John Henry Bowman, Mason and farmer, P.O. Osterdock, son of John and Catherine Bowman, who were natives of Germany and among the pio nee rs of Pennsylvania, was born in that State in 1819. He was educated and learned his trade there. For twenty-five years past he has engaged in farming. He came to Clayton County, Ia., in 1853, and bought his farm of 271 acres on section 2. He married in 1840, Hannah, daughter of Reason Debolt, of Pennsylvania. She came to Clayton County in 1853, where, after faithfully performing the duties of wife and mother for many years, she died Dec. 17, 1881. By the above marriage there are six children-- Catherine, born Oct. 30, 1841 (deceased); Joseph Newton, born Feb. 15, 1844, married, and living in Mallory Township; John Reason, born March 1, 1846, married, living in Davenport, Ia.,(he is Principal of the State Normal School); William, born Oct. 27, 1848; Silas Wright Myres, born April 14, 1851 married, and in company with his brother William, owns 200 acres of land adjoining his father's home (these children were born in Fayette County, Pa.); Mary Jane, born in Clayton County, Ia. Sept. 29,1856, now the wife of Jacob Hatfield, living in Mallory Township. Mr. Bowman has been Justice of the Peace a number of years, and has been a faithful executive officer. He votes the Democratic ticket, as do most of his sons. He is classed with the prominent citizens of Clayton County, meriting and receiving the confidence and respect of his fellow-men. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 914 |