Dr. Bowman was born in Andalusia, Rock Island County, Illinois, on the tenth of January, 1847. His father was the late Dr. Edward H. Bowman, who was a man of great prominence for many years. Dr. Bowman, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born on the fifteenth day of August, 1816, in Franklin, Venango County. There his boyhood was passed, but as he approached manhood's estate he came to Kentucky for the purpose of making his way in the world, and, while engaged at cabinet making, succeeded in securing enough money to enable him to take a course in college. He took the medical course at Transylvania University, at Lexington, Kentucky, graduating as a physician and surgeon in 1841. The same year he returned to Pennsylvania and married Miss Elizabeth Ann Byles, in the City of Harrisburg.
In 1843 he became a resident of Rock Island County, which was his home during the greater part of the time until his death on November 30, 1893. In 1852 he went to California, where he engaged in mining quite extensively, remaining there about two years. Upon his return he settled in Edgington, Rock Island County, where he pursued the active practice of his profession. In 1860 he was elected circuit clerk of Rock Island County, but when the war broke out he was one of the first to respond to his country's call. Enlisting for three years he rendered efficient and faithful service as surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Illinois Volnteer Infantry, participating in seventeen engagements, chief among which were Belmont, Island No. 10, Stone River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. He retired at the close of his term of service — while the army was before Atlanta- as chief surgeon of the Second Division, Fourth Army Corps. Forty physicians and surgeons in all served under his command, and he rendered especially valuable services while on the staff of General N. B. Buford of Rock Island, who was later succeeded in command by General W. A. Schmidt of Rock Island. Returning with this honorable record he settled on his farm near Andalusia, which he christened "Oakland." In 1879 he was appointed agent for the Pawnee tribe of Indians in the Indian Territory, a position he held for three and one-half years. He was for a number of years a member of the County board of supervisors from Andalusia Township, and in 1886 was elected chairman of the board, serving one term. During the latter years of his life he was a conspicuous figure at regimental reunions and meetings of the Iowa and Illinois Central District Medical Society, and lived in comfortable retirement at "Oakland," his country home.
He was a man of strong character, positive in his views, and unflinching in his devotion to his ideas of right, no matter if all the world stood opposed to him. He was manly, courageous and independent. He was tenderly attached to his friends, whom he loved, and who loved him. He was possessed of a generous heart, his inspirations were noble, and in life he sought the highest ideals. He went unfalteringly where duty pointed, and stood faithfully at his post until the end.
There were eight children born into the family of Dr. Bowman, two of whom died in infancy ; the others are all living with the exception of a son - M. B. Bowman - who died a few years ago in New Mexico. Mrs. Bowman also survives, and is residing at the old homestead near Andalusia.
Dr. Andrew Washington Bowman of Davenport, during his boyhood, worked on his father's farm. His early education was obtained in the district schools in the neighborhood in which he was brought up. His father had always expressed a desire that his sons should not choose medicine as their profession, and had always discouraged them from undertaking the study of it. Andrew, however, displayed a liking for it, and in the course of a few years developed a remarkable aptitude for the profession. It had been his father's custom for many years to keep his medical books locked up so that his sons should not be tempted to undertake their study. Andrew was with his father during the latter's service in the war, and had unusual opportunities for securing an insight into the practice of medicine and surgery. It was probably the fact that he had this opportunity to develop his talents that led to his taking up the study with his father, the latter having come to appreciate his son's fitness for the profession.
However, he traveled extensively throughout the West previous to taking a collegiate course, and in California and Old Mexico remained for some time. It was in the latter country that he had some remarkable experiences which developed him into a physician, even before he had had the chance of making medicine a study. What knowledge he had acquired of medicine he put into practice among the natives, and they came to look upon him as a physician of no mean ability. During his residence there an epidemic of smallpox raged, and he was compelled as a matter of self- defense to undertake the treatment of the patients. His success was remarkable. Out of several hundred cases there were comparatively few deaths, and the doctor himself very fortunately escaped becoming a victim of the disease.
After his return to Iowa he took a course at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in 1878 graduated with honors from Rush Medical College in Chicago. During a portion of the years 1879 and 1880 he practiced at Inland, Cedar County, Iowa, but since that time he has been a resident of Davenport.
He was married on the eleventh of August, 1879, to Miss Marie Maxwell, daughter of the late Dr. A. S. Maxwell, at one time a wellknown physician of this city.
Dr. Bowman's advancement in his profession has been rapid. He has one of the largest and most desirable practices in the city and has made an enviable record. His time and attention have been devoted almost exclusively to his professional duties and he has felt a just pride in keeping himself abreast of the developments of medical science.
He is a typical representative of that class of physicians sometimes termed the "new school." It is the exception to find one who has enjoyed the large measure of success which has fallen to the lot of Dr. Bowman, who has not been tempted to participate in politics or enter public life ; but he has steadfastly declined to allow anything to divert his attention from professional duties, and neither the honors nor emoluments other than those attaching to the successful practice of medicine have had any attractions for him.
He has traveled considerably in this country, has been a reader always, and is an attractive conversationalist when he can find time for social intercourse.
BIOGRAPHIES