William Parker Bowman, 1823-1917
BOWMAN, BOYNTON, MCDONALD, PURDAY
Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 6/11/2013 at 13:09:19
DEATH OF A NONAGENARIAN
W.P. Bowman Died Early Friday Morning
William Parker Bowman, one of Spencer's best beloved citizens died at his home on West Second street Friday morning at two o'clock, at the age of ninety-four years, two months and four days.
Mr. Bowman was born in Essex county, New York on February 12, 1823. At that time James Monroe was serving his second tem as president of the United States. Mr. Bowman grew to manhood while Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren and William Henry Harrison were presidents of the United States. He voted first in a presidential election in 1844, the year James K. Polk was elected president.
Mr. Bowman was the son of Thaddeus and Martha Upham Bowman. His grandfather served in the second war with England and lived to be ninety years of age, and Mr. Bowman's father lived to be eighty-nine years of age.
Parker Bowman was raised on a New York farm in Essex county. At the age of twenty-four he moved to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and afterwards lived in Marquette, Wisconsin. In 1864 he enlisted as a private in Co. K, first Wisconsin heavy artillery and served until the close of the war. After his discharge from the army he returned to his home in Marquette, Wisconsin and farmed for a year, and in 1865 moved to Mitchell county, Iowa, where he bought a farm and lived until 1874 when he came to Clay county and has since resided here. He bought a tract of land in Lone Tree township and farmed for a few years, and then removed to this city, and conducted a dray business for many years, and for a good many years his advanced age forbid much activities, and he has quietly lived making his home with his daughter, Miss Ella and Mrs. McDonald.
Until very recently Mr. Bowman was able to get up town and greet his many friends. He was very active and enjoyed companionship with his old time friends.
Mr. Bowman was married on June 2, 1847 to Miss Lestina Charlotte Boynton. She was born in Essex county, New York, and she and her husband were school mates. For more than sixty years they traveled life's journey together, sharing all the joys and adversities with each other, and the greatest loss of Mr. Bowman's life was when this companion of more than sixty years died on January 4, 1908, at the age of eighty years.
Parker Bowman was one of the most upright of men in all business dealings. He was generous and charitable. He loved his children devotedly, and the times when it was possible for them to be home and visit were memorable occasions with him.
He loved the country and country life. He loved the great outdoors and in the summer he was always out working at something around his place. He loved the flowers and birds, and always at the Parker Bowman home could be seen pans of water for the birds. He never spoke unkindly of anyone. He always had a pleasant word to say, or he said nothing.
In his neighborhood where he was known more intimately he was beloved. The children knew him and admired him. He enjoyed visiting with those he knew, and he is going to be most sadly missed by a large circle of friends.
Mr. Bowman leaves to mourn his death five children all who were at his bedside when he died. Mrs. Harriet A. Purday of Bushnell, Illinois, Dr. A.H. Bowman of Sundance, Wyoming, Mrs. Minnie McDonald, W.N. Bowman and Miss Ella M. Bowman of this city.
Mr. Bowman was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge for more than fifty years, and was also a member of Annet Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and also served on the city council.
The funeral was held from the home Sunday afternoon at three o'clock. The sermon was preached by Dr. J.O. Thrush, pastor of the Congregational church. The Odd Fellows lodge attended in a body and gave their beautiful ritualistic services at Riverside cemetery, where the body of this beloved man was laid to rest.
Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; May 2, 1917.
Interment in Riverside cemetery
Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
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