Last Updated: April 13, 2022

Jacob Solomon Sowers Family

(2 known wives)

1. Sowers, Jacob Solomon 

Parents: Some believe parents are Jacob & Mary (Epperly) Sowers aka George Jacob Sowers Anna Maria (Epperly) Sowers. Others feel Jacob’s parents are George & Mary (Spangler) Sowers and I agree with this belief as Jacob & Rebecca are noted directly after George & Mary (Spangler) Sowers in 1850 and Jacob’s 2^nd marriage record also gives George & Mary Sowers as his parents. (UPDATE APRIL 2021 I was convinced Jacob Solomon’s parents were George & Mary (Spangler) Sowers but recent research by a descendant appears to discredit this theory. – stay tuned for more details.

1820 Birth: 8-26-1820 Floyd Co., VA.

I1844 Marriage #1: Jacob Sowers m. Rebecca Procise 10-02-1844 Floyd Co., VA by Owen Sumner. She d/o Thomas Procise per permission note.

1850 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, H741:

…… Sowers, Jacob 29 yo w/m farmer, b. Floyd, $0, cannot read or write, HOH.

……… Rebecca 29 yo w/f, b. Grayson, cannot read or write.

……… Melvina 3 yo w/f, b. Floyd.

……… where’s Louisa Jane?

……… George T. 8/12 w/m, b. Floyd.

1860 Floyd Co., VA, Floyd Court House PO, H787: Jacob Sowers, 40 yo w/m farmer, b. VA, $0/40, HOH.

1870 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Alum Ridge Twp, H12:

...... Jones, William B. 22 yo w/m farm laborer, b. VA, HOH. [jones]

............ Mary E. 18 yo w/f, b. VA, keeping house. (nee Sowers)

............ John W. 14 yo w/m, b. VA.

............ Charles R. 3 yo w/m, b. VA.

...... Sowers, Jacob 50 yo w/m farm laborer, b. VA.

...... Harris, Sarah 35 yo w/f, b. VA, domestic servant, cannot read or write. [harris1]

i1876 Marriage #2: Jacob Sowers m. Docea Whirley 10-15-1876 at Jacob Sower's, Floyd Co., VA by Charles A. Marks. He 60 yo widowed w/m farmer, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, s/o George & Mary Sowers. She 45 yo widowed w/f, b. Patrick Co., VA & living in Floyd Co., VA, d/o Samuel & Dicea Underwood.

Doshia (Underwood) Whorley, d/o Samuel & Doshia (unknown) Underwood. She was 1^st married to John Whorley. [Whorley]

1880 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Village of Jacksonville, Main Street, H30:

...... Jones, William B. 33 yo w/m, shoemaker, b. VA, parents b. VA, HOH. [jones]

............ Mary E. 28 yo wife, b. VA, parents b. VA, keeping house. (nee Sowers)

............ Charley 13 yo son, b. VA, parents b. VA, laborer, school.

............ Lilly A. 10 yo daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA, school.

............ John T. 8 yo son, b. VA, parents b. VA, school.

............ James A. 6 yo son, b. VA, parents b. VA, school.

............ Katy A. 2 yo daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA.

...... Sowers, Jacob 63 yo widowed father, b. VA, laborer. (should probably be father-in-law)

1890 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Little River District:

...... Sowers, Jacob 68 yo. (alone or with family of a different surname?)

OR…

1890 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Jacksonville District:

...... Sowers, Solomon 67 yo.

1891 Death: 1-19-1891 Floyd Co., VA.

Jacob Sowers, 75 yo married w/m, b. Floyd Co., VA.

OR

1892 Death: 1-10-1892 Floyd Co., VA.

Jacob Sowers, 76 yo married w/m, b. Floyd Co., VA.

1892 Burial:

…+ Sowers, Rebecca 

Parents: Thomas & Betty (Adams) Procise. [Prosise_Thomas??]

1821 Birth: abt 1821 VA.

1850 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with husband Jacob Solomon Sowers.

1860 Floyd Co., VA, Floyd Court House PO, H787: Rebecca 39 yo w/f, b. VA.

1869 Death: 11-1869 Floyd Co., VA.

Rebecca Sowers, 45 yo married w/f, b. Floyd Co., VA. Parents: not given. Informant: Jacob. COD: consumption.

1869 Burial:

…2. Sowers, Melvina

Parents: Jacob Solomon & 1st wife Rebecca (Procise) Sowers.

1847 Birth: abt 1847 Floyd Co., VA.

1850 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with parents.

1860 Floyd Co., VA, Floyd Court House PO, H787: Melvina 14 yo w/f, b. VA.

1868 Death: 6-1868 Floyd Co., VA.

Melvenia Sowers, 18y 7m 25d w/f, b. Floyd Co., VA. Parents Jacob & Rebecca. Informant: father. COD: consumption. (Death also reported in 1869)

1868 Burial:

…2. Sowers, Louisa Jane

Parents: Jacob Solomon & 1st wife Rebecca (Procise) Sowers.

1848 Birth: abt 1848 Floyd Co., VA.

1850:

1860 Floyd Co., VA, Floyd Court House PO, H787: Louisa J. 12 y yo w/f, b. VA.

I1866 Marriage #1: Louiza Sowers m. William B. Jones 11-27-1866 at Jacob Sower's, Floyd Co., VA by George L. Lyle. He 27 yo single farmer, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, s/o Elizabeth Jones. She single 19 yo, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, d/o Jacob & Rebecca Sowers.

William B. Jones, s/o Elizabeth Jones. [jones]

1868 Death: 10-17-1868 Floyd Co., VA.

Louisa Jane Jones, 20y 2m w/f, b. Floyd Co., VA. Parents: Jacob & Rebecca. Consort: Jones. COD: not given. (Death also reported in 1869)

1868 Burial:

…2. Sowers, George Thomas

(src: Find A Grave; photo added Sonia Nance Roberts)

Parents: Jacob Solomon & 1st wife Rebecca (Procise) Sowers.

1848 Birth: 10-8-1848 Floyd Co., VA.

1850 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with parents.

1860 Floyd Co., VA, Floyd Court House PO, H787: George T. 11 yo w/m, b. VA.

i1878 Marriage #1: George Thomas Sowers m. Julia Ann Akers 03-21-1878 at Aaron Kitterman's, Floyd Co., VA by Wilson H. Dodd. He 28 yo single w/m farmer, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, s/o Jacob & Rebecca Sowers. She 22 yo single w/f, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, d/o Floyd & Elizabeth Akers.

1880 Floyd Co., VA, Jacksonville District, H446: George Sowers, 31 yo w/m farmer, b. VA, HOH, Julia A. Sowers, 29 yo wife, b. VA, John Ratliff 32 yo, Nancy E. Ratliff 30 yo wife, b. VA, Cora E. Ratliff 9 yo, Rasey L. Ratliff 6 yo, Foster Ratliff 5 yo, Lula M. Ratliff 2m, b. April VA.

1890 Floyd Co., VA, Jacksonville District: George T. Sowers, 39 yo.

1900 Floyd Co., VA, Indian Valley District 16, H70: George T. Sowers, 50 yo w/m farmer, b. Oct 1849 VA, m. 22y, owns farm, HOH.

1910 Floyd Co., VA, Court House District 47, H34: George T. Sowers, 60 yo w/m farmer, b. VA, M1 30y, HOH.

1920 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with wife Julia Ann (Akers) Sowers as HOH.

1933 Death: 3-12-1933. COD: pneumonia.

1933 Burial: White Rock Cemetery, SR 740/636, Alum Ridge, Floyd Co., VA.

(src: Find A Grave; photo added by Elizabeth)

......+ Sowers, Julia Ann

(src: Find A Grave; photo added Sonia Nance Roberts)

Parents: Floyd & Elizabeth (Reed) Akers. [akers_Floyd_Elizabeth]

1850 Birth: 10-22-1850 Floyd Co., VA.

1880 Floyd Co., VA, Jacksonville District, H446: Julia A. Sowers, 29 yo wife, b. VA.

1890 Floyd Co., VA, Jacksonville District: Julia A. 37 yo.

1900 Floyd Co., VA, Indian Valley District 16, H70: Julia A. 49 yo wife, b. Oct 1850 VA, m. 22y, 5 children with 3 living, cannot read write.

1910 Floyd Co., VA, Court House District 47, H34: Julia A. 54 yo wife, b. VA, M1 30y, 5 children with 2 living.

1920 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Indian Valley District 94, H39:

...... Sowers, Julia A. 69 yo married w/f farm manager, b. VA, parents b. VA, cannot read or write, HOH.

............ George T. 70 yo married w/m, chores at home, b. VA, parents b. VA.

...... Dulaney, Charles R. 36 yo son in law, b. VA, parents b. VA, saw mill foreman.

............ Lula E. 34 yo married daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA.

............ Leva F. 13 yo granddaughter, b. VA, parents b. VA, school.

...... Sowers, Isaac T. 15 yo grandson, b. VA, parents b. VA, sawmill laborer.

1933 Death: 3-15-1933 Floyd Co., VA.

1933 Burial: White Rock Cemetery, SR 740/636, Alum Ridge, Floyd Co., VA.

......3. Sowers, William Jackson “Willie”

(src: Find A Grave; photo added Sonia Nance Roberts)

Parents: George Thomas & Julia Ann (Akers) Sowers.

1882 Birth: 1-28-1882 Floyd Co., VA.

1890 Floyd Co., VA, Jacksonville District: Willie J. 8 yo.

I1900 Floyd Co., VA, Indian Valley District 16, H70: William J. 18 yo son, b. Jan 1882 VA, farm laborer.

1902 Marriage #1: W. J. Sowers m. Leva E. Fisher 1-21-1902 Floyd Co., VA. He 19 yo single w/m, b. Floyd Co., VA, s/o G. T. & Janene Sowers. She 17 yo single w/f, b. Floyd Co., VA, d/o John & Ann Fisher.

1910 Residence: Piatt Co., IL, Willow Branch District 157, H166:

…… Sowers, Wm 38 yo w/m farm laborer, b. VA, parents b. VA, M1 8y, rents house, HOH.

……… Leva 25 yo wife, b. VA, parents b. VA, M1 8y, 4 children with 4 living.

……… Lucy 7 yo daughter, b. IL, parents b. VA, school.

……… Ida 5 yo daughter, b. IL, parents b. VA.

……… Frank 4 yo son, b. IL, parents b. VA.

……… Lee 1 yo son, b. IL, parents b. VA.

1912 Family Photo: taken about 1912

Lt to Rt: Willie, Lucy, Isaac, Frank, Albert; Mary, Leva

(src: Find A Grave; photo added Sonia Nance Roberts)

1918 Death: 1918 Floyd Co., VA.

1918 Burial: White Rock Cemetery, Floyd Co., VA.

(src: Find A Grave; photo added Elizabeth)

.........+ Sowers, Leva Ellen

(src: Find A Grave; photo added Sonia Nance Roberts)

Parents: John & Ann (Howell) Fisher. [fisher]

1884 Birth: 6-3-1884 Floyd Co., VA.

1910 Residence: Piatt Co., IL with husband William Jackson “Willie” Sowers.

1920 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Indian Valley District 94, H38:

…… Sowers, Leva E. 35 yo widowed w/f farm laborer, b. VA, parents b. VA, rents, HOH.

……… Frank E. 13 yo son, b. IL, parents b. VA.

……… Albert L. 11 yo son, b. IL, parents b. VA, school.

……… Mary E. 8 yo daughter, b. IL, parents b. VA, school.

……… Anna M. 6 yo daughter, b. IL, parents b. VA, school.

……… Sarah E. 2y 10/12 daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA.

1961 Death: 12-15-1961 Floyd Co., VA.

1961 Obit: (src: Find A Grave; photo added Sonia Nance Roberts)

1961 Burial: White Rock Cemetery, Floyd Co., VA.

.........4. Sowers, Lucy

Parents: William Jackson “Willie” & Leva Ellen (Fisher) Sowers.

1903 Birth: 5-15-1903 IL.

1910 Residence: Piatt Co., IL with parents.

1919 Death: 2-25-1919 Floyd Co., VA.

1919 Burial: White Rock Cemetery, Floyd Co., VA.

(src: Find A Grave; photo added Sammie Wade)

.........4. Sowers, Ida

Parents: William Jackson “Willie” & Leva Ellen (Fisher) Sowers.

1905 Birth: abt 1905 IL.

1910 Residence: Piatt Co., IL with parents.

.........4. Sowers, Isaac Thomas

Parents: William Jackson “Willie” & Leva Ellen (Fisher) Sowers.

1904 Birth: 8-28-1904 Illinois.

1910:

1920 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Indian Valley District 94, H39:

...... Sowers, Julia A. 69 yo married w/f farm manager, b. VA, parents b. VA, cannot read or write, HOH. [sowers2]

............ George T. 70 yo married w/m, chores at home, b. VA, parents b. VA.

...... Dulaney, Charles R. 36 yo son in law, b. VA, parents b. VA, saw mill foreman.

............ Lula E. 34 yo married daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA.

............ Leva F. 13 yo granddaughter, b. VA, parents b. VA, school.

...... Sowers, Isaac T. 15 yo grandson, b. VA, parents b. VA, sawmill laborer.

1924 Marriage #1: Isaac Sowers m. Ora Altizer 3-14-1924 Radford, VA. He 17 yo single w/m, b. Illinois, s/o Wm & L. Sowers. She 16 yo single w/f, b. Floyd Co., VA, d/o Jacob & L. Altizer.

Ora May Altizer, b. 6-10-1907 Floyd Co., VA, d. 8-13-1999 Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., VA, d/o Jacob D. “Jake” & 2^nd wife Rutha (Goad) Altizer. [altizer_EmeryJr_mcva] She’ll m. 2^nd Henry Ellis Furrow.

1944 Death: at 1 am 11-19-1944 at a restaurant, Pulaski Co., VA but of Radford, Montgomery Co., VA.

Isaac Thomas Sowers, 40 yo w/m carpenter, b. Aug 28, 1904 Illinois. Spouse: Ora Altizer Sowers. Father: Wm J. Sowers, b. Floyd Co., VA. Mother: Leva Ellen Fisher, b. Floyd Co., VA. Informant: Mrs. I. T. Sowers of Radford, VA. COD: brain injury from pistol wound of forehead – homicide at a restaurant in Pulaski Co., VA. Burial: Radford, VA, Nov 21, 1944.

1944 Burial: West View Cemetery, Radford, VA.

(src: Find A Grave; photos added by Cindy Akers)

.........4. Sowers, Frank Earl

(src: Find A Grave; photo added Sammie Wade)

Parents: William Jackson “Willie” & Leva Ellen (Fisher) Sowers.

1906 Birth: 3-31-1906 McDowell Co., IL.

1910 Residence: Piatt Co., IL with parents.

1920 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with widowed mother.

1928 Marriage #1: Frank Sowers m. Inez Cox 11-24-1928 Radford, VA. He 22 yo single w/m, b. McDowell Co., IL, s/o Willie Sowers & Olivia Fisher. She 20 yo single w/f., b. Floyd Co., VA, d/o W. L. Cox & Dona Bond.

Inez Myrtle Cox, d/o William Luther & Nancy Madonia Alice “Donie Alice” (Bond) Cox. [cox1] I

2001 Death: 7-21-2001.

2001 Burial: White Rock Cemetery, Floyd Co., VA.

(src: Find A Grave; photo added Sammie Wade)

.........4. Sowers, Albert Lee

Parents: William Jackson “Willie” & Leva Ellen (Fisher) Sowers.

1909 Birth: abt 1909 IL.

1910 Residence: Piatt Co., IL with parents.

1920 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with widowed mother.

1932 Marriage #1: Albert Lee Sowers m. Virgie May Altizer 6-4-1932 Radford, VA. He 23 yo single w/m, b. Forest, IL, s/o Albert Lee Sowers & Levie Fisher. She 22 yo single w/f, b. Riner, VA, d/o Geo. Altizer & V. A. Altizer. (ancestry.com transcription – can’t explain)

Virgie Mae Altizer, d/o George Wesley & Virginia Alabama “Virgie” (Altizer) Altizer. Jonas Altizer - 2 known wives

.........4. Sowers, Mary Ethel

Parents: William Jackson “Willie” & Leva Ellen (Fisher) Sowers.

1911 Birth: 3-21-1911 IL.

1920 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with widowed mother.

1930 Marriage #1: Mary Ethel Sowers m. Roy Martin Roop 5-3-1930 Riner, VA. He 22 yo single w/m, b. Montgomery Co., VA, s/o Chas. W. Roop & E. Zetta Mcpeak. She 21 yo single w/f, b. Springfield, IL, s/o Wm Sowers & Levey Fisher.

Roy Martin Roop, s/o Charles Wellington & Emmazetta (McPeak) Roop. [mcpeak]

1990 Death: 9-16-1990 Bristol Health Care Center, Bristol, VA but of Rt 1, Radford, Pulaski Co., VA.

Mary Sowers Roop, 79 yo widowed w/f, b. Mar 21, 1911 VA. Spouse: Roy Martin Roop. Father: Willie Sowers. Mother: Leva Fisher. Informant: Zulla Austin, daughter. COD: Alzheimer’s Disease – months; hip fracture. Burial: Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg, VA. No burial date.

1990 Burial: Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., VA.

(src: Find A Grave; photo added by SWVA Genealogy Searcher)

.........4. Sowers, Anna Mae

Parents: William Jackson “Willie” & Leva Ellen (Fisher) Sowers.

1914 Birth: abt 1914 IL.

1920 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with widowed mother.

1929 Marriage #1: Anna m. Vada Autley Altizer 5-19-1929 Sullivan Co., TN.

Vada Autley Altizer, s/o Jacob D. “Jake” & 2^nd wife Ruth Ellen (Goad) Altizer. [Altizer_EmeryJr_mcva]

1977 Death: 8-18-1977 Floyd Co., VA.

1977 Burial: White Rock Cemetery, Floyd Co., VA.

(src: Find A Grave; photo added by CHECK)

.........4. Sowers, Sarah Elizabeth

By Sonia Nance Roberts. These are her grandparents.

Parents: William Jackson “Willie” & Leva Ellen (Fisher) Sowers.

1917 Birth: 2-12-1917 VA.

1920 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with widowed mother.

Marriage #1: Sarah m. Woodrow R. Nance Sr, 1913-2001.

1996 Death: 2-8-1996.

1996 Burial: Sartin Cemetery, Anderson Co., TN.

......3. Sowers, Lula Ellen

Parents: George Thomas & Julia Ann (Akers) Sowers.

1885 Birth: 7-19-1885 Floyd Co., VA.

1890 Floyd Co., VA, Jacksonville District: Lula A. 5 yo.

1900 Floyd Co., VA, Indian Valley District 16, H70: Lula E. 14 yo daughter, b. July 1885 VA.

I1900 Marriage #1: Lula Ellen Sowers m. Charlie Rufus Dulaney 07-12-1900 at Margaret Dulaney's, Floyd Co., VA by Hervey Reed. He 18 yo single w/m farmer, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, s/o M.A. & Margaret Dulaney. She 15 yo single w/f, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, d/o G.A. & Judy Sowers.

Charlie Rufus Dulaney, s/o Madison Albert & 2^nd wife Margaret Ann Elizabeth (Altizer) Dulaney. [dulaney]

1970 Death: 1-2-1970 Alum Ridge, Floyd Co., VA.

Lular Ellen Dulaney, 84 yo widowed w/f, b. July 19, 1885 VA. Spouse: Charlie Dulaney. Father: Thomas J. Sowers. Mother: Julia Ann Akers. Informant: Mrs. Dorse Altizer. COD: congestive heart failure. Burial: White Rock Cemetery, Alum Ridge, VA, Jan 4, 1970.

1970 Burial: White Rock Cemetery, Intersection 740/636, Alum Ridge, Floyd Co., VA.

......3. Sowers, Albert G.

Parents: George Thomas & Julia Ann (Akers) Sowers.

1889 Birth: 5-1889 VA.

1890 Floyd Co., VA, Jacksonville District: Albert G. 2 yo.

1900 Floyd Co., VA, Indian Valley District 16, H70: Albert G. 11 yo son, b. May 1889 VA, farm laborer.

…2. Sowers, Mary E.

Parents: Jacob Solomon & Rebecca (Procise) Sowers.

1853 Birth: abt 1853 VA.

1860 Floyd Co., VA, Floyd Court House PO, H787: Mary E. 7 yo w/f, b. VA.

I1869 Marriage #1: Mary E. Sowers m. William B. Jones 10-21-1869 at Jacob Sowers', Floyd Co., VA by M.A. Davidson. He 22 yo widowed farmer, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, s/o William & Elizabeth Jones. She single 18 yo, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, d/o Jacob & Rebecca Sowers.

William B. Jones, s/o Elizabeth Jones. William was 1^st married to Mary’s sister Louisa. [jones]

…2. Sowers, John William

Parents: Jacob Solomon & 1st wife Rebecca (Procise) Sowers.

1856 Birth: abt 1856 VA.

1860 Floyd Co., VA, Floyd Court House PO, H787: John W. 4 yo w/m, b. VA.

1880 Floyd Co., VA, Jacksonville District, H353: John W. Sowers, 23 yo single w/m cousin, works on farm, b. VA, Aaron Kitterman HOH.

i1880 Marriage #1: John William Sowers m. Laura Henrietta Turman 11-25-1880 at Rebecca Turman's, Floyd Co., VA by Wilson H. Dodd. He 23 yo single w/m farmer, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, s/o Jacob & Rebecca Sowers. She 18 yo single w/f, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, d/o Mahlon & Rebecca Turman.

Laura Henrietta Turman, d/o Mahlon & Rebecca E. (Lester) Turman. [Turman_Mathew_Sarah]

Laura H. Sowers m. 2^nd Wilson A. Weaver 09-12-1889 at Rebecca Turman's, Floyd Co., VA by Amos Dickerson. He 54 yo widowed w/m farmer, b. Floyd Co., VA & living in Franklin Co., KS, s/o Solomon & Sabrina Weaver. She 28 yo widowed w/f, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, d/o Mahlon & Rebecca Turman.

Wilson A. Weaver, s/o Solomon & Sabrina (Dodd) Weaver. [weaver]

End Jacob Solomon Sowers Family – 2 known wives.