Colonel George Bower

So highly regarded was Col. Bower for his wisdom and sagacity that he was almost universally called "Double Headed Bower," or "Two Headed Bower."

He was born in Ashe County, January 8, 1788. His father was John Bower, whose will as recorded in Ashe County disposed of considerable property.

George was a merchant, farmer, live-stock raiser and hotellist at Jefferson. He married a Miss Bryant first, and after her death Miss America Russeau.

He was elected State Senator when Andrew Jackson was elected president both times. He became one of the bondsmen of John McMillan as clerk of the Superior Court as early as the September term, 1813. At subsequent terms he was appointed clerk and master and gave bond as such. He owned a large number of slaves and many State bonds.

He was drowned in the Yadkin River, October 7, 1861. His will was probated in 1899, Book E, p. 387.

His widow married Robert R. Heath, who was born in New Hampshire October 25, 1806, and died at Jefferson, May 26, 1871. "He was an able lawyer and an upright judge is engraved on his tomb."

Mrs. Heath then married Alston Davis. She was born February 26, 1816, and died May 25, 1903. Her will was probated in 1903, Book E, p. 524.


A Tragic Death
In October, 1861, George Bower followed a runaway slave to the ford of the Yadkin River. He was in his carriage, and the Negro driver told him the river was too swollen to admit of fording it at that time. Col. Bower, insisting, however, the colored man drove in. The current took the carriage with its single occupant far beyond the bank. Col. Bower was drowned, but the driver and horses escaped.

Source: Western North Carolina A History From 1730 to 1913, By John Preston Arthur, Published by Edward Buncombe Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of Asheville, N. C., 1914

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