Biography - Samuel Bowman
SAMUEL BOWMAN, the son of an eminent Mennonite minister and a man of
great usefulness and ability, resides on section 21, Ridge Township, Shelby
County, where his good farm and excellent buildings testify to his skill and
thoroughness as a farmer. His father, the Rev. Jacob Bowman, was born in
Franklin County, Pa., and his mother, Mollie Lehman was a native of the same
county. There they were married and made their home in Franklin County,
Ohio, where they lived for many years and where this venerable and highly
honored clergyman departed from earth, May 18, 1884. His faithful companion
survives him and has reached a very advanced age.
The subject of this sketch is one of the young members of his father's
family, his birth taking place in Franklin County, Ohio, May 4, 1846. His
boyhood days were spent there and his schooling received in the common
schools of the Buckeye State. Besides preaching, his father carried on a
farm and the boy grew up to a sturdy manhood with the excellent drill which
is given to a farmer's boy.
In his native county, the young man found a wife in the person of Miss Susan
Motts, a daughter of Daniel and Harriet (Warner) Motts, both born in Berks
County, Pa. The day which united these two useful and happy lives was
September 7, 1871. The first home of Mr. and Mrs. Motts was in Franklin
County, Pa., but they had removed to Franklin, Ohio, previous to their
daughter's marriage. Mr. Motts' death occurred November 7, 1876, and his
wife followed him to the other world, September 20, 1879. This highly
honored couple had a family of ten children, of whom Mrs. Bowman was the
ninth in age. Her native home was Franklin County, Pa., where she was born
July 22, 1849. Her domestic qualities have fitted her admirably for her work
as a wife and mother, and she has been a true helpmate to her husband since
the day of their marriage.
The early wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman was spent in Franklin County,
Ohio, where they remained for four years, but in January, 1876 they came to
Shelby County, Ill., and made their home on section 21, Ridge Township,
where they have built up a prosperous and delightful home. Agriculture has
been Mr. Bowman's life work and he is the owner of two hundred acres of
excellent and productive soil. Upon the homestead he has a substantial set
of buildings, including a commodious residence, a view of which is shown on
another page.
Four children have blessed the home of Mr. Bowman, namely: Benjamin F., Ida
M., John C., and Howard A. To these children have been offered good
educational advantages and they are making progress in preparing for the
responsible duties of life. The political views of Mr. Bowman are in
accordance with the declaration of the Republican party, in the progress of
which he takes a keen interest. Both he and his excellent wife have taken an
active part in religious work, and are members of the Evangelical
Association, where he has filled the office of Steward and Trustee. He is
thus carrying out in a little different line, the good Christian work in
which his father was active for thirty-four years.
Extracted 12 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 418-419.
