George Howe Bower was born September 19, 1892 in Belpre, Ohio, at the home of his grandfather, George A. Howe; and this first home, was ever the dearest spot on earth to him, loving the old farm with a true affection. He found keen enjoyment in everything connected with it and being a lover of nature, he "Found tongues in trees; books in the running brooks; Sermons in stones; and good in everything."

It was in this home that the parents early had the little golden haired boy baptized and consecrated his life to the Master. While quite young he became a follower of Christ, and united with the Presbyterian Church at Sistersville, W. Va. Later when he came to make his home at Parkersburg, W. Va., he united with the Presbyterian Church of that city.

He received most of his education in the Sistersville schools, graduating from the High School with high honors, at the age of eighteen years.

His aspiration and plans were to continue his education at Harvard University; but the great Reaper scarcely permitted, the blossom of youth to burst into the flower of manhood, and he went to be with the Great Teacher.

His was a wonderfully active mind, and he was, unusually well informed on the vital topics of the day, the best in literature art, and science.

He was very fond also, of the biographies of our greatest writers thinkers, and inventors, reading only theworth-while books and magazines, those which contained food for thought.

After graduation he was employed by the Standard Oil Company. He had a natural aptitude and capacity for business affairs and had his life been spared, he would without doubt, have climbed to the greatest heights of success.

He took his initiatory degree in Masonry at the earliest possible opportunity—the day after he attained the age of twenty-one—when he became a member of Mt. Olivet Lodge, No. 3, A. F. and A. M. of Parkersburg, W. Va.

This seemed fitting, since his great, great, great grand father. General Rufus Putnam, was the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in the State of Ohio, at Marietta, Ohio, and his father, Mr. E. O. Bower was Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of W. Va.

His maternal grandmother was a descendant of Col. John Wyatt of Revolutionary fame.

His maternal grandfather George A. Howe, is one of the leading citizens of Washington County and a descendant of two of the oldest families in the Ohio Valley, numbering among his ancestors, General Rufus Putnam, Father of Ohio, and Perley Howe, who was one of the jurors who tried Aaron Burr for treason.

It was no wonder then, since he had more than proved himself worthy of such noble ancestry, that his heart burned with patriotism at the call of President Wilson for Volunteers in our recent world's conflict, and was only kept from enlisting, by ill health.

Endowed with a cheerful, generous, forgiving disposition, he made hosts of friends, and people in every walk of life, received the little helpful favors and sunny smiles which smoothed out many rough places in life, without his being conscious that he had done anything unusual.

"It's doing the little "extras."

The things we're not asked to do;
The favors that help one's brother,

To trust in God and you.
It's doing, I say, the "extras,"

The things not looked for, you know.
That will bring us our King's kind notice,

A "well done," as on we go."

Coming in the very morning of life, and cutting short a career that had every promise of marked usefulness and success, his sudden failure in health and his death were a crushing sorrow to his hosts of friends to whom his memory will be filled with the fragrance which arises from the recollection of many loving deeds.

"We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths;

In feelings, not in figures on a dial.

We should count time by heart-throbs; he most lives

Who thinks most, feels the noblest,

Acts the best."