When Jonathan V. Bowman closed his eyes to the scenes of this life the Pomona Valley lost one of her stanch upbuilders. He was a descendant of a Virginia family who settled in Indiana in pioneer days. A native of Ashland County, Ohio, he was born January 16, 1839, and as an infant he was taken by his parents to Kosciusko County, Ind., where he attended school. When a young man he went to Henry County, that state, and followed the trade of carpenter. He enlisted for service during the Civil War, responding to the last call for troops, in an Indiana infantry regiment, and served till the close of the conflict. He then went to Coffey County, Kans., followed his trade of carpenter, was elected justice of the peace at Burlington, Kans., and became a member of the school board.
In July, 1887, Mr. Bowman came to Southern California, with Pomona as his objective point, thereby carrying out a long-felt desire to come West. He invested in a tract of land on South Garey Avenue, set out trees and while they were coming into bearing he raised sweet potatoes on the place, which he marketed with success. He was joined by his wife the following September, and ever since then Pomona has been their home and the scene of his activities, until his death on February 16, 1916.
In 1885 Mr. Bowman was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Veach, born in Indiana, and who still lives on their home place in Pomona. Not having children of their own, they adopted a niece of Mrs. Bowman's, whom they reared with care and love as an own daughter. The niece, now Mrs. Lavina Kirkman Penley, is connected with the Pomona Library and has been active in library work for several years.
Mr. Bowman was affiliated with the Masonic order and with Vicksburg Post No. 61, G.A.R. He was a supporter of all movements for the upbuilding of his adopted city and state.
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 9/5/08, Pages 331-332
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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