Jones County, TX - Obituary - William McDonald Bowyer **************************************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************************************** The Jones County Observer Anson, Jones County, Texas Friday, October 13, 1939 Town Founder Dies William McDonald Bowyer Father of Anson is Buried Sunday Funeral services for William McDonald Bowyer were held Sunday from the Anson First Baptist church. Mr. Browder died Saturday, October 7th, 1939. He was 90 years at the time of his death. Rev. T.S. Knox, pastor of Abilene First Presbyterian church, conducted the service, assisted by Rev. L.A. Doyle, pastor of Anson First Baptist church and the Rev. G.C. Armstrong, pastor of Anson First Methodist church. Burial was in Mount Hope cemetery under the direction of Lawrence F.H. Mr. Bowyer was born in Lexington, VA, October 29, 1848. As a young university man he attended Washington and Lee University in 1868. He was a member of the Episcopal church. Indicative of his long span of his life, his son, Dr. Otis Bowyer of Anson, relates an experience his father communicated to him of his father being in the congregation of the first Episcopal Church of Richmond, VA, when in the midst of formal Episcopal services a man in the uniform boots and spurs of a Confederate cavalryman entered the church, approached the pew of President Jefferson Davis, and in a voice that was audible to the congregation announced to the President of the Confederacy that General Lee had decided that Richmond, the Confederate capitol, would have to be evacuated. Mr. Bowyer stated to his son that President Davis turned pale and marched slowly out of the building. After working in the railroad contracting business for several years in Virginia and adjacent states, Mr. Bowyer came to Texas and settled in Burnet county in 1876, later moving to Lampasas county. A brother, John Bowyer, then living in Callahan county, advised Mr. Bowyer to move to Jones county. He came to Jones county before it was organized, erecting the first store building in Anson and operating a mercantile business for four or five years in Anson. Quitting the mercantile business, Mr. Bowyer served as AnsonÕs first postmaster, a position he held for 10 years. From his having built the first business house in Anson and from his having served as the townÕs first postmaster, coupled with his work as a pioneer to build up the town and county, Mr. Bowyer has long been known as the Father of Anson. He was married to Mrs. J.A. Carr in 1881 in Anson. Mrs. Bowyer preceded him in death by 20 years. Survived by: 2 sons: Dr. Otis Bowyer and Dr. John McDonald Bowyer of Anson; 3 step-children: J.J. Carr of Anson; Wylie Carr of Dallas; Mrs. W.A. Polk of Fort Worth; 3 grandchildren: Mac Fisher Bowyer of Dallas; Julia Mariah Nelson of Anson; Elizabeth Ann Bowyer of Anson. Relatives and friends from out-of-town: Mrs. Otis Bowyer and Mrs. Mariah Leich of Baird; Mrs. Walter Polk of Fort Worth; Dr. Mac Fisher Bowyer of Dallas; Dr. and Mrs. Fred Hudson of Stamford; Claud Carr of Aspermont; Waddy Carr and his three daughters, Mrs. Vester Alvis, Mrs. A.B. Hicks, Mrs. B.C. Hicks of Rochester; Mrs. Lucian Keen of Hamlin; from Abilene: Mrs. John Bowyer and daughter, Elizabeth; Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Bob Bowyer, M/M Earnest Reynolds; Miss Annie Taylor, Mrs. Clarlie Flynt, Senator John Bryan, John Humphreys, Miss Ruby Humphreys, Mrs. Gooch, M/M Vic Behrens, Mrs. Albert Johnson, Judge and Mrs. James P. Stinson, Judge and Mrs. W.R. Chapman, Judge and Mrs. Walter Pope, Judge Otis Bowyer of Barid. Pallbearers: Dr. E.M. Wood, Dr. W.J. McCreight, Dr. A. McK Jones, Dr. Fred Hudson, Dr. F.C. Prichard, Vernon Spraberry. Mr. Bowyer was a descendant of General John Bowyer of Rockbridge county, VA, whose family figured prominently in state affairs in Virginia from Revolutionary war days. He had the spirit of the pioneer and in his life and character lived up to the traditions of his worthy forbears.