RICHARD B. SOWERS, farmer, P. O. Wetaug, was born November 14, 1830, in Rowan County, N. C., a son of John, born January 12, 1804, and Elizabeth (Durham) Sowers, natives of same county. The father was a farmer, and was married a second time to Jane Durham, a sister of his first wife. She is still living. The father died January 28, 1876, and the mother of our subject about 1847. The parents were blessed with a large family, four of whom are living — R. B., Eli, Sarah and Elizabeth. The subject of these lines received his early schooling, which was limited to the old-fashioned schools in his native county, and he afterward attended a little in Pulaski County, his parents having removed from North Carolina when he was about nine years old. In early life, he served a three-year apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, and afterward ran a shop in Cobden, Ill. He was married, July 22, 1852, to Catharine M. Rendleman, born October 8, 1833, a daughter of D. H. and Catharine (Hunsaker) Rendleman, both of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Sowers are the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living — Mary A., born November 18, 1858; John F., July 18, 1860; Ellen, August 31, 1862; Sarah C., October 1, 1866; Martin L., December 27, 1868; Lydia A., April, 12, 1870; Jacob A., March 18, 1872; Drake H., June 26, 1874, and George W., October 15, 1877. In the spring of 1861, Mr. Sowers moved to his present place, where he has 160 acres of land. He engages in the various branches of farming. August 11, 1862, he entered the Eighty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. Dollins, and afterward Col. A. J. Smith. He was captured at Brice's Cross Roads, and lay in Andersonville and other prisons for nearly six months. He afterward rejoined his regiment at Montgomery, Ala. Mr. Sowers and family are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, page 324.
| Union | Johnson | |
| Alexander |
 |
Massac McCracken KY |
| Ballard KY |
