Bowen Washington John (1797-1878)

JOHN, LAMME, TODD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/14/2010 at 19:26:21

From Story County Watchman June 12, 1878

OBITUARY.

DIED--May 28th, 1878, at the residence of his son, J. W. John, in Indian Creek township, of dropsy, Bowen W. John, in the 81st year of his age.

The subject of the above notice was born in Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, September 2nd, 1797. In the thirteenth year of his age he removed with his parents, to Montgomery Co., Ohio, where on the 10th day of March, 1825, he was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Miss Martha Lamme, but the union thus consumated was soon to be broken by death; leaving him the father of twin babes. Again in 1830, March 18th, he was married to Miss Cynthia Ann Todd. The fruits of this happy union were nine children; four boys and five girls, all of whom are living.

In the year 1830, he moved to Carroll Co., Indiana, where he remained until the year 1853, when he again emigrated west, settling in Wapello Co., Iowa; from thence to Allamakee Co., and then again to Story Co., where he remained but one year, when he once mare started westward; locating in Shaunee County, Kansas. The country being burned out by drowth, he again moved back to Story Co., where, on the 2nd of July, 1862, death made its inrode into his family taking away the companion of his old age. Heart stricken he concluded to move back to Indiana, and in October, of the same year, took his departure. Not finding the country as he had left it, was much dissatisfied, and in 1865 came back to Story Co., Iowa, shortly after which, his children were all married, when he made his home with his son above mentioned.

Being still of that roaming disposition, he made two trips to Alamakee County and two to Missouri on visits.

Early in life he made a proffession of religion and for over forty years stood connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Few men have a larger circle of acquaintainces, more warm friend and fewer enemies than had Father John (as he was familiarly called,) in fact it is not known that he had an enemy in the world. The God whom he had served was his support in his hour of affliction and never was suffering bore with more christian fortituda. Calmly he met his approaching desolution as a man preparing for a journey.

As a ripe shock of corn cometh in his season, so goeth he to the grave. His mortal remains were followed to the cemetry by six children and twenty-eight grand-children.

O.W.O.