Bowman, William R.

WINNE, RULE, GOODSPEED, FERGUSON, ELLSWORTH, CROSSMAN, OWEN

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/7/2010 at 17:33:30

Among the men whose well directed activity, sound business judgment and public spirit were important factors in promoting the growth and upbuilding of Bremer county for many years was numbered William R. Bowman, whose death, which occurred January 5, 1913 deprived this locality of one of her leading and representative citizens. Mr. Bowman was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1854, and was a son of Godloe H. and Jane C.(Smith)Bowman, the former a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Berks county, that state.

William R. Bowman was reared in Pennyslvania, acquiring his education in the public schools of New Brighton. Following the completion of his studies he came in 1874 to Iowa and settled in Waverly, where with two brothers he established first the Bank of Waverly, later the Bremer County Bank and eventually the First National Bank of Waverly. These connections show him to have been one of the constructive leaders in the financial circles of Waverly and he was acknowledged as such. He and his brother, J.H. Bowman, now deceased, entered upon the business of breeding and raising blooded cattle and horses on an extensive scale. They did a large importing business and were instrumental in bringing into this part of the country a strain of Percheron horses which has been for years the pride of the state, as were also the shorthorn and other kinds of cattle which have given Bremer county the enviable position which she holds today as a cattle-raising and dairy section. The Bowmans were among the first to breed Kentucky horses and Shetland ponies in this part of the state and thus contributed further to the development of the stock-raising interests of the county. William R. Bowman's interests extended to many other fields as is evident by the fact that he built the first canning factory in Bremer county, the building now occupied by the Waverly Savings Bank, and a railroad ticket office. He resided in Waverly for many years although at intervals he made his home in Independence, Mason City and Clear Lake, in all of which communities his ability was known and recognized and his public spirit accounted as an important factor in municipal growth. He was invariably one of the first to offer his assistance to any movement for the good of his city.

Mr. Bowman was twice married. He wedded first in 1878 Miss Emma Winne, a native of Wisconsin, and they became the parents of three children, the youngest of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Corry Jane, who married Vernon Rule, of Mason City; and Winnie, residing with her sister. Mr. Bowman's first wife passed away June 11, 1904, and on the 27th of October, 1906, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Luella Goodspeed, a native of Lockport, New York and a daughter of Seymour and Mary J. (Ferguson) Goodspeed. The father was born in Niagara county, New York, March 1, 1834, and the mother in the same locality, January 24, 1842. They came to Iowa in 1867 and located on a farm one mile east of Waverly, remaining there until 1908, when the father turned the property over to his son and moved to Waverly, where he lives retired. His wife passed away in 1909. To their union were born ten children: Mrs. Bowman, wife of the subject of this review; Bertha, who married Fred G. Ellsworth, of Osage, Iowa; Jennie, the wife of John C. Crossman, of Lockport, New York; Nellie L., who married Fred E. Owen, of Spokane, Washington; Nettie, who is a twin to Nellie, and who resides with her father; Alta, who died at the age of seven; Almeda, who passed away in 1908; Herman, who died at the age of two; Ray H., who resides on the home farm; and Seymour H., of Black Warrior, Arizona.

Mr. Bowman was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal church and during the period of his residence in Waverly was always active in its affairs, serving as a member of the vestry and as superintendent of the Sunday school. He did a great deal for the upbuilding of the church and his generous kindness toward the poor, the aged and the afflicted was a prominent quality in his character. He was connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mystic Toilers. He was a member of the various stockbreeders associations and his political allegiance was given to the republican party and although he was not active as an office seeker he did a great deal toward promoting the permanent interests of the community in which he resided. He was interested in antique coins and had a large collection, his Chinese specimens being especailly valuable. He died at Independence, where he was visiting friends, on January 5, 1913, and thus a life of genuine and unostentatious usefulness was brought to a close. He had long been regarded as one of the leading citizens of this locality, which owes the establishment of many of its most important institutions to his initiative spirit, and his passing was widely and deeply regretted by his friends and business associates.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914