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Photos were supplied by a number of my Sowers and Harper cousins. I appreciate their kindness in sharing with me the family photos. I do have other different photos of Henry C. and Martha Jane.
Henry C. Sowers was born 1 March, 1822 in Brownsville, Fayette Co, PA. He married Martha Jane Harper on 27 July, 1843 in Muskingum Co, Ohio. He died 3 August, 1911 in Atchison, Atchison Co, Kansas.
According to the 63rd Anniversary article in the Atchison Globe (July 27, 1906, page 3), his residences were: first year of life in Brownsville, Pa, then his family moved to Ohio where he lived for 31 years, 1854 went to Coles Co, Illinois, 1865 went to Lawrence KS, 1866 went to Leavenworth, KS, 1867 Salt Creek Valley near Leavenworth, 1870 went to Farmington, 1881 moved to Atchison.
Henry C. and family are in the 1860 US Census in Lafayette, Coles Co, Illinois. In 1870, 1875, 1880 US and Kansas Censuses they are in Center, Atchison Co, Kansas. 1885 and after they are in Atchison, Atchison Co, Kansas.
It is believed that the C in Henry C. stands for Clay. One of Henry C.'s sons was named Henry Clay.
Martha Jane Harper was born 8 April, 1826 in Virginia. She died 17 December 1906 shortly after her 63rd anniversary party where there were 50 guests. The newspaper article mentioned that she had 42 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. The 1906 article also mentioned she had 11 children. One died in infancy. Ten lived to mature years with nine still living in 1906.
Martha Jane's parents were John Harper and Martha Gilham. She had a half brother, John H. Ashford and 2 full brothers, Benjamin and David.
Through a DNA test result posted through Ancestry.com done by my sister, we have found out that a descendant of Henry C. Sowers is related to us, descendants of Albright Sowers (through his sons Commodore Perry Sowers and Washington Sowers). So there is proof he is connected to our Sowers line which came from Maryland to settle in Ohio, stopping a while in the Brownsville/Bridgeport area of PA on their way. They happen to be there during the 1830 census. Though it is clear there is some kind of relationship of Henry Sowers to Edward Sower's son Basel, it is still unknown the exact relationship. We are still just speculating that Albright Sowers is related to Edward Sowers, either as a brother or a son from Edward's first marriage. However, this DNA hit has us now wondering if Henry is actually a child of Albright's born shortly before Albright died.
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