MEAFORD EXPRESS (1924) - The death of John Gower took place at his late residence, Boucher street, early on Saturday morning after a long illness from heart trouble. Deceased had been in failing health for about a year and owing to weakness was compelled to remain in bed for the past seven months. He was in his 81st years and had resided in Meaford for upwards of thirty-six years.
   The late Mr. Gower was born at Stouville and spent the early years of his life in Buffalo, Black Rock and Detroit. In 1863 he moved to Barrie where he was engaged in the sawmill business and where he also engaged in the cooperage business and took contract on the old Western Railway now part of the C.N.R. In 1868 he was married at Orillia to Miss Margaret Cox and in 1888 the family moved to Meaford. Here he engaged in the sawmill business, first in partnership with Mr. Charles Barber and subsequently with the late James Sparling. Being a cooper by occupation, Mr. Gower started a cooperage and stave factory on Bayfield Street, which he carried on until about five years ago, since which time he lived a practically retired life. During his long residence here he took an active interest in municipal affairs and served on the Council Board some two years. In religion he was an Anglican and in politics a Conservative.