Source:  Hardesty, Henry H.  Hardesty's Historical and Geographical
Encyclopedia.  New York: H.H. Hardesty and Company, 1884.
Rpt. in West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia.  Ed. Jim Comstock.
Richwood: Comstock, 1974.

LORENZO W. BOWERS - is a native of North Carolina, born June 4, 1843, in Lexington,
that State, a son of Samuel L. and Sarah (JONES) BOWERS. His father was born in
Salisbury, North Carolina, and was killed at St. Joe, Missouri, in 1849, and 
his mother was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, and died December 23, 1873. 
Lorenzo W. BOWERS was a soldier through the war between the States, serving in 
Company I, 14th North Carolina Infantry, and taking part in all the engagements
of his regiment up to Gettysburg, where he was made prisoner, and sent to Fort 
McHenry, then to Point Lookout, and held until the close of the war.  His first 
wife was Miranda F. SMITH, who died at Malden, West Virginia, November 9. 1875, 
leaving three children: Rosa, born September 22, 1870; Wilbur F., January 30, 1873; 
Lorenzo E., May 20, 1875. The two oldest are with their father, the youngest with 
his mother's parents, who are W. J. and Malinda E. (CUMMINGS) SMITH.  They are 
also the parents of the present wife of Mr. BOWERS, who was Elizabeth H. SMITH, 
sister of Miranda F., born November 27, 1853.  The second marriage of Mr. BOWERS 
was consummated in Covington, Virginia, March 17, 1877, and the children born of 
it are three: Clara V., January 14, 1878; Lothian A., April 14, 1879; L. Carl, 
January 10, 1882.  Lorenzo W. BOWERS commenced teaching in October, 1865, and 
has followed that profession exclusively since that time, having taught with 
unvarying success in all parts of the county, and in Monroe and Kanawha Counties. 
He is now teaching what is known as the Salem Normal School, at Grassy Meadows.
Salem, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, is his post office address.

[Clara V. BOWERS died Feb. 24, 1878, aged 1 mo 15 da, parents listed as L. W. and 
Belle BOWERS; cause of death: hives.  Greenbrier County Death Records, Vol. 1A. vfc]

Submitted by Valerie Crook
Email: vfcrook @trellis.net 1999.