William W. Bowers

Who was William W. Bowers?

William Wallace Bowers was a U.S. Representative from California.

Born in Whitestown, New York, Bowers attended the common schools. He moved to Wisconsin in 1854. He enlisted as a private in Company I, First Wisconsin Cavalry, on February 22, 1862. He was discharged from the service as second sergeant February 22, 1865. He moved to San Diego, California, in 1869. He engaged in ranching. He served as member of the State assembly in 1873 and 1874. He was appointed collector of customs of the port of San Diego, California, September 25, 1874, and served until his resignation on February 3, 1879. He owned and operated a hotel in San Diego 1884-1891. He served as member of the State senate 1887-1889.

Bowers was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-second, Fifty-third, and Fifty-fourth Congresses. He served as chairman of the Committee on Revision of the Laws. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1896 to the Fifty-fifth Congress. He was again appointed collector of customs of the port of San Diego, California, on March 15, 1902, and served until March 4, 1906. He resided in San Diego, California, in retirement until his death there on May 2, 1917. He was interred in the Masonic Cemetery.