Bower family papers and photographs

The Bower and Dowell families thrived for many generations in Indiana, specifically in the Lafayette-Fowler region. The families played an important role in local economies of the area, especially in agriculture, sales, and manufacturing. The collection spans nearly five generations of Bowers and Dowells, and it demonstrates the strong relationships between the family members along with their dedication to their communities and the Catholic faith.

The Bower family can be traced to Catherine Klein, a Luxembourgish woman who travelled to the United States with her widowed mother Catherine Obertin Klein. Catherine married Bernard Wetli, a Swiss immigrant, in 1862, and together they had eleven children: Mary, William, Emma, Elizabeth, John, Frank, Charles, Annie, Jennie, Eva, and Robert. Their third eldest child, Emma Theresia, married John Bower on January 25, 1887 in Kentland, IN. John and Emma relocated to Fowler, IN, and settled at Prairie View Farm. Together they had fourteen children: Charles, Genevieve, Frank, Susan (Sister Johanella), Emma (Sister Carralilla), Margaret, Bernard, Anthony, Edmund, Wilfred, Conrad, Harold, Loretta (Sister Emmalita), and Gregory. The Bowers were devoted followers of Catholicism, and each child was baptised in the same ancestral baptismal gown that was crafted by John's mother Ann Bower. Three of the Bower daughters—Susan, Emma, and Loretta—eventually became Catholic nuns.

Gregory, the youngest son of John and Emma, met his wife Elizabeth "Betty" Dowell Mendenhall after he returned to the United States from service in World War II. Betty, who was the fourth child of Ray and Celesa Dowell, was born and raised in Fowler, IN. In 1941, she married Duncan Mendenhall, and together they had a daughter, Marsha. Only one year later, Duncan was killed in combat in World War II. Betty and Gregory married on August 23, 1947, and Gregory adopted Marsha. They opened Bower Typewriter in their hometown, but eventually moved their shop to Lafayette, IN and added cards and gifts to their sales.

Betty and Gregory added five more children to their family: Mary, John, Janie, Betsy, and Barbara. Their only son John would eventually found the Healthy House Institute, which was dedicated to building and maintaining healthy homes.