John Henry Bowers, born in Alsace in 1817, attended the University of Mühlhausen until 1835. After attending university, Bowers traveled to China and India to observe English Army doctors as they treated cholera. While on this trip, Bowers became interested in medicine. In 1836, Bowers came to Texas with the intention of joining the Texas Army, however, he arrived too late for the battle of San Jacinto. While attending wounded soldiers, Bowers managed to befriend both Sam Houston and the captive Antonio López de Santa Anna. Bowers’ mentor, Dr. Ashbel Smith, encouraged Bowers to pursue a degree in medicine. Bowers obtained his medical degree after attending both the University of Louisiana and Tulane University. Bowers practiced medicine in Galveston, Houston, Brownsville, and Columbus. Furthermore, in Columbus in 1844 Bowers helped open the first drugstore in Texas. In addition to his medical career, Bowers served in the military during the Mexican War. Bowers died at his home in Columbus in 1907.
Sources: Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. “Bowers, John Henry,” http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/BB/fbo44.html (accessed June 29, 2010).
From the guide to the Bowers, John Henry Family Papers 1961., 1854-1949, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)
