Edward BOWERS was born September 1839-40 in Germany and arrived in America in 1847. He appears in the census records of Elk, Potter and Cameron Counties, PA during the years 1880-1910.

The 1890 Civil War Veteran Census of Cameron County, PA [House #110, line #18, Sinnimahung, Cameron Co., PA] states Edward was a private in Company D, 1st NY Rifles. He enlisted 3 Sep 1861 and was discharged 24 July 1863; in service for 1 year, 4 months and 21 days.

He was buried on 2 May 1911 in First Fork, Cameron Co., PA. According to the cemetery record for Cameron Co, PA, Edward is listed as being buried in the Gilmore Cemetery in Groove Township.

He was married to Mary __?__ about 1863. She was born 1834 in NY and died after 1910 in First Fork, Cameron Co., PA.

Edward BOWERS and Mary __?__ had the following children:

Joseph and Cami were both adopted by Edward and Mary Bowers, for they had no children of their own. Joseph is my Grandfather. His birth name was Charles Augustine HASSAN. (Birth parents were James HASSAN and Mary LIPPERT) He and his 4 brothers were put in the St. Joseph orphanage in Erie, PA about 1878.

In 1880 Edward and Mary BOWERS adopted Charles, and changed his name to Joseph Edward BOWERS. According to the 1910 census Cami had five children, and they were all alive that year.

Death Certificate: Death April 29, 1911 in Grove Township, Cameron Co, PA, buried 2 May 1911 in First Fork, Cameron Co., PA.

Death Certificate stated "Ate good dinner, complained of not feeling well. Was found dead on couch about 4pm." It also stated his occupation was a farmer, no names for parents listed, and that he entered the Army at 21 years of age in 1861.

WILL-

"The Last Will and Testament of Edward Bowers, of First Fork, Cameron Co., Pa. I do hereby appoint Joseph E. Bowers as Executor of this Will. 1/2 After all Doctor Bills and Funeral expenses and any other honest debts are paid, all real estate and Personal Property I give and bequeath to Joseph E. Bowers, and he shall take care of my wife Mary Bowers, during her natural life and give her suitable burial in case of death. He shall also pay Minnie Caldwell wife of Henry Caldwell of Sinnemahoning, Pa. the sum of ($10) Ten Dollars in legal money of the US.
Witnesses to signature: G. B. Goss

This Will was made and signed by me, Edward Bowers, on this A.D. 1909

[signed] Edward Bowers

State of Pennsylvania, County of Cameron, SS:

Personally came before me, W. J. Leavitt, Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration, in and for County aforesaid, Geo. B. Goss, the subscribing witness to the foregoing Will, who being duly sworn according to law, do say that they were present, and saw and heard Edward Bowers the Testator within named, sign, seal, publish, pronounce, and declare the foregoing instrument of writing as and for his last will and testament, and that at the time of so doing he was of sound mind, memory and understanding, to the best of his knowledge and behalf.
[signed] G. B. Goss

Sworn and subscribed before me, this 28th day of May A. D. 1911.
[signed] W. J. Leavitt, Register

(Below this I find the following handwritten on the same page):

June 11, 1912 Receipt in full and release from filing acct. filed.

In the Registers court of Cameron Co., Pa. In the matter of the Estate of Edward Bowers, late of Grove Twp., deceased.

Personally appeared B.B. Lorshough, who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he is well acquainted with the handwriting of Edward Bowers, deceased, that he has carefully examined the signature to the foregoing Will of Edward Bowers and declares the same to be in his own handwriting.

[signed] B.B. Lorshbough

Sworn & Subscribed before me this 28th May A. D. 1911 - W. J. Leavitt - Register

State of Pennsylvania, County of Cameron, SS:

I, W.J. Leavitt, Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration, in and for said County, do hereby certify that I have this day proved according to law, and admitted to Probate the foregoing instrument of writing as and for the last will and testament of Edward Bowers and do hereby approve and enter in my said office the said instrument of writing as and for the last will and testament of the said descedent.

Witness my hand and seal this twenty eight day of May A.D. 1911
[signed] W.J. Leavitt....., Register

May 28 1911 Oath of Joseph E. Bowers of First Fork, as Executor of the above estate filed. (Letters issued to said executor). In parentheses was handwritten on document:

PROBATE - "In the matter of the Estate of Edward Bowers, Joseph E. Bowers, Executor"

"Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Cameron Co.

Personally appeared before me, W. J. Leavitt, Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration, in and for said County Joseph E. Bowers, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that Edward Bowers, late of Grove Twp., said County, Deceased, died at his home in Grove Twp., on or about Saturday the 29th of April A.D. 1911, at 3 0'clock p.m., of said day, to the best of his knowledge and belief. Sworn and subscribed before me, this 28th May A.D. 1911. W.J. Leavitt.

I do not know Edward's parents or siblings names. If anyone has any additional information please contact me.