Biography of Charles Bowen, Mississippi Co, AR ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. Submitted by: Michael Brown Date: Sep 1998 ********************************************************************* Bibliography: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas. Chicago: Goodspeed Publishers, 1890. Capt. Charles Bowen. There are many men in this county at the present day in whose lives there are but few thrilling incidents or remarkable events, yet whose success has been a steady and constant growth, and who, possessed of excellent judgment, strong common sense and indomitable energy, have evinced in their lives and characters great symmetry, completeness and moral standing of a high order. Such traits may be found in the character of Mr. Bowen, a native of Jackson County, Tenn., born on the 28th of February, 1814, and one of the most prominent planters of the county. His parents, John and Jennie (Crawford) Bowen, were originally from Virginia, but came to Tennessee at an early day. Shortly after the birth of their son, Charles, they removed to the western district of Tennessee, and there built the first cabin in what is now Dyer County. They subsisted for the first year exclusively on wild meat, and did not taste bread during that time. After living in Western Tennessee for seven years, where Charles Bowen clerked in a store in Trenton, the family moved (1828) to Mississippi County, Ark., and settled for a short time on the river, near what is now Barfield Point. After two years Charles, with his father, fitted out a store and produce boat, and traded on the river for about three years. They then returned to Mississippi County, and there made a permanent settlement. After a few years the elder Bowen went back to Tennessee, and there passed his last days. The mother had died when Charles was about eight years of age. As a resident of Mississippi County the latter sold wood to the steamboats, and was also engaged in farming on a small scale. His brother, John C. Bowen, was the second sheriff of Mississippi County, elected in 1838, and Charles served as his deputy for about six years, after which the latter was himself elected sheriff of the county. He served in this capacity for sixteen years, to the entire satisfaction of all. When the war broke out Mr. Bowen raised a company in Mississippi County, and was elected captain of the same, which was called the “Osceola Hornets;” it operated on the east bank of the Mississippi River during the principal part of the time. He was in the battle of Belmont, and also at Shiloh, where his company was badly cut up, leaving the battle-field with only seven men. The Captain then returned to Mississippi County, and [p.471] raised another company. This operated mostly on the west bank of the Mississippi River. In 1864 Capt. Bowen, while in charge of his command, was captured at Osceola, by Col. Burris, a Kansas jayhawker, and was kept a prisoner at St. Louis for about two months. He then returned, gathered up his company, and continued to operate in this section. He had a fight on Ten-Mile Bayou, in Crittenden County. He surrendered at Osceola, in 1865. to the captain of a gunboat. He was then appointed sheriff by the governor, serving for two years, but refused to run again. In 1872, during the negro troubles in Mississippi County, known as the “Black Hawk” war. Capt. Bowen led a charge against the mob, which was at once dispersed. In 1874 the Captain was a member of the State constitutional convention, and was also elected county judge for one term. He purchased a fine plantation of 320 acres, half of which is under a high state of cultivation. On this place he has made all improvements, erected all buildings, etc. At present he is the owner of about 1,000 acres. He was married in 1843 to Mrs. Mills, nee Bishop, and three children were the result of this marriage: Charles Reese (deceased), William J., married and living near Osceola, and Margaret Ann, wife of J. B. Driver, and residing about one mile below Osceola. Mrs. Bowen was called to her final home in 1865. The Captain took for his second wife Mrs. Segars, nee Howe, and four children were the fruits of this union: Clem Clay, Samuel, Mamie and Katie.