Mary Bowler 1852-1926

BOWLER, ODONNELL, OCONNOR, DUMPHY, BARTELS, GRIFFIN

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 4/10/2011 at 16:15:28

Nov 11, 1926 - Carroll Times - Mrs. Mary O'Donnell Bowler passed away at her home in the fourth ward Thursday morning, November 4, at 5:15 o'clock after an illness of but a few days duration. She had been in failing health however for over a year.

Mrs. Bowler was born near Annacaul in County Kerry, Ireland, January 9, 1852. Her early girlhood was spent in the Emerald Isle, the land she loved so dearly. She often spoke of the beauties surrounding the place of her birth, which included the lakes of Killearney and many other places famous in Irish history.

When 20 years of age she came to America and was united in marriage at Columbus, Ohio., to John Bowler of Columbus, also from the same place in Ireland. They had known each other since childhood. Here one child was born. In 1874 they came west and settled in Arcadia where Mr. Bowler was engaged in the building of bridges for the Chicago & Northwestern, then extending its lines west.

In 1875 they moved to Carroll and the family has resided here continuously since. Mrs. Bowler reared a large family, seven of her children preceding her in death. Mr. Bowler died October 26, 1913.

The surviving children are: Thomas Bowler, John Bowler and Miss Loretta Bowler of Carroll; Mrs. Dennis O'Connor and Mrs. Nora Dumphy of Omaha, and Mrs. George Bartels of Waterloo. All of these were at her bedside when she passed away. Other relatives living are Mrs. Catherine Bowler, a sister of Carroll; Timothy O'Donnell of Omaha; John O'Donnell, living on the home place in Ireland; and Mrs. James Griffin of Carroll.

Mrs. Bowler was a devout Catholic and when her health permitted was a daily attendant at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. She took an active part in everything promoted for the welfare of the St. Joseph parish of which she was a constant member since its establishment. She lived to see St. Joseph's church celebrate its golden jubilee and though frail and worn with sickness attended the jubilee mass and celebration of the day. Her devotion to the Sacred Heart was an inspiration to her family and her reward was that fully conscious she received the last rites of the church. When in good health she was an active member of the Women's Civic League of this city and was very devoted to the cause.

Her funeral took place from the St. Joseph church Saturday morning, November 6, and what is now mortal of her rests in the St. Joseph cemetery. Those from out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Howell of Omaha; Patrick Meiheal and Johanna Foley of Jackson, Minn., and Rev. Fr. Costello of Ida Grove.