Son of Johannes Ludwig aka John Lewis Bower and Christina Johanna Catherine Schanauffer.

Occupation: Merchant

MO d/c 19529

Six Brothers All Past 70 Years Of Age At Bethel, Mo
SHELBYVILLE, Mo., March 20.-Bethel has probably the oldest family of brothers in northeast Missouri . They range in age from 70 to 87 and one sister, Mrs Mary Stecher of Camp Point, Ill., is in her 68th year.
They were the children of John and Christina Bower, both natives of Germany, who came to this country from Indiana in 1864. Their father died at the age of 72 and the mother at the age of 54. Of a family of twelve children six brothers and one sister survive.
The brothers are J. C. Bower, 87 years old; T. L. Bower, 85; S. F. Bower, 83; W. C. Bower, 78; A. B. Bower, 73; and D. B. Bower, 70. The wives of all except S. F. Bowers are also living. A sister, Mrs C. C. Sipple, recently died at the age of 75.
Not only do these brothers enjoy the distinction of being the oldest family of brothers in the county and perhaps the state, but they are among the county's most substantial business men.
The Quincy Daily Whig, Friday, March 26, 1920; Page: 10

FUNERAL SERVICES SUNDAY FOR BETHEL MAN; DIED FRIDAY
Walter C. Bower Was Lifelong Resident of Bethel—Conducted Store.
Bethel. Mo., June 14.—Funeral services will be conducted Sunday afternoon by the Rev. C. F. Stecher of Camp Point for Walter C. Bower, a life-long resident of Bethel, Mo., who died at 1 a. m. Friday. Mr. Bower was born in Beaver countv, Pa., September 21, 1841, and came to Bethel. Mo., with his parents in 1845. He spent the remainder of his life in Bethel with the exception of one and one-half years which he spent in the state of Oregon.
He was married to Miss Katherine Fuchs in 1876. To them eight children were born, one dying in infancy, and the eldest daughter. Mrs. W. R. Velte of Denver, Colo., died in December, 1923.
The wife and the following children survive: Mrs. F. B. Morriss, of Green City, Mo., Miss Nora at home, Walter G. and Monroe G. at Bethel and C W. Bower of Kansas City; Adam F. of Denver. Colo. Three brothers. David, Theodore and August of Bethel, Mo., and one sister, Mrs. C. F. Stecher of Camp Point, Ill., also survive.
Mr. Bower early in his life manufactured furniture, and later was in the furniture and undertaking business. After the death of his brother, George, he acquired the hardware and implement business which he conducted for seventeen years, finally selling to two of his sons.
The Quincy Daily Herald, Saturday, June 14, 1924; Page: 14

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1850 United States Federal Censusw
Name: Walter Bower
Age: 8
Birth Year: abt 1842
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1850: Bethel, Shelby, Missouri, USA
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
John Bower 49
Christina Bower 38
John Bower 17
Theodore Bower 15
Samuel Bower 13
Helmend Bower 10
Walter Bower 8
Christina Bower 5
August Bower 3

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Walter Baner
[Walter Bauer]
Age: 18
Birth Year: abt 1842
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Bethel, Shelby, Missouri
Post Office: Bethel
Occupation: Cabinet Maker
Household Members: Name Age
John Baner 59
Christina Baner 48
John Baner 26
Theodore Baner 25
Samuel Baner 22
Walter Baner 18
Christina Baner 16
Auguste Baner 14
David Baner 12
George Baner 10
Miranda Baner 6
William Baner 4
Catherine Shnauffer 23

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Walter C. Bower
Age: 38
Birth Date: Abt 1842
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Bethel, Shelby, Missouri, USA
Street: King Street
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Catharine Bower
Father's Birthplace: Wurtembery
Mother's Birthplace: Wurtembery
Occupation: Cabinet Maker
Household Members: Name Age
Walter C. Bower 38
Catharine Bower 27
Annie Bower 3/12
Henry Frichs 17

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Walter Bower
[Walder Bower]
Age: 59
Birth Date: Sep 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Bethel, Shelby, Missouri
Street: King St
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Catheran Bower
Marriage Year: 1876
Years Married: 24
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Occupation: Hardware Merchant
Household Members: Name Age
Walter Bower 59
Catheran Bower 49
Anna C Bower 20
Ida M Bower 18
Walter G Bower 16
Nora C Bower 12
Adam F Bower 10
Clarence W Bower 7
Monroe G Bower 4

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Walter C Bower
Age in 1910: 68
Birth Year: abt 1842
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1910: Bethel, Shelby, Missouri
Street: King St
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Kate Bower
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Occupation: Merchant
Industry: Hardware
Years Married: 32
Household Members: Name Age
Walter C Bower 68
Kate Bower 59
Nora Bower 23
Adam F Bower 20
Clarence Bower 17
Monroe G Bower 14

1920 United States FEderal Census
Name: W C Bower
Age: 78
Birth Year: abt 1842
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1920: Bethel, Shelby, Missouri
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Catherine Bower
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Household Members: Name Age
W C Bower 78
Catherine Bower 66
Nora Bower 32
Adam Bower 30
Monroe Bower 24