Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1916 — TO ENJOY REMAINING YEARS [ARTICLE]

TO ENJOY REMAINING YEARS

Prominent Railroad Official Retires Front High Position to Lead a Life of Leisure. Harry Gower, for 15 years general traffic manager of the Rock Island Railroad system, has voluntarily relinquished his $12,000 a year position that he may devote all his time to painting dabbling in horticulture, fishing and playing golf. Mr. Gower is sixty-one years old and has been connected with the RockJslamL. road 38 yeqrs. With Mrs. Gower—the couple have no children —he will make his home on a small tract of land near Palm Beach, Fla., says the Business and Transportation World. Enjoying the distinction of being the first railroad officer in Chicago to voluntarily retire with a pension available, Mr. Gower will be further distinguished. by dropping., all .business and devoting his time to cherished life-time ambitions in the way of painting, and other avocations. Here are some of Mr. Gower’s ideas of living: “To me life is worth living, and to do this or get all there is out of it one must not lose his identity. I have been in the railroad business practically all my life, yet I have tried ,o retain some individuality. I have not allowed the railroad to master me. “I believe some people get passe by too much working. I have never worked Sundays, except once in my life, whten I helped defend the company’s property during the ‘Debs strike of 1894. “I am not rich, but we do not need much, as we will pursue the simple life. “Many people do not enjoy play, because they make work of it. I never make a business of my pleasures. I like to paint water colors from sketches of rambles through the country. “A friend once asked me why I did not take painting lessons. I told him that if I took lessons that I would begin to study technique, and the minute I did that I would make work of my painting and the minute it became work it would cease to be pleasure.” Mr. Gower was born in England and inherits the .British idea of retiring from business early in life and devoting oneself to his avocation. In England many of those who retire are chosen to honorary civil offices without pay. - ,