George Smith Bower was born in Langton Matravers, Dorset, England on 17 Feb 1820. He was baptised on the 26th March 1820, at Langton Matravers.* George was the son of Robert Bower who appears to have been born about 1794 in Dorsetshire, and Sarah Smith.

Robert and Sarah married in Langton Matravers on the 11th April 1814. George had the following siblings*:

George was a stonemason as was his father. He married Louisa Woodrow in Swanage, Dorset on 28th May 1844. According to the Victorian (Australian) shipping lists, both were Weslyan Methodists. They both could read, but only George could write.

Their children were:

On 23rd of May 1851 the family departed England from Southhampton, England aboard the ship "Hornet" bound for Australia. Their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, is not listed amongst the passengers and it is not known what happened to her. She is not listed as deceased on either of her parent's death certificates, but an age is given indicating she was still alive. It may be that she remained with family in England.

The family arrived in Melbourne, Victoria on 2nd September 1857. Their first residence was in King St. in Melbourne, and later they moved to Greenwood St. in East Collingwood (now an inner suburb of Melbourne). George and at least one son (also George), are known to have been employed in the building of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. The younger George, and his family, eventually moved to Sydney when work for stonemasons fell off in Melbourne. Frederick was still residing with his parents at the time of George (the elder's) death.

George's death certificate gives the following details:

The death occurred at Greenwood St. Collingwood on 18th May 1884. George was listed as being 62 years of age at that time. The cause of death was cirrhosis of the liver and anasarca** the duration of which was 7 weeks. The informant was Frederick Bower, of the same address, and the burial was performed according to the rites of the Wesleyan faith. He was buried on 20th May 1884 at Boroondara Cemetery in Kew (near Melbourne). The certificate also states that George was born in Dorset, England and that he was a resident in Victoria for 27 years; that he married Louisa Woodrow at the age of 22 years in Swanage, Dorset. His parents are listed as Robert Bower, stonemason, and Sarah Bower, formerly Smith. On the death certificate the children are listed as follows: Elizabeth 40, George 38, Maria 35, Walter deceased (this would have occurred before 1858), Louisa 28, Walter 25, Frederick 23 and Nathaniel 21. (Alfred is not listed on the death certificate).

A copy of his will was obtained from the State Office and is numbered 713. It reads as follows:

"GEORGE BOWER late of Greenwood St, East Collingwood Colony of Victoria Stone Mason deceased. This is the Last Will Bower of Greenwood Street East Collingwood Stone Mason. I give all my property real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever unto my dear wife Louisa Bower for her life and at her death to be divided between such of my children as shall be living at my decease and attain the years of age equally as tenants in common and I appoint my said wife and my son George Bower Executrix and Executor of this my Will and revoke all former wills. Dated this 31st day of August 1880----------------------

George Bower-----------

Signed by Joseph Alfred Wilmoth for the testator George Bower (who was unable to write for weakness) and acknowledged by the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of the undersigned who in the presence of the said Testator and at his request and in the said Will was also signed by the said Joseph Alfred Wilmoth at the Testator's request--------------Elizabeth Treneman Ross St. North Richmond -----------------Jane Treneman.

* Information extracted from the International Genealogical Index [IGI].

** Generalized swelling (edema) of the body, especially in the legs and abdomen. It results from the accumulation of fluid in body tissues, often accompanying a kidney disorder. The condition was once known as dropsy.