Illinois:  History of Cass County, Illinois, ed. William Henry
Perrin. O. L. Baskin & Co. Historical Publishers, Chicago, 1882. 
Cass County.

JOSEPH BOWERS, farmer, P.O. Ashland, was born in Derbyshire,
England, Nov.  26, 1816.  His early life was spent in the cotton
factories of England, and when twenty-eight years of age he
emigrated to America, and located at Philadelphia; in 1849 he
moved to Cass County, Illinois, and took upon himself the duties
of farm life; in 1858 he purchased a quarter section of wild
prairie, upon which he now resides.  He was married in Cass
County, July 19, 1846.  His wife, Hannah Gill, was born in
Yorkshire, England, March 6, 1817; she has borne him seven
children: Richard, a prominent young farmer, living near the
homestead; James, in Denver, Colorado, speculating in mines; Mary
A., wife of Wat Sinclair; Thomas, farmer, single, living at home;
Jennie, wife of John Sinclair, living near home; William, a
graduate of the Illinois College, at Jacksonville, a teacher by
profession; Joseph, at home.  Mrs. Bowers was a daughter of
Richard and Betty (Hinchcliff) Gill, native of England, deceased.
Joseph Bowers, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a
native of England, a mechanic by occupation; born March 4, 1790;
died April 8, 1854.  Betty Howe, his wife, was also a native of
England; born August 1, 1793; died December 29, 1856; they were
the parents of fifteen children, of whom only four are now
living, and of whom Joseph is the third child.  Mrs. Bowers is a
Methodist, and Mr. Bowers has always been identified with the
Republican party.

Bowers Gill Sinclair Hinchcliff Howe
=
England PA CO