BIO: Jacob Bowman, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER LIX.

                         UPPER ALLEN TOWNSHIP.

563  UPPER ALLEN TOWNSHIP.

  JACOB BOWMAN, farmer, P. O. Bowmansdale, was born in Lancaster 
County, Penn., in 1814.  His widowed mother, Margaret (Barkey) Bowman, 
came to Cumberland County the following year; she subsequently married 
Dr. Jacob Bowman, of Lancaster County, and after his death came to 
Mechanicsburg, and afterward married John Karns, by whom she had eight 
children.  Our subject learned the blacksmith's trade with David 
Sponsler, Sr., completing same in 1820.  In 1842 Jacob Bowman was 
elected captain of Mechanicsburg Volunteer Infantry.  Another company 
was formed in 1849, known as the "Quitman Guards," which was attached 
to the First Battalion, Cumberland County Volunteer Infantry.  The 
captain received a major's commission, bearing the signature of William 
F. Johnston, governor of Pennsylvania.  The next official recognition 
received by Maj. Bowman was his election as sheriff of Cumberland 
County.  His commission bears date October 31, 1855, and the autograph 
of Gov. James Pollock.  After serving his term faithfully and well, 
Sheriff Bowman was again elected to a military position as captain of 
the "National Blues," a volunteer company formed at Mechanicsburg April 
17, 1859.  He was the best drill master in this region, as is attested 
by his numerous commissions.  No braver, better, or more patriotic man 
ever graced the soil of Cumberland County.  For seven years Jacob 
Bowman was one of the directors of the Harrisburg & Potomac Railroad.  
He has built a fine warehouse, and has done much to further the 
interests of the village of Bowmansdale by liberal subscriptions of 
money and donation of valuable time.  As a public-spirited citizen, ex-
Sheriff Bowman has few equals and no superiors in this county.  He was 
married, in 1842, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Haymaher) 
Reeser, and to this union were born nine children:  Alfred, Annie, 
Elizabeth, Sarah, Laura, Alice, Clara, William P. and Raymond.  Mr. 
Bowman is the second oldest ex-sheriff living in the county, and is 
highly revered and universally beloved by her people.