BOWMAN, Fred B.

BOWMAN, BRIMMER, ATON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/20/2014 at 06:55:54

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.
Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith, Supervising Editors
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 291-92. Chicago. 1915.

FRED B. BOWMAN

FRED B. BOWMAN, numbered among the up-to-date and progressive agriculturists of Decatur county, is the owner of an excellent farm comprising one hundred and fifty-five acres in Garden Grove township which he has operated continuously for more than two decades. His birth occurred in Dixon, Illinois, on the 11th of June, 1870, his parents being John and Emily (Brimmer) Bowman, the former born near Quebec, Canada, and the latter near Watertown, New York. John Bowman became identified with agricultural pursuits in early life and enlisted for service in the Union army as a youth of seventeen years, joining the Eighth New York Cavalry as a private and remaining with that command until the cessation of hostilities between the north and the south. He received a slight wound in the final engagement of the war at or near Appomattox Courthouse but did not stay in the hospital and, remaining in the ranks, witnessed the surrender of General Lee to General Grant. When the war was over he made his way to Watertown, New York, where for a few years he operated a farm, and subsequently he spent a year at farm labor near Dixon, Illinois. He next went to Missouri, making his home within thirty miles of St. Joseph for three years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Wayne county, Iowa, where he has resided continuously since, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and takes a deep interest in the activities of the local post. To him and his wife were born tw^o children: Fred B., of this review; and Alice, who is a stenographer residing in Chicago. The mother of these children died in 1897, and the father subsequently married Miss Emma Henry, by whom he has two children, Theodore and Waltham. Fred B. Bowman acquired his early education in the pubhc schools of Wayne county, Iowa, later attended college at Humeston, Iowa, and pursued a course of study in the Capital City Commercial College of Des Moines. He then returned to the home place in Wayne county, where he remained until 1894, when he came to Decatur county, purchasing a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres in Garden Grove township, which he has operated continuously since and has brought to a high state of cultivation and improvement. He has erected thereon a substantial residence and good barns and the property is thrifty and attractive in appearance, giving evidence of the able supervision as well as prosperity of its owner. Mr. Bowman raises the cereals common to his locality and also raises horses, cattle and hogs, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. Fruit trees, wells and windmills add much to the attractiveness of the place and also enhance its value.

On the 29th of December, 1902, M. Bowman was united in marriage to Miss Eva Aton, a daughter of Samuel and Lucinda Aton, of Decatur county, Iowa. To them have been born five children, namely: Florie and Freda, twins; George; Gladys; and Evaline L. Mrs. Bowman is a graduate of the Garden Grove high school and followed the profession of teaching for one year with excellent success prior to her marriage. She is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and, like her husband, has a host of warm friends in the community.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014