Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Bowlus, Lewis October 20, 1842 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net July 31, 2006, 7:02 pm Author: Colonel William Parsons Page 362, 363 LEWIS BOWLUS The prominent citizen and real estate holder whose name appears at the head of this article is one of the earliest pioneers and maintains a leading place in the affairs of the county, as well as having wrought out a fortune for himself within its boundaries. A man of marked executive ability and possessing a keen foresight together with a power for handling financial problems with skill and accuracy, he was wrought with brilliant success commensurate with the ability and effort put forth. Mr. Bowlus was born in Maryland on October 20, 1842, and when one year of age was taken to Indiana by his parents. In that state he received the schooling and business training that was of great benefit in his later operations. When he became of age, in 1864, he crossed the plains with mule teams, and settled in this county, being among the earliest persons to locate here. Later he worked in the mines some in Idaho, and also freighted until 1870, when he took up government land near where he now lives, seven miles northeast from Milton. Here he commenced to put forth his energies and skill and with the gratifying result that he now owns sixteen hundred acres of land in one body, almost the entire body being good farm land, which is well improved with all buildings and essentials for the proper operation of the same. He also owns eighty-three acres of excellent fruit land adjoining the town of Milton, and one section of land in the mountains used for pasture. In addition he is the possessor of a half-interest in three thousand, two hundred acres of land used for stock purposes. Wheat farming and stock-raising are the two lines in which he has achieved marked success, being recognized a leader in each line, which but manifests the ability of the man that has gained this distinction, all of which is justly merited. He has devoted considerable attention to rearing the better breeds of stock and has some of the finest specimens and herds in the county. He was married, in Walla Walla, on January 2, 1876, to Miss Serena Osborn. To them have been born the following children: F. H.; G. W., married and living near by; Archie, attending school in Milton; Rillie. Did not space forbid we would be pleased to relate more of the details of this successful life and the forces in the man that have wrought it, but suffice it to say that of all the substantial evidence of his brilliant career there are none more powerful than the fact that his life is one of sterling integrity and marked by upright dealing in every line of enterprise, with a strict adherence to principle. Additional Comments: An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Publisher 1902. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/umatilla/bios/bowlus123gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 3.5 Kb