Benjamin F. Bowman, b. 1847

KEISLER, DEAN, POOL

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/20/2004 at 11:42:48

Benjamin F. Bowman, proprietor of one of the most valuable farms in this county, operates 160 acres of land on section 32, and 240 acres in Clinton County. The first mentioned is especially adapted to grain-raising, and Mr. Bowman annually feeds large numbers of cattle and other stock, in which he has been decidedly successful. He has a good set of farm buildings, and his homestead, taken altogether, is a very desirable piece of property. It not only forms one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of this region, but assists greatly in augmenting the list of first-class taxable property.

The subject of this notice was born in Rockingham County, Va., in 1847, and four years later journeyed with his parents to the young State of Iowa, going by the way of Parkersburg on the Ohio River, and thence by boat to Bellevue, making a journey of twenty-eight days. Arriving in this county, the father took up a tract of wild land in Maquoketa Township, where young Bowman was reared to man's estate, receiving his education mostly in the district school. He remained a member of the parental household until twenty-four years of age, then purchased 160 acres of land (that which he now owns), and began its cultivation and improvement. He labored in common with the pioneers around him early and late, and in due time began to enjoy the fruits of his toil. A course of prudence and economy brought its reward, and, in addition to the cultivation of his land, Mr. Bowman in due time embellished his farm with the necessary buildings, including a fine brick residence, two stories in height, with basement, and occupying an area of 24 x 34 feet. The main barn is 50 x 84 feet in dimensions. The other outbuildings are roomy and substantial, and there is a wind-mill, water-tanks, and everything essential to profitable agriculture. Bowman Creek supplies the farm with a stream of never-failing water. There is an ample supply of native timber, and Mr. Bowman has set out fruit and forest trees in goodly numbers.

In 1882 our subject invested a portion of his surplus capital in land in Clinton County, securing 240 acres in partnership with S. H. Bowman. This is devoted largely to stock-raising, they making a specialty of fullblooded Short-horn and Hereford cattle, being the largest feeders in the township, and shipping two carloads annually. They also deal considerably in swine and grain. Three teams are employed by Mr. Bowman in his farming operations, these being English draft horses.

The parents of our subject were Jacob and Elizabeth (Keisler) Bowman, both natives of the Old Dominion, the father born in Rockingham County, along the Shenandoah Valley, March 14, 1797, and the mother in Pendleton County, now West Virginia, in 1806. The paternal grandfather, Peter Bowman, was a native of Holland, and, coming to America in his youth, settled in Lancaster County, Pa. Thence he removed to Rockingham County, Va., during the period of its early settlement, and purchased 200 acres of land, from which he improved a good farm. He was an expert rifleman, and met his death by being accidentally shot while hunting. He had three sons, who served as soldiers in the War of 1812.

On the maternal side of the house Grandfather George Keisler was a native of Pendleton County, now West Virginia, and during the Revolutionary War served as a soldier under the direct command of Gen. Washington. Later he carried a musket in the War of 1812. He was the owner of 200 acres of land, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-three years. His son Jacob, the father of our subject, was reared amid the quiet scenes of farm life in the old Dominion, received his education in the common school, and upon reaching manhood purchased the old homestead and 500 acres adjoining. In 1851 he disposed of all his property, and, coming to Iowa, purchased 520 acres of partially improved land in Maquoketa Township, this county. Here he labored in true pioneer style, was prospered, and, upon retiring from the actual duties of life, divided up the greater portion of his property among his children, retaining for his own use 160 acres, and upon this sojourned until his death, which took place July 16, 1881. He was a stanch Democrat, politically, and both parents were members of the Christian Church. The mother survived her husband about three years, passing away at the old homestead in 1884.

To Jacob and Elizabeth Bowman there were born the following children, namely: George W., a resident of Maquoketa; Jacob K.; Susan, deceased; Francis, of Maquoketa Township; Sarah E. (Mrs. Dean) of Dubuque; Hannah, living in Oregon; Nancy, a resident of Clinton County, this State; Elizabeth (deceased), William, Benjamin, and Stephen, of Maquoketa Township; and Polly A., deceased.

The marriage of Benjamin F. Bowman and Miss Katie Pool was celebrated at the bride's home in Maquoketa Feb. 25, 1876. Mrs. Bowman was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Dec. 6, 1860, and came to Iowa with her parents when six years old. Her childhood and youth were spent uneventfully with her parents, whose family consisted of eleven children, and with whom she remained until her marriage. Her union with our subject has resulted in the birth of four children, namely: Walter, Burton, Howard, and Verner. Mr. Bowman, politically, is a decided Democrat. He has served on the Grand Jury, and officiated as School Director and Road Supervisor. He cares little for the spoils of office, preferring to give his time and attention to his farming interests. He is accounted one of the most thorough and skillful agriculturists along the southern line of the county, and as a man and a citizen ranks as one of the most valued members of his community.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)