The surname Bower is derived from the occupation of bow-maker or bowyer. The long bow was athe chief arm used in hunting and war in A.D. 1100, when surnames were first adopted in Scotland. The surname is also spelled Boyer, and Bowers is a derivative. The English surname Fletcher is derived from the assocaited trade of arrowmaker (flechier). The Bower family dates from the earliest use of surnames in Haddingtonshire and Perthshire, Scotland.

(I) William Bower was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1796. He was educated in his native land and studied medicine, becoming assistant surgeon of the Twentieth Regiment. He resigned his commission and came to Canada when a young man, and there took up land and followed farming. He also taught school from time to time. He died in Canada in 1848.
He married Elizabeth Scherdsfigur.
Children:
Joseph, mentioned below.
John C.
Robert S.
Anne.

(II) Joseph, son of William Bower, was born in Williamsburg, county Dundas, Canada, 1813, died 1870. He had a common school education. He was a general merchant at Kempville, Canada, during his active life. In politics he was a Conservative, and he served the county as coroner. He was a member of the Church of England and was warden for a number of years.
He married Mary Ann Huntington, born at Madrid, New York, 1818, died Dec., 1908, daughter of Silas Huntington.
Children:
1. Eliza, lives in Ontario.
2. Mary J., lives in Toronto.
3. William J., deceased.
4. Dr. Silas J., born 1843; mentioned below.
5. Samuel H., lives in Manitoba, Canada.
6. Harvey, deceased.
7. Ann, lives in Kempville, Ontario.
8. Charles H., lives in Manitoba.
9. Caroline, lives in Toronto.
10. Gideon, lives at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
11. Child; died in infancy.

(III) Dr. Silas J., son of Joseph Bower, was born in Kempville, Ontario, 1843. He attended the public schools of his native town, and studied medicine at McGill University of Montreal, graduating with the degree of M. D., in the class of 1865. He opened an office in Waddington, New York, and has practiced there since graduating. He is a member of the St. Lawrence County Medical Society and of the New York Medical Society. He has a large practice and ranks high in his profession.
He is a member of Waddington Lodge, No. 393, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member and warden of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Waddington. In politics he is a Republican. He was appointed postmaster of Waddington by President Grant, and served during the second Grant administration.
He married, in 1869, Frances Martha, born in Waddington, daughter of William Clark, of Waddington (see Clark IV).
Children:
1. William Joseph, resides in Cleveland, Ohio; married Charlotte Preston; children: Marvin Silas and William Joseph Jr.
2. Henry Huntington, lives in New York City, a contracting engineer; married Stella Plant; child, John Plant.
3. Edith, married Charles J. Parker, of New York City, assistant chief engineer of the New York Central Railroad Company; child, Franklin B. Parker.

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