Robert W. Bowman, horticulturist, is a native of Ohio, born in Warren County, February 4, 1833, a son of John and Hester (McKinney) Bowman, who were natives of Virginia and of German and Irish ancestry.
In 1837, a brother of our subject came to Jay County, and settled in Penn Township and in 1839 the parents with our subject visited the county, remaining about four weeks, when they returned to Warren County. In 1842, they settled in Jay County, bringing with them the first sheep brought to the county. There being no roads, they were three days in coming a distance of sixteen miles, camping out at night, arriving at their destination September 8. On arriving in the county, the father bought seventy-four acres on section 25, Penn Township, on which some little improvement had been made, and the second day spent in the county the father stood in his cabin door and shot two deer.
Here the family experienced many of the hardships and privations incidents to pioneer life. The surrounding country was in a state of nature and the settlers were few and lived long distances apart. Game of various kinds was abundant.
The mother of our subject died April 5, 1847 and the father
was subsequently married to Miss Mary Paxton, by whom he had three children.
The father improved the farm on which he first settled in the county,
residing on it for thirty years. (cut off)
Biographical
and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana Lewis Publishing Co, 1887
Transcribed by Jim Cox