John Dewitt Bowers was born 24 July 1864 in Grainger Co., Tennessee. For further information regarding him and his family history, I recommend looking at this site.
The following was copied from the 50th Anniversary Edition of the "Latimer County News Democrat" published 21 August 1947 which was taken from a report written by Mrs. Maxine Wilkinson for a Sociology class at Eastern Oklahoma College.
All Bowers family mentioned herein were the children of John D. Bowers and Mary Majors.
"Bowers Has Interesting History
County Named for Resident of this Community
Until about 1895, the Bowers Community was settled solely by Indians. Joshua James, Jackson James, Ellis Wade and Isam Christie were some of the Indians that old time settlers remember.
Near what is now the Wallace Colvard home, the Indians had a church. This also served as a school house and as the council house. It was in this building that justice was doled out to the unruly and many knew the use of the shipping post that stood just outside the door.
Early Settlers
Some time in 1895, Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Latimer moved to their home in the community. They had no white neighbors. In 1900, (John) DeWitt Bowers moved to a farm six miles west and a mile south of Wilburton. In 1902 his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. John and Mrs Nancy Helon (Bowers) Estes bought out his farm and he moved to an adjoining farm.
...illegible... goes on to say ... in the Indian subscription school was Miss Carrie Booth. She boarded in the home of Mrs. E. Wingo and received $1.00 a month in cash for her work. Mrs. Wingo received as payment for her board whatever was taken in by subscription.
At this time there were no improvements of any kind in the community, but before long the men felt such a need for a school for their children that they, under the direction of Mr. Bowers, built a school on his farm. This school was destroyed by fire in a few years.
After statehood, Mr. Bowers with the help of his neighbors, built another school. A school district was formed and because of his great community interest and helpfulness, the persons in the community chose to name the district after him.
Help From State
In 1907 the question of statehood was on everyone's tongue. When the time came to vote, residents of the Bowers Community met at the three room home of Mr. and Mrs. Estes and voted on the big issue. The group elected Mr. Latimer to be their delegate for the Constitutional Convention and the county was named for him.
In 1924 the members built a church called the "New Home Baptist Church." This building is still standing."
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