Errett Merton Bower was born on 21 January 1894, in Marion County, Ohio. His parents are Charles H & Agnes Bower. In 1915, Errett was listed in Marion’s City Directory as an Optician. Dr. Errett M. Bower had relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, and was working as an Optometrist with the Parson Company. On 8 June 1917, he entered service in Georgia.

Errett M. Bower was promoted to the rank of Private First Class (PFC), on 1 November 1917. He was assigned to Company D, 6th Engineers, 3rd Division “Rock of the Marne.” PFC Errett was a veteran of the Somme Offensive; Champagne-Marne; Aisne-Marne; and St. Mihiel. PFC Errett was wounded at the Battle of the Meuse Argonne, and subsequently died of his wounds on 26 October 1918.

PFC Errett M. Bower was first buried in the French Military Cemetery at Fromereville, Meuse, France, on 26 October 1918. His remains were then moved to the Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France. On 18 June 1921, the remains of PFC Bowers were disinterred and shipped aboard the U. S. A. T. Cantigny, to Hoboken, New Jersey. On 12 August 1921 his remains arrived back in Marion County for final rest.

PFC Errett M. Bower is buried in the Marion Cemetery.
Errett M. Bower is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.