Jacob Bower

Bower, Jacob. (Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1786--April 26, 1874, Mason County, Illinois). Baptist. Converted in 1812, ordained to preach February 27, 1819 in Logan County, Kentucky. In 1827, moved to Illinois where he farmed and preached. In 1833, he helped to organize the Blue River Association (later the Quincy Association) which favored missions. In a period of 16 years, he traveled over 40,000 miles and organized 14 churches. Highly revered as a pastor who came to the prairies with the pioneer settlers, meeting the spiritual needs of the day. He hymn "Come, tell us your troubles, ye saints of the Lord" reveals the unpolished language with which he preached to the pioneers. The hymn appeared in Buck's Baptist Hymn Book (1842) and in Dupuy's Hymns (1843).

Richard C. Shadinger, DNAH Archives