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Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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FRANK BOWER is now serving as Sheriff of Lehigh County, and makes his home in Allentown. He has the honor of being a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Carbon County, on the 7th of May, 1839. His father, Charles G. Bower, was a native of Germany. When a young man he bade adieu to that country and crossed the briny deep to America, locating in Carbon County, where he followed farming until his death. He was called to his final rest in 1859. He married Elizabeth Wentz, who was born in Carbon County, and is a daughter of Jacob Wentz. She was born in 1803, and is still living in the neighborhood of her birthplace, at the advanced age of ninety-one years.

The subject of this sketch is the youngest in a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, of whom seven are yet living. He was reared to manhood in the usual manner of farmer lads, attending the district schools through the winter months, and aiding in the labors of the fields during the summer months. He continued upon the home farm until twenty years of age, when he started out in life for himself. For three years he engaged in huckstering, and in 1861 he went to Catasauqua, and there he continued to make his home until 1879. That year witnessed his arrival in Allentown, where he has since made his home.

In 1869 Mr. Bower was united in marriage with Miss Marietta Kace, a native of Whitehall Township, Lehigh County. This worthy couple have become parents of eight children, namely: Annie E., who is now the wife of Lafayette Young; Jennie E., wife of Henry E. Heberling; and Charles G., Harry F., Edward C., William F., Edwin P. and Robert H., all of whom are still at home. The mother of this famfly was called to her final rest in 1880, and her death was deeply and widely mourned, for she had many warm friends throughout the community, who esteemed her highly for her many excellences of character.

In his political views Mr. Bower is a supporter of the Democratic party and its principles, and in local politics he takes an active interest. He has been honored with a number of local offices, and in 1892 he was elected County Sheriff of Lehigh County, which position he is now filling in a creditable and acceptable manner. He is a fearless man, and is undaunted in the discharge of his official duties, and his management of the affairs of the office has won him high commendation. Socially he is connected with several secret societies, including the Masonic fraternity, the Golden Eagle and the Independent Order of Red Men. He belongs to Porter Lodge No. 284, F. & A. M., and has filled all the chairs. Mr. Bower had no special advantages in his youth, but has made the most of his opportunities and privileges, and has steadily worked his way upward. His course is a commendable one, and well worthy of emulation. From 1881 to 1886 he served as Deputy Sheriff of this county. Mr. Bower has a brother in La Fayette County, Wis., who has served as Sheriff of that county, as did his brother, Hon. George Bower, of Lehigh County. A remarkable fact is that all three of the brothers have served in that capacity.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Lehigh County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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