HON. FRANK LLEWELLYN BOWMAN Monongalia Co. WV The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II. pg. 185 The ordinary individual, concerned with the business affairs that secure for him his daily livelihood, is representative of the nation's citizenship. This is the normal type, whose life begins and ends, perhaps with nothing more distinctive than is the ripple on the stream when the pebble is cast into the water. It is the unusual type that commands attention, and it is his influence, exerted on his community, and the record of his life, that are valuable and interesting as matters of biography. In the professions, especially the law, the opportunities for usefulness and personal advancement depend almost entirely upon the unusually gifted individual, and here natural endowment is as essential as is thorough preparation. The bar of Monongalia County, a representative body of the state, has its full quota of brilliant men, and one of its foremost members is Frank Llewellyn Bowman, of Morgantown, who has also been identified prominently with business and civic affairs for the past fifteen years. Mr. Bowman was born at Masontown, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1879, and is descended from an old Keystone State family which settled in Lancaster County in pre-Revolutionary war days. His father, Josiah A. Bowman, who was born at Masontown, February 13, 1851, removed to Morgantown, West Virginia, in 1908, and engaged in the mercantile business. He married Sue, daughter of James Llewellyn, and both parents continue to make their home at Morgantown, where they are held in the highest esteem. After passing through the public schools Frank Llewellyn Bowman entered the University of West Virginia, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1902, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His college career was a brilliant one, in which he won the Inter- Society Oration and Debate prize. After his graduation he was appointed teller in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Morgantown, a position he held for two years. He then took a course in the law department of the West Virginia University and was admitted to the bar in 1905, at which time he entered the practice of law at Morgantown and has been engaged therein ever since, with constantly enlarging success. In 1911 Mr. Bowman was appointed postmaster at Morgantown, and served in that position until 1915. In 1916 he was elected mayor of the city by the largest majority ever given a candidate for that office, and in 1917 was renominated by the convention, but declined to make the race. Mr. Bowman has important business interests, being vice president and treasurer of the Tropf Coal Company and a stockholder in and attorney for several other coal companies. He belongs to the Monongalia County Bar Association, the West Virginia Bar Association, and the Rotary Club, and also holds membership in the Phi Sigma Kappa college fraternity. He is a Knight Templar, belonging to Morgantown Commandery No. 18, Knights Templar, and Osiris Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Wheeling. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, in all of which he is very popular. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian Church. On June 3, 1904, Mr. Bowman was united in marriage with Miss Pearl Silveus, the daughter of Rev. W. F. Silveus, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church, and to this union there have come two children: Marjorie Virginia, born January 16, 190? (Note: Copy not clear, but looks like it may be 1908), and Frank Llewellyn, Jr., born May 15, 1911. ==== WV-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List ==== ********************************************************************** WV-FOOTSTEPS/USGENWEB NOTICE: These messages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. **********************************************************************