John was elected to the ministry in 1843 in Salem (now Clayton), Ohio, of the German Baptist Brethren and was ordained elder there in 1848. From 1850 to 1860, he was in Clay Township, Montgomery County, Ohio. They moved to Douglas County, Kansas, in 1861.

1850 Clay, Montgomery, Ohio, John Bowers Jr 50 KY and Elizabeth 50 VA, Jacob 24 OH, Barbary 20 OH, Sarah 18 OH, and Elizabeth 15 OH with Andrew ROOT 7 IA, and JOHN BOWER SR 87 PA - THIS IS FATHER AND A BROTHER to Henry (page 13) ANDREW ROOT 13 is also in the home in 1860 with the note “taken to be raised”

1850 Clay, Montgomery, Ohio, with Henry Bowers 34 OH, Ester 29, Jeremiah 8, Susanna 6, Elizabeth 3 and John 1 all born OH (page 6)

1870 Willow Springs, Douglas, Kansas with John Bower 70 KY and Elizabeth 69 VA

In Ulrich Cemetery, Pleasant Grove, Douglas County, Kansas
John Bower, 23 May 1800 to 4 Jun 1879
Jacob, 8 May 1825 to 14 Apr 1918 (the oldest son?)
Catherine
Elizabeth, Jan 1801 to 10 Jun 1877 (Elizabeth Root?  Although the birth date is different from what i found previously.)
Elizabeth M, d 27 Sept 1885 (daughter?)
William