The biography of John F. Bowen tells of a life full of interest and also of steady business application. Born near Columbus, Ohio, December 25, 1844, when a young lad of seventeen he enlisted, in 1861, in Company D, Ninety-fifth Ohio Infantry, for service in the Civil War, and served three years, seeing action in some of the prominent battles of that struggle for freedom. He was finally taken prisoner and confined for four months in Andersonville prison, that horror spot of the war, from which so many failed to escape with their lives and those who did were marked with ill health for life.
Young John Bowen was of stronger stuff, however, and on his discharge from the army he returned to Ohio and started in the grocery business, at Mt. Gilead. Here he remained in business for twenty-two years, taking part in the growth of the country during that after-war period. He was prominent both in fraternal and social circles as well as in business, and became a well-known figure in the community. A member of the Masons there, he also joined the Odd Fellows at Columbus, and was a member of Hurd Post, G.A.R. at Mt. Gilead. During his residence there he was vice-president of the First National Bank of Mt. Gilead.
In 1896 Mr. Bowen came to Pomona, and bought a twelve-acre orange grove; this he sold in nine months' time and then engaged in the grocery business on Second Street. Selling out this establishment, with his son, Charles, he engaged in the undertaking business for three years. This was his final business venture, and he then retired from active cares. His death occurred in Pomona, in June, 1917. A man of fine principles and strong character, during his residence here he was treasurer, deacon and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Baptist Church. He was a member and held office in Vicksburg Post No. 61, G.A.R. of Pomona.
The marriage of Mr. Bowen united him with Julia A. Jenkins, of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, the daughter of a Baptist minister, and five children were born to them: Thomas D., deceased; W. Clyde, deceased, Milo S., of Long Beach, has two daughters, La Von and Nayda; Charles F. of Ocean Beach, San Diego County, and J. Carson of Pomona, the father of a son, John Carson. Mrs. Bowen is an active worker in the Woman's Relief Corps, the Eastern Star, Red Cross and in the First Baptist Church.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 10/1/08, Pages 477-478
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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