asblowers.html

History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

AMBY SILUS BLOWERS 1889
Contributed by Lawrence Blowers

Amby Silus Blowers was born at East Otto, Cattaraugus Co., N.Y. Dec. 31, 1845, his ancestors being among the earliest settlers in the new world, the first of the name, Thos. Blowers having sailed from London A.D. 1635 and locating at Boston, Mass.
The war records at Washington, D.C. and records preserved at Albany, N.Y. dis-close that the family bore their part in the wars of the revolution and of 1812, seven members of the family having served in the army during the revolution. One of the family, Sampson S. Blowers was a classmate of President John Adams at Harvard and was for 36 years Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, he being the only member of the family to espouse the cause of the mother country in the war with the colonies. Amby S. Blowers was the son of Asa S. and Charlotte (Heth) Blowers and having the misfortune to lose his father, who died of consumption, was compelled to take care of himself at a very early age and his education was acquired outside of schools. He enlisted in Co. A. 2nd Reg. Minnesota Vol. Cavalry at the age of 17 and served three years under General Sibley during the civil war. The Regiment was started south but owing to the outbreak of the warlike Sioux Indiana in Minn. at that time returned to the state and was kept in that service until the Indians were subdued in Montana in 1866.
Mr. Blowers married Ellen L. Damon in Fillmore Co., Minn., at the close of the war and they resided in that state until January 1889. Mr. Blowers being engaged in milling and the mercantile business during these years at Richwood, Beck-er Co. and New York Mills, Ottertail Co. Mr. Blowers was one of the first County Commissioners of Becker Co. and built the first lumber and flour mill at Richwood, he was also Mayor of New York Mills and Commissioner at Ottertail Co.
He arrived at Hood River Oregon March 4, 1889 and with his eldest son, Lawrence bought the mercantile business of E.L. Smith. They erected the first brick building in Hood River at the corner of Oak and 2nd Sts. and both have served the city of Hood River as mayor, the son having been twice elected to that position. A.S. Blowers was also County Commissioner of Wasco Co., he was an active member of the Free Masons and Grand Army of the Republic having served the former organization as worshipful Master and Commander of the latter. He surveyed two additions to the City of Hood River, known as Blowers first and second additions and at one time with Hon. E.L. Smith owned the city water works. A hard working, busy man he faced life and its problems tranquilly and fearlessly. He never turned a hungry person who made his wants known from his door for as he often said, it was better to feed nine that were unworthy than to refuse one that was worthy.
Mr. Blowers was successful in his business ventures and in his later years lived, in affluence, but never forgot the hardships of his youth and was always very sympathetic with others who were struggling upwards, the records of Hood River County show that he loaned considerable money, after retiring from active business, but he never foreclosed a mortgage or pressed a debtor who was making an honest effort to pay. He was a man who loved truth and justice and had an intense dislike for snobbery and caste. He sincerely believed that all men were made of about the same kind of clay, He was a good companion, a man who could tell good stories and enjoy hearing others tell them. Physically he was about 5 feet 9 inches in height and in his later years weighed about 200 pounds, very muscular and was seldom outfitted or thrown in a wrestling bout.
He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Hood River and for several years one of its directors. He owned a library of several hundred volumes and made a practice of reading nearly every night until 11 o'clock, was very domestic in his tastes and cared nothing for clubs, billiards or other diversions of that character, but had no prejudice against sports of such character as boxing or a horse race if it was "on the square".
His wife died April 22, 1908 and he followed her Nov. 23, 1912 and their remains now rest in Idlewilde Cemetery near the little city they both loved so well. The following children survive: Lawrence N., Samuel M. and Aubroy S., and Mrs. May Yates, Mrs. Edith Early, Mrs. Minnie Nickelsen, Mrs. Eva Haynes, Mrs. Blanche ..............