WILLIAM R. BOWERS occupies an assured position among the leading lawyers of Springfield, where he is associated in practice with George A. Sanders. He is a native of Cass County, this State, born December 31, 1858, and a son of Joseph and Hannah (Gill) Bowers, natives of Manchester, England. They came to this country in 1848, and the father, who had worked in the woolen mills in England, after coming here devoted himself to the congenial pursuit of agriculture during his entire life. He is now living retired in Cass County at the age of seventy-five years, and is enjoying the fruits of his early labors. His wife departed this life December 13, 1881, in her sixty-eighth year. Their pleasant wedded life was blessed to them by seven children, of whom five are living, namely: Richard, a farmer in Cass County; James H., who is Superintendent of the Denver Transfer and Wagon Company at Denver, Colo.; Mary A., wife of S. W. Sinclair, a farmer; Thomas O., a farmer of Virginia, Cass County; and William R.

William R. Bowers gained the preliminaries of his education in the district schools of Cass County, and in the High School of Virginia. He was subsequently a student of the Illinois College at Jacksonville, and was graduated from that institution with the class of '82. After leaving college he devoted two years to teaching in Cass County. He had already decided to enter the legal profession, and in 1883 he commenced the study of law with Sanders & Haines, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1886. January 1, 1887, he entered into partnership with George A. Sanders, and they have a large general practice besides making a specialty of municipal bonds and railroad law.

Mr. Bowers was married October 15, 1887, to Ella C. Bates, of Springfield, a daughter of Mrs. Mary Bates, a widow residing in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers have an exceedingly pleasant home and to them has come one son, whom they have named Chester Arthur. Mrs. Bowers is a lady of much culture and a fine disposition. She is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church of which she is a member. Mr. Bowers is identified with that church as an attendant at divine service there and as one of its liberal supporters. Socially he is a Modern Woodman. He is prominent in politics as a Republican of the straightest sort. His father has belonged to that party from the time he could cast his first vote, which was in favor of Gen. John C. Fremont.