Mr. Bowles, residing in Claremont, was born at Arcata, Humboldt county, California, in October, 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Harding) Bowles, who came to this state from New Orleans and were among the early settlers of Humboldt county. In 1867 the family moved to Santa Clara.
At the age of nineteen Philip E. Bowles entered the University of California, from which he graduated with the scientific degree in 1882. He soon became associated in business with the late George W. McNear in the grain and shipping business, and his experiences in that enterprise covered a period of ten years. In 1893 he became interested in the First National Bank of Oakland and not long after was elected its president. In 1903 he organized the American National Bank of San Francisco, of which he is still president. Mr. Bowles is also president of the First Trust and Savings Bank of Oakland and the First National Bank of Vallejo.
In 1884 Mr. Bowles was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. McNear, a daughter of George W. McNear, his former partner in business. They are the parents of four children. For more than twenty years Mr. Bowles' business activity has been confined to the field of banking, which has precluded his indulgence in other enterprises. He is shrewd, diplomatic and known through the Bay Cities as one of the foremost men of his profession.
Mr. Bowles is a man of strong physique, particularly fond of outdoor sports of all kinds, being especially interested in the manly sports of the Claremont Club, to which he belongs. He is also a member of the Pacific Union and University Clubs of San Francisco and for some time has been a member of the board of regents of the University of California. He is a courteous, genial gentleman and a man of sound business judgment, public-spirited and progressive, taking an active interest in works of charity and public beneficence. His business acumen leads him to a thorough investigation of every proposition to which he lends his support. His work is in San Francisco as well as in Oakland and the demands of both cities receive his attention.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 7/10/2008, Pages 448-449
Alameda County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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