William M. Bowman, b. 1 Jun 1845

FARR

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/21/2004 at 10:57:42

William M. Bowman, one of the skillful and intelligent agriculturists of Maquoketa Township, operates 160 acres of land on section 3, and is recognized as a man of more than ordinary intelligence, especially adapted to agricultural pursuits. He is the offspring of a good family, and the brother of Benjamin F. Bowman, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. He was born near Harrisonburg, Rockingham Co., Va., June 1, 1845, and lived there until five years of age. In the spring of 1851 he came to this county with his parents, and here developed into manhood.

Young Bowman lived with his parents until twenty-four years of age, then purchased 124 acres of land, and began farming on his own account. He labored industriously a number of years, bring the soil to a state of cultivation, putting up buildings, and adding the improvements naturally suggested by his necessities and for his convenience. This land was well watered by a branch of Mill and Stephens Creek. In due time he purchased forty-six acres additional, and operated it until 1887. Then, with the intention of seeking the Farther West, he sold out, but finally abandoned his western venture. Then, with a natural affection for the old place, he succeeded in returning to it, and now operates as a renter. Mr. Bowman makes a specialty of live-stock, buying, feeding, and shipping cattle on a moderate scale. He also keeps a goodly number of swine, and utilizes three teams of good horses on the farm. He lives comfortably, and manages to extract a goodly amount of pleasure and enjoyment from life.

Our subject was married in Maquoketa Township Sept. 30, 1869, to Miss Candace M. Farr. Mrs. Bowman is a native of the Province of Ontario, Canada, and was born Sept. 13, 1847, in Louth Township, Lincon County. Her parents left the Dominion six years later, coming to Iowa, and making the journey overland from Freeport, crossing the Mississippi River on the ice, over which the little girl walked, and was naturally very proud of her accomplishment. The parents settled on a tract of land in Maquoketa Township, and Miss Candace was given an excellent education, completing her studies at Mt. Vernon, in Linn County, this State. She finally developed into a teacher, and met with very good success.

Mrs. Bowman is a lady of much intelligence and refinement, and both she and her husband have reason to be proud of their bright family of children, who are more than ordinarily intelligent for their age. These, nine in number, are named respectively: Emma E., Carrie E., Daniel J., Mansel W., Claude B., Everard S., Charles E., Edgar S., and Imogene B. The eldest daughter, Miss Emma, is a teacher in the public schools of Maquoketa. Miss Carrie is attending the high school. The others are at home with their parents. Mr. Bowman, politically, affiliates with the Democratic party, and has been quite prominent in local affairs, frequently serving as a delegate to the County Conventions. He has officiated as School Director, holding the office at present, and as Road Supervisor. Socially, he belongs to the A.O.U.W. and the V.A.S. at Maquoketa. The family have a very pleasant and attractive home, and number their friends by the score in this section.

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