John Wesley Brower, his wife Melissa Wheeldon and their son James "Jim" Jeremiah Brower

This photo was taken in Brainerd, Crow Wing, Minnesota. Melissa was blind and had been blind 8 years before her death. The boys in the picture are John Everett Brower and Albert Herman Brower, sons of James "Jim" Jeremiah Brower in this picture and their mother was Rozella Pearl Chase. 

Melissa Wheeldon is the daughter of Cornelius Wheeldon and Cynthia Lee. 

John Wesley Brower is the eldest son of Jeremiah John Brower and Sarah Jane Woods.

Digital photo was provided to me by a direct descendant of James "Jim" Jeremiah Brower. Thank you Ben Brower!

Idella Brower

Idella Brower, daughter of John Wesley Brower and Melissa Wheeldon. 

Inscription
Jan. 10, 1893
Oct. 19, 1902

A smile has passed, which
filled our home with light.
A soul whose beauty made
that smile so bright.

Burial at Evergreen Cemetery

Brainerd

Crow Wing County

Minnesota, USA

Plot: Block 10; Lot 100 1/2, NEC N ½

Plastic flowers left at Idella's gravesite by someone a year or so ago. 

 Pictures provided by John Van Essen, a volunteer on Find a Grave. Thank you John for going above and beyond!

Marriage License of James Jeremiah Brower and Rozella Pearl Chase - First Marriage

Marriage License of James Jeremiah Brower and Rozella Pearl Chase - First Marriage

MOMS - Minnesota Official Marriage System 

James Jeremiah "Jim" Brower

Jim left Lucas, Iowa to head to Canada for a new lead on life. Along the way he meets Ms. Rozella Pearl Chase, only 16 years of age and Jim is 34. Together they have 3 children, two surviving and one little girl named Bertha who died in infancy. When the boys were very young, their mother left the home and in 1920 Jim listed himself as widowed. Jim's parents relocated from Lucas, Iowa to Brainerd, Crow Wing, MN to help Jim with the boys. The stories I have heard is that Jim and the boys jumped box cars on their way to St. Joseph, Missouri, finally settling in St. Joseph, Missouri. His parents John Wesley Brower and Melissa Wheeldon later follow Jim to St. Joseph, Missouri and settled near Maryville, Missouri.  Nearly 8 to 10 years later, Pearl, Jim's estranged ex-wife and him remarry. They stay married until Jim's final days.


James Jeremiah Brower b. April 8, 1877 in Lucas County, Iowa. He married Rozella Chase on August 21, 1911 in Crow Wing, Minnesota.

James Jeremiah Brower and Rozella Chase had 3 children, little Bertha passed away a few months after she was born. 

1. John Everett Brower b. between 1912-1913 in Minnesota, probably Crow Wing County. Last known residence was in 1944,  St. Joseph, Missouri. 
2. Albert Herman Brower b. Feb. 20, 1914 in Crow Wing Minnesota, d. Nov. 28, 1996 in Sacramento, Calfornia. 
3. Bertha Lillian Brower b. Feb. 16, 1917 in Brainerd, Crow Wing, Minnesota, d. April 11, 1917 and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Crow Wing, Minnesota.  

Rozella's parents were Franklin Chase and Syren Hathaway.

In 1930, James Jeremiah Brower and Pearl (Rozella Pearl Chase) marry a second time. They married in Missouri and she is also listed on his death certificate.

"Jim" James Jeremiah Brower

Rozella Pearl Chase

Picture of "Jim" James Jeremiah Brower and sons, Albert Herman Brower and John E. Brower

John Wesley Brower, son of Jeremiah John Brower and Sarah Jane Woods, his wife Melissa Wheeldon, their son James "Jim" Jeremiah Brower and his two sons John Everett Brower and Albert Herman Brower

James Jeremiah Brower