Biography of George J. Bowman, 1902, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames: Bowman, Twoodie, Palmer, Halle, Shelton, Poe, Campbell

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
W. David Samuelsen - November 2001
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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902
by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 262

GEORGE J. BOWMAN

Like many other thrifty and successful men in various parts of the United
States, Mr. Bowman is a native of Germany. He was born in that empire not far
from the French border on January 1, 1829. He received a good public school
education in his fatherland and shortly after leaving the school room entered
upon an apprenticeship to the trade of wagon maker. In 1848 he came to the
United States, and settling in Kentucky, there engaged in the pursuit of his
handicraft. In 1852 he removed to Dover, Missouri, where he followed wagon
making uninterruptedly until 1873, in which year he put into execution a
determination to try his fortune in Baker county. He worked at his trade in
Baker City for half a decade, at the end of which period he moved to Wallowa
county and engaged in farming and stockraising. However, when he first came to
Baker City he purchased property where the Geiser Grand hotel now is, and his
property interested necessitated his being in this city a considerable portion
of his time. Though he still owns his farm in Wallowa county, he has now
become a permanent resident of Baker City, his tasteful and comfortable new
home being on the corner of Third and Estes streets.

Mr. Bowman has always been a leader in the communities in which he has lived.
He is enthusiastic in the promotion of the cause of education and has served
on numerous school boards in different places, among them the board which
inaugurated the first graded school in Baker City. He also has the distinction
of having served four years as chairman of his home city's first council. He
is, moreover, a very active worker in the First Presbyterian church, in which
he has served as elder longer than any other person.

The marriage of our subject was solemnized in the state of Missouri on
November 9, 1854, when Miss Elizabeth, daughter of David and Rachael Twoodie,
became his wife. They have seven living children, namely: Mrs. Kate M. Palmer,
of Baker City; Bettie, wife of J. P. Halle; Frank G., who married Miss Alice
Shelton and is living in Eagle Valley; John T., married to Miss Mollie Poe and
living in Eagle Valley; Robert B., living on his father's farm in Wallowa
county; Beulah, a teacher in one of the Baker City schools; and Myrtle, a
graduate of the Monmouth Normal school, wife of J. W. Campbell, of Wheeler
county, Oregon.