Born in Clayton, NY and raised near Sackett's Harbor, Flower grew up to join the Union Army during the Civil War. As a young officer he saw battle at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Richmond. After the Civil War, he settled in Toledo and through business and family relationships with George Reynolds, created S.W. Flower and Co. in 1876, dealing in grain & seed and specializing in clover.

When he died in 1908, he bequeathed both property and funds to establish a hospital, in his wife's honor.  

The original Flower Hospital opened in 1910 at Cherry and Collingwood. Ground was broken for the Sylvania location on Oct. 25, 1972 and on March 9, 1975 about 70 patients, along with staff, equipment, and records were moved to the new campus.