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LIFE STORY OF ARIAH COATS BROWER, PIONEER PRINTER
Written by Himself
Copied by Amos W. Bair, grandson, March 1, 1942
Recopied by Oradell Brower Triplett, great granddaughter, August 1960 Copied onto Computer database by Elbert Richard Brower, 3ggs, 16 Dec. 1998
Ariah Coats Brower, the son of John T. Brower and Fanny Brower, born Jan. 13, 1817, in the town of Phelps, Ontario County, New York. My father was born in the state of New Jersey and my mother was born in the state of Massachusetts. My grandfather's name on the side of my father was Joseph and my grandmother's name was Leah. My grandfather's name on the side of my mother was Ariah Coats and the name of my grandmother was Tabitha Coats. The early part of my life was spent in the place of my nativity in helping my father in the pursuits of agriculture, in connection with my two brothers, Joseph and William. The opportunity, which I had for obtaining an education, was very limited.
In the year of 1830, my father moved to the state of Ohio, Huntsburgh, Geange County, in order that he might obtain land for himself and children. After a tedious journey we arrived safe in the destined place, a wilderness country, and began to open a farm and prepare to get a living by cultivation the soil. The fall of 1831 my mother died, which was a severe blow to the family. The fall following (1832) my father took a trip back to the State of New York to visit his friends as well as to transact some business; and while visiting among some of his friends in Palmyra, Wayne County, was introduced to a widow woman by the name of Hussey, the wife of William Tucker Hussey, who had been dead but a few years. After a short aquaintance, my father got married and immediately returned to the State of Ohio, bringing with him his wife and her three children, Cordelia Ann, Margaret Elizabeth, and William Henry; their ages being about 16, 13, and 8 years. In the spring of 1833 my brother Joseph married the oldest daughter of my stepmother, Cordelia Ann, (and I had a particular regard for the other daughter). Not being altogether satisfied with my home situation and being desirous to learn something of the world and upon seeing a notice in the paper for an apprentice, I resolved to learn the art of printing which I accordingly commenced on the 17th day of May, 1833, with Eber D. Howe, publisher of the Painsville Telegraph, in Geanga County, Ohio. When I left home my father gave me all the money he had, which was 43 3/4 cents, to bear my expense, which I gladly received (it being the most I had ever had before, I felt quite rich) and started.
The same afternoon I reached Painsville, and upon going into the office inquired if the Editor were in, and being answered in the affirmative, inquired if he had the apprentice which he had advertised for; after surveying me from head to foot and from foot to head several times (no doubt thinking that I was a green 'un) very abruptly said no! At this moment I began to take courage. After a few more questions and answers, he concluded that he would take me on trial one week and if at the expiration of that time, we could both agree, I might go on and learn the trade. This was all that I wanted, for I had no fears but which I could suit him, and I was certain to bring no objections to him.
The weeks passed and all was right. The indenture was drawn for my father to sign, which he (my father) very reluctantly did. I pursued this business till fall, when I was taken sick; during my sickness my step-mother came out to take care of me, and as soon as I got able to move she took me home. I stayed that winter and went to school. During the winter the regard which I had for my stepmother's daughter was increased to affection in spite of all I could do to the contrary. However, before I returned in the spring to my former business, I popped the question and got the much-desired answer. Then returned to finish my trade. During the process of which my father, stepmother and intended wife joined the Mormons, and in 1836 in September, moved for the western country. After they had got into Illinois, they heard that the Saints in Missouri were whipped and were returning back to Ohio, so they concluded to settle down till they got further orders from the President of the Church.
After I had finished my trade, I went to Detroit, Michigan to get work in order that I might get means to go west with. That I might fully realize the desire of my heart; but on account of sickness and misfortune, two long years elapsed before I could affect my object. During which time I kept up a correspondence with my parents. In Jan. 1837, I left Detroit and went up to the mouth of Black River to work, where I had a very severe spell of sickness which lasted six weeks; after which I returned to my brother-in-laws (Joshua Bosley) in Ohio, where I tarried till towards fall and assisted him on a mill dam for a man by the name of Armstrong. After it was completed, I concluded I would have to take another tramp, in which I would endeavor to reach the western country, or the place where my heart was conceded. The first place I stopped at was Toledo where I went to work at my trade for the sum of nine dollars a week. About the last boat that went down the lake that fall, I embarked in for Sandusky City, where I intended to take stage for Columbus, Ohio. I arrived at Sandusky City on the following day in good health. In rambling about the town for a short time waiting for the usual time for the stage to leave I fell in company with an old chum by the name of Job A. Symes, who entertained me very kindley until the time for the departure of the stage, which was on the following day but one, when I left for Columbus, Ohio where I arrived after a trip through mud and mire for several days in safety, with not a shilling in my pocket. As good luck would have it for me, I obtained a situation the next day in the "Statesman" Office.
By this time I began to think that I had almost got in sight of my father. I continued to work in Columbus, till the fourth of July 1838, when I hoisted sail for Illinois. Previous to this time I wrote a letter to my parents, in which I stated that I had become dissatisfied and had not clothes to cover my back, and if I was not home by a certain time, they need not look for me for I intended to go to England and from thence to parts unknown. I wrote this letter in order to give them a false impression of my habits. The stated time elapsed and I did not leave for home, because I did not get the means which was due to me; but on account of my daily anticipations, I did not write and correct the statement concerning the time which I should be home. Days, weeks, and almost a month elapsed before I effected a settlement and obtained the means to pay my expenses to Illinois, which I accomplished just in time to leave on the fourth of July 1838. This was one of the happiest days of my life. The stage left at 10 o'clock a.m. It being a day of consequence, I could hardly tell whether we were going by steam or horse power. The day passed very pleasantly, with now and then a pleasant scene; such running over pigs, dogs, turning over the stage, etc. About the middle of the day we met a party of about forty ladies and gentlemen who were dressed in every respect becoming the day, as they were about passing the whipple-trees of the stage hit the legs of one of the horses and occasioned him to jump from the road into the gutter, which was about two feet deep with stiff mud. The horse in trying to extricate himself, threw his gaily-attired rider, head first into the mud, which presented an aspect worthy the attention of a poet. The gentleman who accompanied her was obliged to pull her out and return home leaving the rest of the company to enjoy their jovial ride. One o'clock at night brought us to Dayton, where we stayed until the next morning, when we again persued our journey. Nothing of importance occurred the remainder of the journey to Tere-Haute, Indiana. Here I tarried for two days, and there being no conveyance any further, I was obliged to resort to shank horses for the remaining sixty-five miles, which I accomplished in two days.
On the evening of the 12th or 13t
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