Mr. E. N. Gower.

Ripe In years and Usefulness He Passes to the Great Beyond.

Mr. E. N. Gower, who died recently in Gainesville, was formerly a citizen of this city, and was engaged in business with Col. R. H. Jones. He was the father of Mrs. H. H. Hall, of this city, and Mrs. W. C. Baker, of Fort Smith, Ark. Of his death the Gainesville Eagle says:

“When death came to E. N. Gower, Sr., last Thursday afternoon, one of the landmarks of the city was removed from our midst. Mr. Gower did more to shape the destiny of our city and contribute to its growth, possibly, than any other of his pioneer associates. Long before the war, when Gainesville was only a little village, he engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, which found a ready market all over the state, and caused the place to become celebrated as a manufacturing point from its infancy. His success was stamped on the minds of others, and his action suggested the rule of action which subsequently governed others; hence we have to-day a manufacturing city second to none in the south.

“Later on he found that the half of our natural riches was still unknown to the outside world, and he therefore had some of our mineral waters analyzed and built the Gower Springs hotel and advertised it as a summer resort, where the purest and most exhilarating air and mineral water most conducive to health, could be found. The results of his efforts in this direction cannot be told. The hundreds upon hundreds of pale-faced, emaciated invalids who have come here and returned to their homes with rosy cheeks and health restored, can best tell of the success which crowned his efforts.

“Mr. Gower was in his 83d year when he was taken from the city he had helped to found and had watched with silent pride as it made its splendid strides in the ??? he had paved in its early history. He leaves an aged wife, two sons, and three daughters. One of his sons, T. C. Gower, is a well-known physician, the other, E. N. Gower, Jr., followed the vocation of his father and is now engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages in the firm of the Bagwell & Gower Mfg. Co.

The funeral was held Friday afternoon and his body was laid to rest in the city cemetery.