Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Bowen, Capt Ellsworth G 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 5, 2007, 2:14 pm

Author: Biographical Publishing Company

CAPT. ELLSWORTH G. BOWEN, the only son of James R. and Augusta (Kellogg) 
Bowen, is a member of the firm of James R. Bowen & Son, well known contractors 
of Joliet. He was born in Ithaca, N. Y., October 12, 1868, and received his 
education in the public schools of that city and Chicago. When fourteen years 
of age he secured employment with a wholesale paper house in Chicago, 
beginning in the lowest position and working his way upward gradually, until 
he was made cashier and bookkeeper. Afterward, for five years, he held a 
responsible position with the wholesale millinery firm of D. B. Fisk & Co. He 
resigned to accept a more profitable position as clerk with the Illinois 
Central Railroad Company. Two years after coming with the company he was made 
chief clerk of the bridge and building department, and continued in that 
capacity until 1895, when he resigned. After a trip through the south he 
returned and embarked in business with his father, furnishing material for 
street building. They handle the Mound gravel, which is pronounced by experts 
to be the finest gravel in the United States. While his father has charge of 
the work at the Mound, he superintends all of the street work, managing it in 
an able manner and proving that he is a man of fine business judgment.

Fraternally Captain Bowen is connected with Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; 
Joliet Chapter, R. A. M.; Joliet Council; and Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T., 
in all (except the Council) of which he has been an officer; also a member of 
the Knights of the Globe and the Eastern Star. In politics he is a Republican, 
active in the party and uncompromising in his adherence to its principles.

The military history of Captain Bowen dates from May 6, 1885, when he enlisted 
as a private in Battery C, Illinois National Guard, which served actively 
during the stone quarry strike and riots between Joliet and Chicago. The 
battery was mustered out by special order July 13, 1885. In the following 
year, on the 14th of April, he enlisted in Chicago as a private in Troop D, 
First Illinois Cavalry. March 14, 1887, he was transferred to Company L, 
Second Infantry, I. N. G. He was made a corporal June 10, 1888, and a sergeant 
August 6 of the same year. May 15, 1889, he was appointed first sergeant; 
September 15, 1890, he was elected second  lieutenant; April 13, 1891, first 
lieutenant; and July 6, 1891, captain. He was re-elected captain July 6, 1894. 
On his removal to Joliet he received from Col. Fred Bennett an appointment as 
captain and adjutant of the Third Infantry, I.N. G., and was commissioned as 
such by the governor. At the opening of the war with Spain he was commissioned 
adjutant (with the rank of captain) of the Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
which was mustered in at Springfield, Ill., May 8, 1898. He accompanied his 
regiment to Chickamauga Park and from there to Newport News, thence on the 
cruiser "St. Louis" to Porto Rico. He was the first member of the Third to 
land in Porto Rico. While on board the transport "St. Louis" he was ordered by 
the colonel to go ashore with several convalescent soldiers and report with 
them to General Miles, who directed him to conduct them to their respective 
regiments. This accomplished, he returned to his own regiment, which landed 
thirty miles from Ponce under cover of the fire of the opposing ships.

During the campaign that followed he was an active participant, serving 
honorably and efficiently until the regiment was summoned home by the 
cessation of hostilities. On the organization of the first regiments for 
service in the Philippines he received from President McKinley, without 
solicitation on his part, an  appointment as first lieutenant, and was 
assigned to the Thirtieth Infantry, U. S. V.; but having joined his father in 
a business that demanded his entire personal attention, he was obliged, 
reluctantly, to decline the commission. By natural gifts and practical 
experience he is fitted for military duties, and his service at the front was 
such as to reflect credit upon his patriotic spirit and zeal, giving him a 
high place in the ranks of the officers and soldiers, to whose energy the 
speedy termination of the war was due.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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