in some sort of Barracks in or near Nashville, Tennessee. Ansel left for the camp on the 8th and almost immediately got a pass to try to go to see some of the boys in their camp and "found the most of the Boys gone to Brentwood Station." Two other members of Co. C, who are known to have been in this Convalesent Camp/Barracks about this same time was Frederick L. Saxton and Albanus L. Jenkins. On April 14, 1863, Ansel mentions that another Co. C boy, "Anson Stillman was down a while at night" and that on the 18th "One of Co. K's men died very sudden." Apparently there was a way to wire money home during those days. On April 19, 1863, Ansel wrote "the Captain came in at night. Edd sent me the money owed me." The following day, Ansel wrote, "sent 50 dollars home by the Captain. James Sirlott (another Co. C boy) came in and several others. Anson Stillman came came down a little while at night." On the 21st Ansel wrote, "Paid the Captain for sending home the money, what he had to pay." On April 23, 1863, Ansel wrote, "the rest that were fit for duty were ordered front. I went to see Anson a while. he had the ague. 2 of the B boys deserted." On April 30, 1863, Ansel wrote, "Saxton & I cook some Greens. they were good. the Dr. gave me some Bloodroot. It was a warm day. I went up to the battery. saw Anson & Jimmy (possibly Sirlott.)"
Ansel started the month of May of 1863 in the Convalesent Camp. On May 2, 1863, he wrote, "Lew Saxton went to the Regt. I went down town..........the Dr. talked of sending us north." By the middle of May of 1863, both Albanus L. Jenkins and Ansel Crouch were doing worse. On May 13, 1863, Ansel noted, "Washed my Napsack and Haversack. the Dr. told Jenkins & myself to be ready to go to the Hospital after dinner. Were sent to No. 2. On May 14th, Ansel noted, "Hospital No. 2, College Hill, Nashville, Tennessee. did not feel very well this morning. had the headache. am waiting to be sent north. don't know when it will be. the Dr. says I must keep my bed." On May 23, 1863, Ansel noted, "I was about the same. the Dr. ordered me to stay in all of the time. Gallop came up from camp & brought me a paper from home. said Jo. Bowers had deserted."
In June 27, 1863, Frederick L. Saxton penned the following in a letter home to his sisters. "I spose George has heard about Jo Bowers deserting. he got as far as Bowling Green and was catched and fetched back. he is here in jail awaiting his trial. he had citizens clothes on. it will be a sore job for him." At this time it is not known what the army decided to do with Joseph Bowers.
It must be noted that in his diary, Private Ansel Crouch, wrote the following on May 15, 1863. "A member of the 10th Michigan was Shot at 12 O'Clock near Ft. Negley for desertion. I was sick to my stomach and threw up my supper." It is not believed that Private Joseph Bowers was shot for desertion as we believe he eventually returned to Peoria County and his family even fathered two more children through his 1st wife, Eliza (____________) Bowers. He may have done some time in prison or he may have just been sent home. On June 15, 1863, Ansel Crouch wrote the following in his diary. "Was a man to be shot but he was repreved." This was not Private Joseph Bowers, as Frederick Saxton, in his letter above, states that as of June 27, 1863, "he is here in jail awaiting his trial. " I believe Joseph Bowers was repreaved.
Now this is where it gets even more confusing.
On February 10, 1870, a Joseph Bower/Bowers is married to a Rosanah Parker in Jackson County, Illinois. According to the FamilySearch.org site, Joseph was married to Rosanna Parks (not Parker) on that date. It further states that Rosanna was born in April of 1852 and died on January 18, 1943 in Sand Ridge Township in Jackson County, Illinois. At the time of the 1870 census, Joseph Bowers is found in Kincaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois;
Joseph Bower M 35 Illinois
Rosemah Bower F 18 Illinois
I find it hard to believe that this is our Joseph Bowers. However, on November 21, 1876, Ida Bowers, the oldest children of Joseph Bower/Bowers and Eliza (___________) Bower, was married to Worth Sewards in Peoria County, Illinois. One child is known to have been to this union, Minnie Seward, before it ended in divorce. At the time of the 1880 census, Ida is again listed as Bowers and her mother is now listed as a Seward, definately, a screw up. But guess where they are found? Murphysboro, Illinois in Jackson County, the following two families are found;
Eliza Seward 38 Keeping House PA
Ida Bowers 21 Divorced IL
Minnie Seward 4 IL
Eliza (__________) Bowers Crook, the wife of Joseph Bowers, who served in the 86th, Ida (Bowers) Seward/Sewards, the oldest child of our Joseph Bowers, and the Joseph Bower/Bowers, that I find it difficult to believe is our Joseph Bowers, have all ended up together in Jackson County, Illinois, together. Here is the way Joseph Bower/Bowers' family appears in Jackson County, Illinois;
Joseph Bowers 44 Farmer IL
Rosanna Bowers 30 IL
Henry E. Bowers 7 IL
Rebecca A. Bowers 5 IL
Ettie Bell Bowers 2 IL
Now Joseph Bower/Bowers and Rosanah (Parks/Parker) Bowers are known to have had the following children;
4. Henry E. Bowers, born c. December of 1873 in Illinois; Henry was apparently married to Ida McBride on October 22, 1899 in Jackson County, Illinois. Ida was born on March 19, 1879 and died on January 22, 1953; According to the FamilySearch.org site Henry died on December 2, 1960 and their earthly remains were laid in the Evergreen Cemetery in Ava, Jackson County, Illinois.
5. Rebecca A. Bowers, born c. 1874/75 in Illinois.
6. Etta Bell "Ettie" Bowers, born c. February 1878 in Illinois; Ettie Bowers and Stephen Abijah Miles occurring on October 12, 1896 in Jackson County, Illinois; Ettie died on October 22, 1935 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
7. Samuel Bowers, born c. August of 1881 in Illinois; Samuel was married 1st to Ada Myrtle Ward and 2nd to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Morber on __________ __, 19__; At the time of the 1910 census, Samuel and Lizzie are found in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois;
Head Samuel S Bower M 28 Illinois
Wife Lizzie Bower F 19 Illinois
Son Evert J Bower M 0 Illinois
Samuel died on January 27, 1929 in Kincaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery.
8. Lura/Laura Bowers, born c. June of 1885/86 in Jackson County, Illinois. Lura/Laura was married to Fred White in 1905. Lura/Laura died on October __, 1961 in Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery in Ava, Jackson County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #96619972.
Now to continue with the biography of Joseph Bowers, of Jackson County, Illinois, and his family;
At the time of the 1900 census, this Joseph and Rosanna Bowers are found in Kinkaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois. His parents according to this census were born in Pennsylvania and he and Rosanna have been married 30 years, which would make their year of marriage about 1870.
Head Joseph Bower M July 1834 66 Illinois
Wife Rosana Bower F 48 Illinois
Son Samuel Bower M 19 Illinois
Daughter Lura Bower F 14 Illinois
At the time of the 1910 census, Joseph and Rosana are found in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois;
Joe Bower Head M 76 Illinois
Rosanna Bower Wife F 58 Illinois
According to the FamilySearch.org site, Joseph Bowers died on February 11, 1917 in Kinkaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois. His mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery, Kinkaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1930 census, Rosanna is found residing with her daughter-in-law, and her family in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois. She is listed as widowed;
Lizzie Bower Head F 37 Illinois
E Jackson Bower Son M 20 Illinois
Lily Bower Daughter F 18 Illinois
Homer Bower Son M 16 Illinois
Peter Bower Son M 14 Illinois
Eileen Bower Daughter F 12 Illinois
Edward Bower Son M 10 Illinois
Lee Bower Son M 7 Illinois
Ralph Bower Son M 3 Illinois
Irene Bower Daughter F 1 Illinois
Rose Ann Bower Mother F 76 Illinois
At the time of the 1940 census, Rosanna Bowers is found residing with her niece and nephew in Sand Ridge Township, Jackson County, Illinois. She is listed as widowed;
Murray Mifflin Head M 49 Illinois
Floy Mifflin Wife F 43 Illinois
Harry Mifflin Son M 20 Illinois
Jimmie D Mifflin Son M 10 Illinois
Grace Mifflin Daughter F 8 Illinois
Sarah Ann Mifflin Mother F 77 Illinois
Rose Ann Bowers Aunt F 88 Illinois
Rosanna Parks Bower died on January 18, 1943 in Kinkaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery beside those of Joseph Bowers.
So, I just don't know what to think. Did our Joseph Bower/Bowers die in the late 1860's, disappear out west or is this Joseph Bower/Bowers in Jackson County, Illinois the same man we find in Peoria County, in 1860?
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Bowers family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Private Joseph Bowers and the Bowers family.)
Private JOSEPH BOWER (BOWERS), Co. C, 86th Illinois
Joseph Bower (Bowers) was born about 1837 in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. A site on FamilySearch.org states that there was a Joseph Bower, who was born in July of 1834 and that he was the son of Samuel Bowers, who was born c. 1801 and who died in 1855, and Cassandra (__________) Bowers, who was born c. 1811 and who died on __________________. It is doubtful that this is our Joseph Bower/Bowers. Our Joseph Bowers is believed to have been the son of Tazewell/Tazwell Bowers and Crissena (___________) Bowers. The 1918 edition of the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Vol. 2, that covers Montgomery County, Illinois, tells ua quite a but about Tazewell Bowers and his family.
Tazewell Bowers is known to have come to America before 1838. He was a Butcher for a number of years in Madison County, Illinois and later farmed in the 1860's and 1870's in Madison County. The children born to Tazewell Bower/Bowers and Crissena (__________) Bower/Bowers includes;
1. Charles Bowers, born c. 1837 in Illinois.
2. Joseph Bowers, born c. 1838 in Illinois.
3. Maria Bowers, born c. 1841/42 in Illinois. Maria was married to Patrick Bradley and they resided in Sioux City, Iowa.
4. Henry Bowers, born c. 1843/44 in Illinois. Eventually resided in Springfield, Illinois.
5. George Bowers, born c. 1846/47 in Illinois.
6. Alexander Bowers, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois. Eventually moved to Texas. At the time of the 1920 census, Alexander is found in Justice Precinct 1, Castro County, Texas. His parents were both born in Germany;
Alex Bowers Head M 70 Illinois
Ellen Bowers Wife F 54 Tennessee
Thomas Bowers Son M 35 Wisconsin
7. Amelia Bowers, born November 20, 1852 in Illinois. Amelia was married to Albert E. Chausee on January 10, 1877. At the time of the 1900 census, the Chausee family is found in Nokomis township Witt vill. (pt.), Montgomery County, Illinois;
Albert Chausse Head M 55 Switzerland
Amelia Chausse Wife F 51 Illinois
Nettie Chausse Daughter F 22 Illinois
Walter Chausse Son M 17 Illinois
Grace M Chausse Daughter F 15 Illinois
Edward Chausse Nephew M 21 Illinois
Amella (Bowers) Chausse died on 21 May 1949 and her mortal remains were laid in the Nokomis Cemetery in Nokomis, Montgomery County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #90339150.
Now to continue with what we know about Tazewell Bowers and the Bowers family;
At the time of the 1850 census, the Bower/Bowers family is found in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. This is believed to be our Joseph Bower/Bowers;
Tazwell Bowers M 38 Germany
Crissena Bowers F 36 Germany
Charles Bowers M 12 Illinois
Joseph Bowers M 11 Illinois
Maria Bowers F 8 Illinois
Henry Bowers M 6 Illinois
George Bowers M 3 Illinois
Alexander Bowers M 0 Illinois
There is a Joseph Bower/Bowers found to have married to Mary Eliza Lee on February 1, 1855 in Jackson County, Illinois. Her maiden name, as seen below, was also listed as Speath. Mary, according to the FamilySearch.org site, was born on September 6, 1838. However she is also listed as having died on February 14, 1856. We believe that our Joseph Bower/Bowers was married to an Eliza _____________ in the mid to late 1850's, but this is just not believed to be our Joseph Bower/Bowers.
At the time of the 1860 census, the Joseph Bower/Bower, who is believed to have enlisted in what was to become Co. C of the 86th Illinois is believed to be the Joseph Bower/Bowers we find living in the village of Chillicothe, Illinois in Peoria County. This is the way the Joseph Bowers and Eliza (____________) Bowers are found in the Village of Chillicothe, Illinois;
Bowers Joseph 22 M Butcher 25 IL
Bowers Eliza 21 F PA
Bowers Ida 1 F IL
From this we see that Joseph and Eliza have one daughter at this time;
1. Ida M. Bowers, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois; On November 21, 1876, Ida Bowers was married to Worth Sewards in Peoria County; Ida and Worth were divorced before 1880; At the time of the 1880 census, Ida is found residing in Jackson County, Illinois with her mother and daughter; Ida and Worth are believed to have had one child, Minnie, who was born c. 1876 in Illinois; On April 24, 1881, Ida M. Bowers was married to John McVerish in Jackson County, Illinois.
Now at the time of the 1870 census, Eliza and Ida are still found in Chillicothe Township in Peoria County, Illinois. Joseph however is not listed, so he has either died or they have been divorced or he is in hiding;
Eliza Bowers F 30 Pennsylvania
Ida Bowers F 11 Illinois
Joseph Bowers M 7 Illinois
Charlie Bowers M 4 Illinois
Louis Bowers M 2 Illinois
From this we see that three more children were apparently born to Joseph and Eliza;
2. Joseph Bowers, born c. 1862/63 in Illinois; Joseph Bowers may be the Joseph Bowers, who is found in Ward 3 of Collinsville, Madison County, Illinois in the 1900, 1910 ad 1940 census records; This Joseph Bowers was born in February of 1863 in Illinois, which would be right on for our Joseph Bowers, and was married to Edna __________; Joseph and Edna had the following children, Josie, Henry, Charles and Joseph Jr.
3. Charles "Charlie" Bowers, born c. 1865/66 in Illinois; On November 18, 1896 a Charles Bowers was married to a Delia Klock in Kane County, Illinois. Charles was 30 years of age, which would place his year of birth about 1866. Charles' father and mother were Joseph Bowers and Eliza (Speath) Bowers. This is almost certainly the 2nd marriage for Charles as at the time of the 1900 census, he has a daughter, Ora Bowers, who was born c. 1891/92 in Illinois. Delia was 21 and her parents were Charles Klock and Ursela Kutin. At the time of the 1900 census, Charles and Delia have been married 3 years and are found in Hyde Park Township, Ward 33 in the City of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. His parents are both listed as having been born in Illinois;
Head Charles Bowers M March 1866 Age 34 Illinois
Wife Delia A Bowers F February 1876 Age 24 Illinois
Daughter Ora Bowers F January 1892 Age 8 Illinois
Boarder Ira Michael M 24 Illinois
Boarder Edward Owens M 30 Ohio
At the time of the 1910 census, Charles and Delia are found in Hall, Bureau County, Illinois;
Head Charles Bowers M 43 Illinois
Wife Dellia Bowers F 34 Illinois
Son Ora Bowers M 18 Illinois
4. Louis Bowers, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
On November 25, 1871, Mrs. Eliza Bowers was married to Brunson Crook in Peoria County, Illinois, further pointing to the fact that Joseph Bower/Bowers is either dead or they are divorced. This marriage died not last long as at the time of the 1880 census, Bronson Crook is found in Chillicothe Township in Peoria County, but, he is married to a Marietta __________;
Bronson CROOK, Self, born c, 1845 in IL
Marietta CROOK, Wife, born c. 1858 in IL
Henry L. CROOK, Son, born c. 1877 in IL
Ruben L. CROOK, Son, born c. 1879 in IL
At the time of the 1880 census, Tazewell Bower/Bower is found in Godfrey, Madison County, Illinois. He is listed as a Retired Farmer;
Tazwell Bowers Self M 67 Germany
Cresent Bowers Wife F 67 Germany
Now to continue with the military record of our Joseph Bower/Bowers;
On August 13, 1862, Joseph Bowers (Bower) volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Chillicothe, Illinois, and in the townships immediately north and west of Chillicothe, including Halleck Township in Peoria County and LaPrairie and Saratoga Townships in Marshall County. This company was being raised by John H. Batchelder, who operated the Ferry at Chillicothe, and Dr. Joseph Thomas, a Chillicothe area Physician. When he volunteered, Joseph Bowers gave his residence as Chillicothe, Illinois.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BOWERS, JOSEPH
Rank PVT Company C Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence CHILLICOTHE, PEORIA CO, IL Age 25 Height 5' 10 1/2 Hair LIGHT
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation BUTCHER
Nativity ALTON, MADISON CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 12, 1862 Joined Where CHILLICOTHE, IL
Joined By Whom J H BATCHELDER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DESERTED AT NASHVILLE TENN MAY 18, 1863
When Batchelder and Thomas had almost 100 volunteers, they led the Chillicothe area company into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Batchelder, Thomas and 87 of their volunteers were mustered into service as Co. C of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Dr. Thomas was elected by the men of Co. C to serve as their Captain, while Batchelder was elected to serve as their 1st Lieutenant.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, to the railroad depot, where they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois. Somewhere in the Peoria crowd may have been Mrs. Joseph Bower, who would have been pregnant with their 2nd child. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. By early October, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more to come. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee.
The men of McCook's Brigade marched into Nashville on the 7th of November. It then marched on to Edgefield, Tennessee, located a few miles from Nashville, where it remained until the 23rd of November. It was then marched to Mill Creek, where it took up encampment at a place known as Camp Sheridan. On the 9th of December, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade returned to Nashville, where it would go into winter camp.
That first winter in the field was very difficult on the new troops in the field. The History of the 86th states that "About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within. Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time."
The hospitals were full to overflowing and today hundreds and hundreds of Union soldiers who died during that first winter are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery. About February of 1863, back in Peoria County, Mrs. Joseph Bowers was giving birth to her 2nd child, a son, whom she named Joseph Bowers Jr. It would have been a few days, perhaps a few weeks, before Private Joseph Bowers would find out about his a father again of a son, who was named after him. Private Joseph Bowers made it through the winter of 1862/63, but in May of 1863 seems to have disappeared from the Nashville area. He was officially listed as a Deserter on May 18, 1863. He may have been sick and sent home by a Army doctor. We may never know for certain. In any case, Joseph Bowers appears to have made his way back to Illinois as in the 1870 census, we see that Ida has had three more children. As Joseph is not with the family, again, either he has died or has remarried and moved on.
On April 5, 1863, Ansel Crouch, another member of Co. C, was "marked to go to the Convalesent Camp, which were in some sort of Barracks in or near Nashville, Tennessee. Ansel left for the camp on the 8th and almost immediately got a pass to try to go to see some of the boys in their camp and "found the most of the Boys gone to Brentwood Station." Two other members of Co. C, who are known to have been in this Convalesent Camp/Barracks about this same time was Frederick L. Saxton and Albanus L. Jenkins. On April 14, 1863, Ansel mentions that another Co. C boy, "Anson Stillman was down a while at night" and that on the 18th "One of Co. K's men died very sudden." Apparently there was a way to wire money home during those days. On April 19, 1863, Ansel wrote "the Captain came in at night. Edd sent me the money owed me." The following day, Ansel wrote, "sent 50 dollars home by the Captain. James Sirlott (another Co. C boy) came in and several others. Anson Stillman came came down a little while at night." On the 21st Ansel wrote, "Paid the Captain for sending home the money, what he had to pay." On April 23, 1863, Ansel wrote, "the rest that were fit for duty were ordered front. I went to see Anson a while. he had the ague. 2 of the B boys deserted." On April 30, 1863, Ansel wrote, "Saxton & I cook some Greens. they were good. the Dr. gave me some Bloodroot. It was a warm day. I went up to the battery. saw Anson & Jimmy (possibly Sirlott.)"
Ansel started the month of May of 1863 in the Convalesent Camp. On May 2, 1863, he wrote, "Lew Saxton went to the Regt. I went down town..........the Dr. talked of sending us north." By the middle of May of 1863, both Albanus L. Jenkins and Ansel Crouch were doing worse. On May 13, 1863, Ansel noted, "Washed my Napsack and Haversack. the Dr. told Jenkins & myself to be ready to go to the Hospital after dinner. Were sent to No. 2. On May 14th, Ansel noted, "Hospital No. 2, College Hill, Nashville, Tennessee. did not feel very well this morning. had the headache. am waiting to be sent north. don't know when it will be. the Dr. says I must keep my bed." On May 23, 1863, Ansel noted, "I was about the same. the Dr. ordered me to stay in all of the time. Gallop came up from camp & brought me a paper from home. said Jo. Bowers had deserted."
In June 27, 1863, Frederick L. Saxton penned the following in a letter home to his sisters. "I spose George has heard about Jo Bowers deserting. he got as far as Bowling Green and was catched and fetched back. he is here in jail awaiting his trial. he had citizens clothes on. it will be a sore job for him." At this time it is not known what the army decided to do with Joseph Bowers.
It must be noted that in his diary, Private Ansel Crouch, wrote the following on May 15, 1863. "A member of the 10th Michigan was Shot at 12 O'Clock near Ft. Negley for desertion. I was sick to my stomach and threw up my supper." It is not believed that Private Joseph Bowers was shot for desertion as we believe he eventually returned to Peoria County and his family even fathered two more children through his 1st wife, Eliza (____________) Bowers. He may have done some time in prison or he may have just been sent home. On June 15, 1863, Ansel Crouch wrote the following in his diary. "Was a man to be shot but he was repreved." This was not Private Joseph Bowers, as Frederick Saxton, in his letter above, states that as of June 27, 1863, "he is here in jail awaiting his trial. " I believe Joseph Bowers was repreaved.
Now this is where it gets even more confusing.
On February 10, 1870, a Joseph Bower/Bowers is married to a Rosanah Parker in Jackson County, Illinois. According to the FamilySearch.org site, Joseph was married to Rosanna Parks (not Parker) on that date. It further states that Rosanna was born in April of 1852 and died on January 18, 1943 in Sand Ridge Township in Jackson County, Illinois. At the time of the 1870 census, Joseph Bowers is found in Kincaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois;
Joseph Bower M 35 Illinois
Rosemah Bower F 18 Illinois
I find it hard to believe that this is our Joseph Bowers. However, on November 21, 1876, Ida Bowers, the oldest children of Joseph Bower/Bowers and Eliza (___________) Bower, was married to Worth Sewards in Peoria County, Illinois. One child is known to have been to this union, Minnie Seward, before it ended in divorce. At the time of the 1880 census, Ida is again listed as Bowers and her mother is now listed as a Seward, definately, a screw up. But guess where they are found? Murphysboro, Illinois in Jackson County, the following two families are found;
Eliza Seward 38 Keeping House PA
Ida Bowers 21 Divorced IL
Minnie Seward 4 IL
Eliza (__________) Bowers Crook, the wife of Joseph Bowers, who served in the 86th, Ida (Bowers) Seward/Sewards, the oldest child of our Joseph Bowers, and the Joseph Bower/Bowers, that I find it difficult to believe is our Joseph Bowers, have all ended up together in Jackson County, Illinois, together. Here is the way Joseph Bower/Bowers' family appears in Jackson County, Illinois;
Joseph Bowers 44 Farmer IL
Rosanna Bowers 30 IL
Henry E. Bowers 7 IL
Rebecca A. Bowers 5 IL
Ettie Bell Bowers 2 IL
Now Joseph Bower/Bowers and Rosanah (Parks/Parker) Bowers are known to have had the following children;
4. Henry E. Bowers, born c. December of 1873 in Illinois; Henry was apparently married to Ida McBride on October 22, 1899 in Jackson County, Illinois. Ida was born on March 19, 1879 and died on January 22, 1953; According to the FamilySearch.org site Henry died on December 2, 1960 and their earthly remains were laid in the Evergreen Cemetery in Ava, Jackson County, Illinois.
5. Rebecca A. Bowers, born c. 1874/75 in Illinois.
6. Etta Bell "Ettie" Bowers, born c. February 1878 in Illinois; Ettie Bowers and Stephen Abijah Miles occurring on October 12, 1896 in Jackson County, Illinois; Ettie died on October 22, 1935 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
7. Samuel Bowers, born c. August of 1881 in Illinois; Samuel was married 1st to Ada Myrtle Ward and 2nd to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Morber on __________ __, 19__; At the time of the 1910 census, Samuel and Lizzie are found in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois;
Head Samuel S Bower M 28 Illinois
Wife Lizzie Bower F 19 Illinois
Son Evert J Bower M 0 Illinois
Samuel died on January 27, 1929 in Kincaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery.
8. Lura/Laura Bowers, born c. June of 1885/86 in Jackson County, Illinois. Lura/Laura was married to Fred White in 1905. Lura/Laura died on October __, 1961 in Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery in Ava, Jackson County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #96619972.
Now to continue with the biography of Joseph Bowers, of Jackson County, Illinois, and his family;
At the time of the 1900 census, this Joseph and Rosanna Bowers are found in Kinkaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois. His parents according to this census were born in Pennsylvania and he and Rosanna have been married 30 years, which would make their year of marriage about 1870.
Head Joseph Bower M July 1834 66 Illinois
Wife Rosana Bower F 48 Illinois
Son Samuel Bower M 19 Illinois
Daughter Lura Bower F 14 Illinois
At the time of the 1910 census, Joseph and Rosana are found in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois;
Joe Bower Head M 76 Illinois
Rosanna Bower Wife F 58 Illinois
According to the FamilySearch.org site, Joseph Bowers died on February 11, 1917 in Kinkaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois. His mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery, Kinkaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1930 census, Rosanna is found residing with her daughter-in-law, and her family in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois. She is listed as widowed;
Lizzie Bower Head F 37 Illinois
E Jackson Bower Son M 20 Illinois
Lily Bower Daughter F 18 Illinois
Homer Bower Son M 16 Illinois
Peter Bower Son M 14 Illinois
Eileen Bower Daughter F 12 Illinois
Edward Bower Son M 10 Illinois
Lee Bower Son M 7 Illinois
Ralph Bower Son M 3 Illinois
Irene Bower Daughter F 1 Illinois
Rose Ann Bower Mother F 76 Illinois
At the time of the 1940 census, Rosanna Bowers is found residing with her niece and nephew in Sand Ridge Township, Jackson County, Illinois. She is listed as widowed;
Murray Mifflin Head M 49 Illinois
Floy Mifflin Wife F 43 Illinois
Harry Mifflin Son M 20 Illinois
Jimmie D Mifflin Son M 10 Illinois
Grace Mifflin Daughter F 8 Illinois
Sarah Ann Mifflin Mother F 77 Illinois
Rose Ann Bowers Aunt F 88 Illinois
Rosanna Parks Bower died on January 18, 1943 in Kinkaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery beside those of Joseph Bowers.
So, I just don't know what to think. Did our Joseph Bower/Bowers die in the late 1860's, disappear out west or is this Joseph Bower/Bowers in Jackson County, Illinois the same man we find in Peoria County, in 1860?
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Bowers family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Private Joseph Bowers and the Bowers family.)
As of November of 2019, following is what we believe we know about Private Joseph Bower (Bowers), of Co. C of the 86th Illinois.
Private JOSEPH BOWER (BOWERS), Co. C, 86th Illinois
Joseph Bower (Bowers) was born about 1837 in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. A site on FamilySearch.org states that there was a Joseph Bower, who was born in July of 1834 and that he was the son of Samuel Bowers, who was born c. 1801 and who died in 1855, and Cassandra (__________) Bowers, who was born c. 1811 and who died on __________________. It is doubtful that this is our Joseph Bower/Bowers. Our Joseph Bowers is believed to have been the son of Tazewell/Tazwell Bowers and Crissena (___________) Bowers. The 1918 edition of the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Vol. 2, that covers Montgomery County, Illinois, tells ua quite a but about Tazewell Bowers and his family.
Tazewell Bowers is known to have come to America before 1838. He was a Butcher for a number of years in Madison County, Illinois and later farmed in the 1860's and 1870's in Madison County. The children born to Tazewell Bower/Bowers and Crissena (__________) Bower/Bowers includes;
1. Charles Bowers, born c. 1837 in Illinois.
2. Joseph Bowers, born c. 1838 in Illinois.
3. Maria Bowers, born c. 1841/42 in Illinois. Maria was married to Patrick Bradley and they resided in Sioux City, Iowa.
4. Henry Bowers, born c. 1843/44 in Illinois. Eventually resided in Springfield, Illinois.
5. George Bowers, born c. 1846/47 in Illinois.
6. Alexander Bowers, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois. Eventually moved to Texas. At the time of the 1920 census, Alexander is found in Justice Precinct 1, Castro County, Texas. His parents were both born in Germany;
Alex Bowers Head M 70 Illinois
Ellen Bowers Wife F 54 Tennessee
Thomas Bowers Son M 35 Wisconsin
7. Amelia Bowers, born November 20, 1852 in Illinois. Amelia was married to Albert E. Chausee on January 10, 1877. At the time of the 1900 census, the Chausee family is found in Nokomis township Witt vill. (pt.), Montgomery County, Illinois;
Albert Chausse Head M 55 Switzerland
Amelia Chausse Wife F 51 Illinois
Nettie Chausse Daughter F 22 Illinois
Walter Chausse Son M 17 Illinois
Grace M Chausse Daughter F 15 Illinois
Edward Chausse Nephew M 21 Illinois
Amella (Bowers) Chausse died on 21 May 1949 and her mortal remains were laid in the Nokomis Cemetery in Nokomis, Montgomery County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #90339150.
Now to continue with what we know about Tazewell Bowers and the Bowers family;
At the time of the 1850 census, the Bower/Bowers family is found in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. This is believed to be our Joseph Bower/Bowers;
Tazwell Bowers M 38 Germany
Crissena Bowers F 36 Germany
Charles Bowers M 12 Illinois
Joseph Bowers M 11 Illinois
Maria Bowers F 8 Illinois
Henry Bowers M 6 Illinois
George Bowers M 3 Illinois
Alexander Bowers M 0 Illinois
There is a Joseph Bower/Bowers found to have married to Mary Eliza Lee on February 1, 1855 in Jackson County, Illinois. Her maiden name, as seen below, was also listed as Speath. Mary, according to the FamilySearch.org site, was born on September 6, 1838. However she is also listed as having died on February 14, 1856. We believe that our Joseph Bower/Bowers was married to an Eliza _____________ in the mid to late 1850's, but this is just not believed to be our Joseph Bower/Bowers.
At the time of the 1860 census, the Joseph Bower/Bower, who is believed to have enlisted in what was to become Co. C of the 86th Illinois is believed to be the Joseph Bower/Bowers we find living in the village of Chillicothe, Illinois in Peoria County. This is the way the Joseph Bowers and Eliza (____________) Bowers are found in the Village of Chillicothe, Illinois;
Bowers Joseph 22 M Butcher 25 IL
Bowers Eliza 21 F PA
Bowers Ida 1 F IL
From this we see that Joseph and Eliza have one daughter at this time;
1. Ida M. Bowers, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois; On November 21, 1876, Ida Bowers was married to Worth Sewards in Peoria County; Ida and Worth were divorced before 1880; At the time of the 1880 census, Ida is found residing in Jackson County, Illinois with her mother and daughter; Ida and Worth are believed to have had one child, Minnie, who was born c. 1876 in Illinois; On April 24, 1881, Ida M. Bowers was married to John McVerish in Jackson County, Illinois.
Now at the time of the 1870 census, Eliza and Ida are still found in Chillicothe Township in Peoria County, Illinois. Joseph however is not listed, so he has either died or they have been divorced or he is in hiding;
Eliza Bowers F 30 Pennsylvania
Ida Bowers F 11 Illinois
Joseph Bowers M 7 Illinois
Charlie Bowers M 4 Illinois
Louis Bowers M 2 Illinois
From this we see that three more children were apparently born to Joseph and Eliza;
2. Joseph Bowers, born c. 1862/63 in Illinois; Joseph Bowers may be the Joseph Bowers, who is found in Ward 3 of Collinsville, Madison County, Illinois in the 1900, 1910 ad 1940 census records; This Joseph Bowers was born in February of 1863 in Illinois, which would be right on for our Joseph Bowers, and was married to Edna __________; Joseph and Edna had the following children, Josie, Henry, Charles and Joseph Jr.
3. Charles "Charlie" Bowers, born c. 1865/66 in Illinois; On November 18, 1896 a Charles Bowers was married to a Delia Klock in Kane County, Illinois. Charles was 30 years of age, which would place his year of birth about 1866. Charles' father and mother were Joseph Bowers and Eliza (Speath) Bowers. This is almost certainly the 2nd marriage for Charles as at the time of the 1900 census, he has a daughter, Ora Bowers, who was born c. 1891/92 in Illinois. Delia was 21 and her parents were Charles Klock and Ursela Kutin. At the time of the 1900 census, Charles and Delia have been married 3 years and are found in Hyde Park Township, Ward 33 in the City of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. His parents are both listed as having been born in Illinois;
Head Charles Bowers M March 1866 Age 34 Illinois
Wife Delia A Bowers F February 1876 Age 24 Illinois
Daughter Ora Bowers F January 1892 Age 8 Illinois
Boarder Ira Michael M 24 Illinois
Boarder Edward Owens M 30 Ohio
At the time of the 1910 census, Charles and Delia are found in Hall, Bureau County, Illinois;
Head Charles Bowers M 43 Illinois
Wife Dellia Bowers F 34 Illinois
Son Ora Bowers M 18 Illinois
4. Louis Bowers, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
On November 25, 1871, Mrs. Eliza Bowers was married to Brunson Crook in Peoria County, Illinois, further pointing to the fact that Joseph Bower/Bowers is either dead or they are divorced. This marriage died not last long as at the time of the 1880 census, Bronson Crook is found in Chillicothe Township in Peoria County, but, he is married to a Marietta __________;
Bronson CROOK, Self, born c, 1845 in IL
Marietta CROOK, Wife, born c. 1858 in IL
Henry L. CROOK, Son, born c. 1877 in IL
Ruben L. CROOK, Son, born c. 1879 in IL
At the time of the 1880 census, Tazewell Bower/Bower is found in Godfrey, Madison County, Illinois. He is listed as a Retired Farmer;
Tazwell Bowers Self M 67 Germany
Cresent Bowers Wife F 67 Germany
Now to continue with the military record of our Joseph Bower/Bowers;
On August 13, 1862, Joseph Bowers (Bower) volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Chillicothe, Illinois, and in the townships immediately north and west of Chillicothe, including Halleck Township in Peoria County and LaPrairie and Saratoga Townships in Marshall County. This company was being raised by John H. Batchelder, who operated the Ferry at Chillicothe, and Dr. Joseph Thomas, a Chillicothe area Physician. When he volunteered, Joseph Bowers gave his residence as Chillicothe, Illinois.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BOWERS, JOSEPH
Rank PVT Company C Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence CHILLICOTHE, PEORIA CO, IL Age 25 Height 5' 10 1/2 Hair LIGHT
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation BUTCHER
Nativity ALTON, MADISON CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 12, 1862 Joined Where CHILLICOTHE, IL
Joined By Whom J H BATCHELDER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DESERTED AT NASHVILLE TENN MAY 18, 1863
When Batchelder and Thomas had almost 100 volunteers, they led the Chillicothe area company into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Batchelder, Thomas and 87 of their volunteers were mustered into service as Co. C of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Dr. Thomas was elected by the men of Co. C to serve as their Captain, while Batchelder was elected to serve as their 1st Lieutenant.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, to the railroad depot, where they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois. Somewhere in the Peoria crowd may have been Mrs. Joseph Bower, who would have been pregnant with their 2nd child. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. By early October, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more to come. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee.
The men of McCook's Brigade marched into Nashville on the 7th of November. It then marched on to Edgefield, Tennessee, located a few miles from Nashville, where it remained until the 23rd of November. It was then marched to Mill Creek, where it took up encampment at a place known as Camp Sheridan. On the 9th of December, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade returned to Nashville, where it would go into winter camp.
That first winter in the field was very difficult on the new troops in the field. The History of the 86th states that "About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within. Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time."
The hospitals were full to overflowing and today hundreds and hundreds of Union soldiers who died during that first winter are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery. About February of 1863, back in Peoria County, Mrs. Joseph Bowers was giving birth to her 2nd child, a son, whom she named Joseph Bowers Jr. It would have been a few days, perhaps a few weeks, before Private Joseph Bowers would find out about his a father again of a son, who was named after him. Private Joseph Bowers made it through the winter of 1862/63, but in May of 1863 seems to have disappeared from the Nashville area. He was officially listed as a Deserter on May 18, 1863. He may have been sick and sent home by a Army doctor. We may never know for certain. In any case, Joseph Bowers appears to have made his way back to Illinois as in the 1870 census, we see that Ida has had three more children. As Joseph is not with the family, again, either he has died or has remarried and moved on.
On April 5, 1863, Ansel Crouch, another member of Co. C, was "marked to go to the Convalesent Camp, which were in some sort of Barracks in or near Nashville, Tennessee. Ansel left for the camp on the 8th and almost immediately got a pass to try to go to see some of the boys in their camp and "found the most of the Boys gone to Brentwood Station." Two other members of Co. C, who are known to have been in this Convalesent Camp/Barracks about this same time was Frederick L. Saxton and Albanus L. Jenkins. On April 14, 1863, Ansel mentions that another Co. C boy, "Anson Stillman was down a while at night" and that on the 18th "One of Co. K's men died very sudden." Apparently there was a way to wire money home during those days. On April 19, 1863, Ansel wrote "the Captain came in at night. Edd sent me the money owed me." The following day, Ansel wrote, "sent 50 dollars home by the Captain. James Sirlott (another Co. C boy) came in and several others. Anson Stillman came came down a little while at night." On the 21st Ansel wrote, "Paid the Captain for sending home the money, what he had to pay." On April 23, 1863, Ansel wrote, "the rest that were fit for duty were ordered front. I went to see Anson a while. he had the ague. 2 of the B boys deserted." On April 30, 1863, Ansel wrote, "Saxton & I cook some Greens. they were good. the Dr. gave me some Bloodroot. It was a warm day. I went up to the battery. saw Anson & Jimmy (possibly Sirlott.)"
Ansel started the month of May of 1863 in the Convalesent Camp. On May 2, 1863, he wrote, "Lew Saxton went to the Regt. I went down town..........the Dr. talked of sending us north." By the middle of May of 1863, both Albanus L. Jenkins and Ansel Crouch were doing worse. On May 13, 1863, Ansel noted, "Washed my Napsack and Haversack. the Dr. told Jenkins & myself to be ready to go to the Hospital after dinner. Were sent to No. 2. On May 14th, Ansel noted, "Hospital No. 2, College Hill, Nashville, Tennessee. did not feel very well this morning. had the headache. am waiting to be sent north. don't know when it will be. the Dr. says I must keep my bed." On May 23, 1863, Ansel noted, "I was about the same. the Dr. ordered me to stay in all of the time. Gallop came up from camp & brought me a paper from home. said Jo. Bowers had deserted."
In June 27, 1863, Frederick L. Saxton penned the following in a letter home to his sisters. "I spose George has heard about Jo Bowers deserting. he got as far as Bowling Green and was catched and fetched back. he is here in jail awaiting his trial. he had citizens clothes on. it will be a sore job for him." At this time it is not known what the army decided to do with Joseph Bowers.
It must be noted that in his diary, Private Ansel Crouch, wrote the following on May 15, 1863. "A member of the 10th Michigan was Shot at 12 O'Clock near Ft. Negley for desertion. I was sick to my stomach and threw up my supper." It is not believed that Private Joseph Bowers was shot for desertion as we believe he eventually returned to Peoria County and his family even fathered two more children through his 1st wife, Eliza (____________) Bowers. He may have done some time in prison or he may have just been sent home. On June 15, 1863, Ansel Crouch wrote the following in his diary. "Was a man to be shot but he was repreved." This was not Private Joseph Bowers, as Frederick Saxton, in his letter above, states that as of June 27, 1863, "he is here in jail awaiting his trial. " I believe Joseph Bowers was repreaved.
Now this is where it gets even more confusing.
On February 10, 1870, a Joseph Bower/Bowers is married to a Rosanah Parker in Jackson County, Illinois. According to the FamilySearch.org site, Joseph was married to Rosanna Parks (not Parker) on that date. It further states that Rosanna was born in April of 1852 and died on January 18, 1943 in Sand Ridge Township in Jackson County, Illinois. At the time of the 1870 census, Joseph Bowers is found in Kincaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois;
Joseph Bower M 35 Illinois
Rosemah Bower F 18 Illinois
I find it hard to believe that this is our Joseph Bowers. However, on November 21, 1876, Ida Bowers, the oldest children of Joseph Bower/Bowers and Eliza (___________) Bower, was married to Worth Sewards in Peoria County, Illinois. One child is known to have been to this union, Minnie Seward, before it ended in divorce. At the time of the 1880 census, Ida is again listed as Bowers and her mother is now listed as a Seward, definately, a screw up. But guess where they are found? Murphysboro, Illinois in Jackson County, the following two families are found;
Eliza Seward 38 Keeping House PA
Ida Bowers 21 Divorced IL
Minnie Seward 4 IL
Eliza (__________) Bowers Crook, the wife of Joseph Bowers, who served in the 86th, Ida (Bowers) Seward/Sewards, the oldest child of our Joseph Bowers, and the Joseph Bower/Bowers, that I find it difficult to believe is our Joseph Bowers, have all ended up together in Jackson County, Illinois, together. Here is the way Joseph Bower/Bowers' family appears in Jackson County, Illinois;
Joseph Bowers 44 Farmer IL
Rosanna Bowers 30 IL
Henry E. Bowers 7 IL
Rebecca A. Bowers 5 IL
Ettie Bell Bowers 2 IL
Now Joseph Bower/Bowers and Rosanah (Parks/Parker) Bowers are known to have had the following children;
4. Henry E. Bowers, born c. December of 1873 in Illinois; Henry was apparently married to Ida McBride on October 22, 1899 in Jackson County, Illinois. Ida was born on March 19, 1879 and died on January 22, 1953; According to the FamilySearch.org site Henry died on December 2, 1960 and their earthly remains were laid in the Evergreen Cemetery in Ava, Jackson County, Illinois.
5. Rebecca A. Bowers, born c. 1874/75 in Illinois.
6. Etta Bell "Ettie" Bowers, born c. February 1878 in Illinois; Ettie Bowers and Stephen Abijah Miles occurring on October 12, 1896 in Jackson County, Illinois; Ettie died on October 22, 1935 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
7. Samuel Bowers, born c. August of 1881 in Illinois; Samuel was married 1st to Ada Myrtle Ward and 2nd to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Morber on __________ __, 19__; At the time of the 1910 census, Samuel and Lizzie are found in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois;
Head Samuel S Bower M 28 Illinois
Wife Lizzie Bower F 19 Illinois
Son Evert J Bower M 0 Illinois
Samuel died on January 27, 1929 in Kincaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery.
8. Lura/Laura Bowers, born c. June of 1885/86 in Jackson County, Illinois. Lura/Laura was married to Fred White in 1905. Lura/Laura died on October __, 1961 in Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery in Ava, Jackson County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #96619972.
Now to continue with the biography of Joseph Bowers, of Jackson County, Illinois, and his family;
At the time of the 1900 census, this Joseph and Rosanna Bowers are found in Kinkaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois. His parents according to this census were born in Pennsylvania and he and Rosanna have been married 30 years, which would make their year of marriage about 1870.
Head Joseph Bower M July 1834 66 Illinois
Wife Rosana Bower F 48 Illinois
Son Samuel Bower M 19 Illinois
Daughter Lura Bower F 14 Illinois
At the time of the 1910 census, Joseph and Rosana are found in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois;
Joe Bower Head M 76 Illinois
Rosanna Bower Wife F 58 Illinois
According to the FamilySearch.org site, Joseph Bowers died on February 11, 1917 in Kinkaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois. His mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery, Kinkaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1930 census, Rosanna is found residing with her daughter-in-law, and her family in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois. She is listed as widowed;
Lizzie Bower Head F 37 Illinois
E Jackson Bower Son M 20 Illinois
Lily Bower Daughter F 18 Illinois
Homer Bower Son M 16 Illinois
Peter Bower Son M 14 Illinois
Eileen Bower Daughter F 12 Illinois
Edward Bower Son M 10 Illinois
Lee Bower Son M 7 Illinois
Ralph Bower Son M 3 Illinois
Irene Bower Daughter F 1 Illinois
Rose Ann Bower Mother F 76 Illinois
At the time of the 1940 census, Rosanna Bowers is found residing with her niece and nephew in Sand Ridge Township, Jackson County, Illinois. She is listed as widowed;
Murray Mifflin Head M 49 Illinois
Floy Mifflin Wife F 43 Illinois
Harry Mifflin Son M 20 Illinois
Jimmie D Mifflin Son M 10 Illinois
Grace Mifflin Daughter F 8 Illinois
Sarah Ann Mifflin Mother F 77 Illinois
Rose Ann Bowers Aunt F 88 Illinois
Rosanna Parks Bower died on January 18, 1943 in Kinkaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery beside those of Joseph Bowers.
So, I just don't know what to think. Did our Joseph Bower/Bowers die in the late 1860's, disappear out west or is this Joseph Bower/Bowers in Jackson County, Illinois the same man we find in Peoria County, in 1860?
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Bowers family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Private Joseph Bowers and the Bowers family.)
Private JOSEPH BOWER (BOWERS), Co. C, 86th Illinois
Joseph Bower (Bowers) was born about 1837 in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. A site on FamilySearch.org states that there was a Joseph Bower, who was born in July of 1834 and that he was the son of Samuel Bowers, who was born c. 1801 and who died in 1855, and Cassandra (__________) Bowers, who was born c. 1811 and who died on __________________. It is doubtful that this is our Joseph Bower/Bowers. Our Joseph Bowers is believed to have been the son of Tazewell/Tazwell Bowers and Crissena (___________) Bowers. The 1918 edition of the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Vol. 2, that covers Montgomery County, Illinois, tells ua quite a but about Tazewell Bowers and his family.
Tazewell Bowers is known to have come to America before 1838. He was a Butcher for a number of years in Madison County, Illinois and later farmed in the 1860's and 1870's in Madison County. The children born to Tazewell Bower/Bowers and Crissena (__________) Bower/Bowers includes;
1. Charles Bowers, born c. 1837 in Illinois.
2. Joseph Bowers, born c. 1838 in Illinois.
3. Maria Bowers, born c. 1841/42 in Illinois. Maria was married to Patrick Bradley and they resided in Sioux City, Iowa.
4. Henry Bowers, born c. 1843/44 in Illinois. Eventually resided in Springfield, Illinois.
5. George Bowers, born c. 1846/47 in Illinois.
6. Alexander Bowers, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois. Eventually moved to Texas. At the time of the 1920 census, Alexander is found in Justice Precinct 1, Castro County, Texas. His parents were both born in Germany;
Alex Bowers Head M 70 Illinois
Ellen Bowers Wife F 54 Tennessee
Thomas Bowers Son M 35 Wisconsin
7. Amelia Bowers, born November 20, 1852 in Illinois. Amelia was married to Albert E. Chausee on January 10, 1877. At the time of the 1900 census, the Chausee family is found in Nokomis township Witt vill. (pt.), Montgomery County, Illinois;
Albert Chausse Head M 55 Switzerland
Amelia Chausse Wife F 51 Illinois
Nettie Chausse Daughter F 22 Illinois
Walter Chausse Son M 17 Illinois
Grace M Chausse Daughter F 15 Illinois
Edward Chausse Nephew M 21 Illinois
Amella (Bowers) Chausse died on 21 May 1949 and her mortal remains were laid in the Nokomis Cemetery in Nokomis, Montgomery County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #90339150.
Now to continue with what we know about Tazewell Bowers and the Bowers family;
At the time of the 1850 census, the Bower/Bowers family is found in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. This is believed to be our Joseph Bower/Bowers;
Tazwell Bowers M 38 Germany
Crissena Bowers F 36 Germany
Charles Bowers M 12 Illinois
Joseph Bowers M 11 Illinois
Maria Bowers F 8 Illinois
Henry Bowers M 6 Illinois
George Bowers M 3 Illinois
Alexander Bowers M 0 Illinois
There is a Joseph Bower/Bowers found to have married to Mary Eliza Lee on February 1, 1855 in Jackson County, Illinois. Her maiden name, as seen below, was also listed as Speath. Mary, according to the FamilySearch.org site, was born on September 6, 1838. However she is also listed as having died on February 14, 1856. We believe that our Joseph Bower/Bowers was married to an Eliza _____________ in the mid to late 1850's, but this is just not believed to be our Joseph Bower/Bowers.
At the time of the 1860 census, the Joseph Bower/Bower, who is believed to have enlisted in what was to become Co. C of the 86th Illinois is believed to be the Joseph Bower/Bowers we find living in the village of Chillicothe, Illinois in Peoria County. This is the way the Joseph Bowers and Eliza (____________) Bowers are found in the Village of Chillicothe, Illinois;
Bowers Joseph 22 M Butcher 25 IL
Bowers Eliza 21 F PA
Bowers Ida 1 F IL
From this we see that Joseph and Eliza have one daughter at this time;
1. Ida M. Bowers, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois; On November 21, 1876, Ida Bowers was married to Worth Sewards in Peoria County; Ida and Worth were divorced before 1880; At the time of the 1880 census, Ida is found residing in Jackson County, Illinois with her mother and daughter; Ida and Worth are believed to have had one child, Minnie, who was born c. 1876 in Illinois; On April 24, 1881, Ida M. Bowers was married to John McVerish in Jackson County, Illinois.
Now at the time of the 1870 census, Eliza and Ida are still found in Chillicothe Township in Peoria County, Illinois. Joseph however is not listed, so he has either died or they have been divorced or he is in hiding;
Eliza Bowers F 30 Pennsylvania
Ida Bowers F 11 Illinois
Joseph Bowers M 7 Illinois
Charlie Bowers M 4 Illinois
Louis Bowers M 2 Illinois
From this we see that three more children were apparently born to Joseph and Eliza;
2. Joseph Bowers, born c. 1862/63 in Illinois; Joseph Bowers may be the Joseph Bowers, who is found in Ward 3 of Collinsville, Madison County, Illinois in the 1900, 1910 ad 1940 census records; This Joseph Bowers was born in February of 1863 in Illinois, which would be right on for our Joseph Bowers, and was married to Edna __________; Joseph and Edna had the following children, Josie, Henry, Charles and Joseph Jr.
3. Charles "Charlie" Bowers, born c. 1865/66 in Illinois; On November 18, 1896 a Charles Bowers was married to a Delia Klock in Kane County, Illinois. Charles was 30 years of age, which would place his year of birth about 1866. Charles' father and mother were Joseph Bowers and Eliza (Speath) Bowers. This is almost certainly the 2nd marriage for Charles as at the time of the 1900 census, he has a daughter, Ora Bowers, who was born c. 1891/92 in Illinois. Delia was 21 and her parents were Charles Klock and Ursela Kutin. At the time of the 1900 census, Charles and Delia have been married 3 years and are found in Hyde Park Township, Ward 33 in the City of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. His parents are both listed as having been born in Illinois;
Head Charles Bowers M March 1866 Age 34 Illinois
Wife Delia A Bowers F February 1876 Age 24 Illinois
Daughter Ora Bowers F January 1892 Age 8 Illinois
Boarder Ira Michael M 24 Illinois
Boarder Edward Owens M 30 Ohio
At the time of the 1910 census, Charles and Delia are found in Hall, Bureau County, Illinois;
Head Charles Bowers M 43 Illinois
Wife Dellia Bowers F 34 Illinois
Son Ora Bowers M 18 Illinois
4. Louis Bowers, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
On November 25, 1871, Mrs. Eliza Bowers was married to Brunson Crook in Peoria County, Illinois, further pointing to the fact that Joseph Bower/Bowers is either dead or they are divorced. This marriage died not last long as at the time of the 1880 census, Bronson Crook is found in Chillicothe Township in Peoria County, but, he is married to a Marietta __________;
Bronson CROOK, Self, born c, 1845 in IL
Marietta CROOK, Wife, born c. 1858 in IL
Henry L. CROOK, Son, born c. 1877 in IL
Ruben L. CROOK, Son, born c. 1879 in IL
At the time of the 1880 census, Tazewell Bower/Bower is found in Godfrey, Madison County, Illinois. He is listed as a Retired Farmer;
Tazwell Bowers Self M 67 Germany
Cresent Bowers Wife F 67 Germany
Now to continue with the military record of our Joseph Bower/Bowers;
On August 13, 1862, Joseph Bowers (Bower) volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Chillicothe, Illinois, and in the townships immediately north and west of Chillicothe, including Halleck Township in Peoria County and LaPrairie and Saratoga Townships in Marshall County. This company was being raised by John H. Batchelder, who operated the Ferry at Chillicothe, and Dr. Joseph Thomas, a Chillicothe area Physician. When he volunteered, Joseph Bowers gave his residence as Chillicothe, Illinois.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BOWERS, JOSEPH
Rank PVT Company C Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence CHILLICOTHE, PEORIA CO, IL Age 25 Height 5' 10 1/2 Hair LIGHT
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation BUTCHER
Nativity ALTON, MADISON CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 12, 1862 Joined Where CHILLICOTHE, IL
Joined By Whom J H BATCHELDER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DESERTED AT NASHVILLE TENN MAY 18, 1863
When Batchelder and Thomas had almost 100 volunteers, they led the Chillicothe area company into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Batchelder, Thomas and 87 of their volunteers were mustered into service as Co. C of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Dr. Thomas was elected by the men of Co. C to serve as their Captain, while Batchelder was elected to serve as their 1st Lieutenant.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, to the railroad depot, where they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois. Somewhere in the Peoria crowd may have been Mrs. Joseph Bower, who would have been pregnant with their 2nd child. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. By early October, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more to come. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee.
The men of McCook's Brigade marched into Nashville on the 7th of November. It then marched on to Edgefield, Tennessee, located a few miles from Nashville, where it remained until the 23rd of November. It was then marched to Mill Creek, where it took up encampment at a place known as Camp Sheridan. On the 9th of December, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade returned to Nashville, where it would go into winter camp.
That first winter in the field was very difficult on the new troops in the field. The History of the 86th states that "About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within. Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time."
The hospitals were full to overflowing and today hundreds and hundreds of Union soldiers who died during that first winter are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery. About February of 1863, back in Peoria County, Mrs. Joseph Bowers was giving birth to her 2nd child, a son, whom she named Joseph Bowers Jr. It would have been a few days, perhaps a few weeks, before Private Joseph Bowers would find out about his a father again of a son, who was named after him. Private Joseph Bowers made it through the winter of 1862/63, but in May of 1863 seems to have disappeared from the Nashville area. He was officially listed as a Deserter on May 18, 1863. He may have been sick and sent home by a Army doctor. We may never know for certain. In any case, Joseph Bowers appears to have made his way back to Illinois as in the 1870 census, we see that Ida has had three more children. As Joseph is not with the family, again, either he has died or has remarried and moved on.
On April 5, 1863, Ansel Crouch, another member of Co. C, was "marked to go to the Convalesent Camp, which were in some sort of Barracks in or near Nashville, Tennessee. Ansel left for the camp on the 8th and almost immediately got a pass to try to go to see some of the boys in their camp and "found the most of the Boys gone to Brentwood Station." Two other members of Co. C, who are known to have been in this Convalesent Camp/Barracks about this same time was Frederick L. Saxton and Albanus L. Jenkins. On April 14, 1863, Ansel mentions that another Co. C boy, "Anson Stillman was down a while at night" and that on the 18th "One of Co. K's men died very sudden." Apparently there was a way to wire money home during those days. On April 19, 1863, Ansel wrote "the Captain came in at night. Edd sent me the money owed me." The following day, Ansel wrote, "sent 50 dollars home by the Captain. James Sirlott (another Co. C boy) came in and several others. Anson Stillman came came down a little while at night." On the 21st Ansel wrote, "Paid the Captain for sending home the money, what he had to pay." On April 23, 1863, Ansel wrote, "the rest that were fit for duty were ordered front. I went to see Anson a while. he had the ague. 2 of the B boys deserted." On April 30, 1863, Ansel wrote, "Saxton & I cook some Greens. they were good. the Dr. gave me some Bloodroot. It was a warm day. I went up to the battery. saw Anson & Jimmy (possibly Sirlott.)"
Ansel started the month of May of 1863 in the Convalesent Camp. On May 2, 1863, he wrote, "Lew Saxton went to the Regt. I went down town..........the Dr. talked of sending us north." By the middle of May of 1863, both Albanus L. Jenkins and Ansel Crouch were doing worse. On May 13, 1863, Ansel noted, "Washed my Napsack and Haversack. the Dr. told Jenkins & myself to be ready to go to the Hospital after dinner. Were sent to No. 2. On May 14th, Ansel noted, "Hospital No. 2, College Hill, Nashville, Tennessee. did not feel very well this morning. had the headache. am waiting to be sent north. don't know when it will be. the Dr. says I must keep my bed." On May 23, 1863, Ansel noted, "I was about the same. the Dr. ordered me to stay in all of the time. Gallop came up from camp & brought me a paper from home. said Jo. Bowers had deserted."
In June 27, 1863, Frederick L. Saxton penned the following in a letter home to his sisters. "I spose George has heard about Jo Bowers deserting. he got as far as Bowling Green and was catched and fetched back. he is here in jail awaiting his trial. he had citizens clothes on. it will be a sore job for him." At this time it is not known what the army decided to do with Joseph Bowers.
It must be noted that in his diary, Private Ansel Crouch, wrote the following on May 15, 1863. "A member of the 10th Michigan was Shot at 12 O'Clock near Ft. Negley for desertion. I was sick to my stomach and threw up my supper." It is not believed that Private Joseph Bowers was shot for desertion as we believe he eventually returned to Peoria County and his family even fathered two more children through his 1st wife, Eliza (____________) Bowers. He may have done some time in prison or he may have just been sent home. On June 15, 1863, Ansel Crouch wrote the following in his diary. "Was a man to be shot but he was repreved." This was not Private Joseph Bowers, as Frederick Saxton, in his letter above, states that as of June 27, 1863, "he is here in jail awaiting his trial. " I believe Joseph Bowers was repreaved.
Now this is where it gets even more confusing.
On February 10, 1870, a Joseph Bower/Bowers is married to a Rosanah Parker in Jackson County, Illinois. According to the FamilySearch.org site, Joseph was married to Rosanna Parks (not Parker) on that date. It further states that Rosanna was born in April of 1852 and died on January 18, 1943 in Sand Ridge Township in Jackson County, Illinois. At the time of the 1870 census, Joseph Bowers is found in Kincaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois;
Joseph Bower M 35 Illinois
Rosemah Bower F 18 Illinois
I find it hard to believe that this is our Joseph Bowers. However, on November 21, 1876, Ida Bowers, the oldest children of Joseph Bower/Bowers and Eliza (___________) Bower, was married to Worth Sewards in Peoria County, Illinois. One child is known to have been to this union, Minnie Seward, before it ended in divorce. At the time of the 1880 census, Ida is again listed as Bowers and her mother is now listed as a Seward, definately, a screw up. But guess where they are found? Murphysboro, Illinois in Jackson County, the following two families are found;
Eliza Seward 38 Keeping House PA
Ida Bowers 21 Divorced IL
Minnie Seward 4 IL
Eliza (__________) Bowers Crook, the wife of Joseph Bowers, who served in the 86th, Ida (Bowers) Seward/Sewards, the oldest child of our Joseph Bowers, and the Joseph Bower/Bowers, that I find it difficult to believe is our Joseph Bowers, have all ended up together in Jackson County, Illinois, together. Here is the way Joseph Bower/Bowers' family appears in Jackson County, Illinois;
Joseph Bowers 44 Farmer IL
Rosanna Bowers 30 IL
Henry E. Bowers 7 IL
Rebecca A. Bowers 5 IL
Ettie Bell Bowers 2 IL
Now Joseph Bower/Bowers and Rosanah (Parks/Parker) Bowers are known to have had the following children;
4. Henry E. Bowers, born c. December of 1873 in Illinois; Henry was apparently married to Ida McBride on October 22, 1899 in Jackson County, Illinois. Ida was born on March 19, 1879 and died on January 22, 1953; According to the FamilySearch.org site Henry died on December 2, 1960 and their earthly remains were laid in the Evergreen Cemetery in Ava, Jackson County, Illinois.
5. Rebecca A. Bowers, born c. 1874/75 in Illinois.
6. Etta Bell "Ettie" Bowers, born c. February 1878 in Illinois; Ettie Bowers and Stephen Abijah Miles occurring on October 12, 1896 in Jackson County, Illinois; Ettie died on October 22, 1935 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
7. Samuel Bowers, born c. August of 1881 in Illinois; Samuel was married 1st to Ada Myrtle Ward and 2nd to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Morber on __________ __, 19__; At the time of the 1910 census, Samuel and Lizzie are found in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois;
Head Samuel S Bower M 28 Illinois
Wife Lizzie Bower F 19 Illinois
Son Evert J Bower M 0 Illinois
Samuel died on January 27, 1929 in Kincaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery.
8. Lura/Laura Bowers, born c. June of 1885/86 in Jackson County, Illinois. Lura/Laura was married to Fred White in 1905. Lura/Laura died on October __, 1961 in Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery in Ava, Jackson County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #96619972.
Now to continue with the biography of Joseph Bowers, of Jackson County, Illinois, and his family;
At the time of the 1900 census, this Joseph and Rosanna Bowers are found in Kinkaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois. His parents according to this census were born in Pennsylvania and he and Rosanna have been married 30 years, which would make their year of marriage about 1870.
Head Joseph Bower M July 1834 66 Illinois
Wife Rosana Bower F 48 Illinois
Son Samuel Bower M 19 Illinois
Daughter Lura Bower F 14 Illinois
At the time of the 1910 census, Joseph and Rosana are found in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois;
Joe Bower Head M 76 Illinois
Rosanna Bower Wife F 58 Illinois
According to the FamilySearch.org site, Joseph Bowers died on February 11, 1917 in Kinkaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois. His mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery, Kinkaid Township in Jackson County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1930 census, Rosanna is found residing with her daughter-in-law, and her family in Kinkaid, Jackson County, Illinois. She is listed as widowed;
Lizzie Bower Head F 37 Illinois
E Jackson Bower Son M 20 Illinois
Lily Bower Daughter F 18 Illinois
Homer Bower Son M 16 Illinois
Peter Bower Son M 14 Illinois
Eileen Bower Daughter F 12 Illinois
Edward Bower Son M 10 Illinois
Lee Bower Son M 7 Illinois
Ralph Bower Son M 3 Illinois
Irene Bower Daughter F 1 Illinois
Rose Ann Bower Mother F 76 Illinois
At the time of the 1940 census, Rosanna Bowers is found residing with her niece and nephew in Sand Ridge Township, Jackson County, Illinois. She is listed as widowed;
Murray Mifflin Head M 49 Illinois
Floy Mifflin Wife F 43 Illinois
Harry Mifflin Son M 20 Illinois
Jimmie D Mifflin Son M 10 Illinois
Grace Mifflin Daughter F 8 Illinois
Sarah Ann Mifflin Mother F 77 Illinois
Rose Ann Bowers Aunt F 88 Illinois
Rosanna Parks Bower died on January 18, 1943 in Kinkaid Township, Jackson County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Crain Cemetery beside those of Joseph Bowers.
So, I just don't know what to think. Did our Joseph Bower/Bowers die in the late 1860's, disappear out west or is this Joseph Bower/Bowers in Jackson County, Illinois the same man we find in Peoria County, in 1860?
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Bowers family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Private Joseph Bowers and the Bowers family.)
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