My Genealogy Hound

SYLVESTER HOWER. The history of a county or a township depends for interest on the lives of the men living there, and who by means of ability and industry have won success both for themselves and the community. A history of Allen Township, Northampton County, would in no measure be complete without a sketch of Mr. Hower, who was born here February 6, 1845.

The parents of our subject, George and Catherine (Anewalt) Hower, were likewise natives of this county, while the paternal great-grandfather of vSylvester came from Germany and founded that branch of the family in America of which he is a direct descendant. John Nicholas Hower, the grandfather of our subject, fought as a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was a man greatly esteemed for his upright character.

George Hower followed agricultural pursuits during the active years of his life, and succeeded in accumulating a fair amount of this world’s goods. He departed this life September 14, 1886. Of his children who survive our subject was the eldest but one. The other members of the family are: Harrison, residing in Kansas; Belinda, the wife of Benjamin Sehaden, a farmer of Allen Township, this county; Sarah, now the wife of William H. Sieger, who makes her home in Catasauqua; and Katie, who is with our subject. The father was an active worker in the Lutheran Church, and was one of the founders of the congregation at Howertown, which he served in the capacity of Deacon for many years. He was also one of the prime movers in the organization of Weaversville Academy, a well known institute of learning in this section. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He was a thoroughly moral man, and in his death the county lost one of its best and most valued citizens.

Sylvester Hower, of this biography, who engaged in farm pursuits, has spent his entire life thus far in his native county, with the exception of two years when operating a gristmill at Slatington. His education was received first in the district schools and afterward in Weaversville Academy. After leaving that institution he took a business course in Thomas M. Pierce’s college at Philadelphia. Young Hower, in August, 1864, enlisted in the Union army, as a member of Company F, Two Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Infantry, and with his regiment was placed on guard duty in Virginia. After being out nearly a year, during which time he rendered his country valiant service, he was honorably discharged in July, 1865, and returned home.

Mr. Hower is the proprietor of two hundred and fifty-four acres of good farming land, which he has placed under the best methods of improvement, and has made one of the finest estates in the county. Socially he is a member of Fuller Post No. 378, G. A. R., at Catasauqua. He is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, with which he has been connected for many years, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school of Howertown.

The marriage of our subject occurred October 26, 1875, with Amanda E., daughter of John S. Hiestand, formerly a resident of Allen Township, but now deceased, as is also her mother. His interest in school affairs has led our subject to be placed on the board, where he has done much toward advancing the standard of scholarship in his district. In politics he follows the footsteps of his honored father and is a stanch Republican.