Brower article by Karen

Elmer L. Brower; WWI Veteran

By Karen Cuccinello

Here is another WWI veteran from our photo collection at the Stamford Village Library.

Elmer was born in Stamford July 17, 1895 to Byron and Carrie (Rockwell) Brower. He had at least three other siblings; Earl, Floyd and Alice, and lived in Stamford or Gilboa until about 1941 when he moved to Utica, NY.

On his WWI Registration card Elmer lists his occupation as a chauffeur, he’s single and is described as tall and slender with brown eyes and hair. His WWI abstract of service states he was inducted into the service in Delhi on September 19, 1917 age 22; served in Company K 310 Infantry; served overseas from June 28, 1918 to July 13, 1919 and was honorably discharged July 19, 1919.

On January 5, 1922, at age 24, he married 22 year old Elsie Becker daughter of Thomas and Grace (Schaffer) Becker, in Stamford. They have five children living with them in the 1940 Stamford census; Donald, Thomas, Victor, Shirley (I believe he later took the name Charles), and Rose Marie.

While helping out at a car accident scene at the corner of Main and North Delaware streets, in 1926, he got into an argument with Deputy Sheriff Campo. Elmer was charged with disorderly conduct and was fined $10 and given 30 days suspended sentence.

In the 1930 and 1940 Stamford census Elmer lists his occupation as auto repair mechanic. His father died in 1928 and his mother, who lived with him after his father’s death, died in 1934.

March 19, 1964 Utica Daily Press- Elmer L. Brower, 68, of 322 Gilbert St. died in Syracuse Veterans Hospital. He had resided in Utica for the past 25 years. Mr. Brower served with the Army overseas during World War 1. For the past five years he had been employed by the New York Central Railroad and prior to that by the Bendix and Bossert Corporation. Besides his wife he leaves three sons, Edward L. Brower and Sherman E. Brower, both of Utica; Charles Brower, Stamford; a daughter, Mrs. George (Rose) Gras, Utica. and a brother, Floyd Brower, Prattsville.

He and his wife, who died seven months later, are buried in Stamford with his parents.