Walter W. Bowman, as cashier of the First National Batik of Concordia, is closely connected with its interests and much of its success is due to his business understanding of the duties and responsibilities attending his important position. Gentry county, Missouri, is the place of Mr. Bowman's nativity, but he came to Kansas when only one year of age, therefore he is practically a Kansan, and no one refers with greater pride to the rise and note the state has achieved at home and abroad.

The rudiments of his education were received in the Concordia schools and one year in the Concordia State Normal, but he is a self-made man and pursued knowledge that was most practical and that which would bring the best returns. He began his career early in life. When but eleven years old he was employed as clerk in the postoffice of Concordia. Having signed a registered letter, his signature attracted the attention of Mr. Linney, Concordia's first postmaster, who asked for an interview with the young boy's mother, consequently arrangements were promptly made and he was given a clerkship, attending school intermittently, taking every advantage that offered to educate himself. About seven years subsequently he was appointed to a clerkship in the United States land office, then located in Concordia, where he gained much useful knowledge. From this occupation he entered the First National Bank and has been prominently identified with this institution from its start.

Mr. Bowman was married in August, 1883, to Clara K. Polhemus, who removed to Kansas with her parents in 1880. Mrs. Bowman is a woman of intellectual attainments and an accomplished musician. Three promising and interesting sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowman, viz: Alfred N., Walter, Jr., and Horace Bushnell. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman his mother was united in matrimony to Mr. Polhemus, the father of Mrs. Bowman. They are residents of Concordia and own a pleasant home opposite their children on Seventh street.

Mr. Bowman is a man honored alike in the counsels of the community at large and in the circle of his personal acquaintances and friends, the direct result of his straightforward principles and purpose of will. He has made use of the excellent talents with which nature endowed him and no citizen of Concordia possesses a more honorable record. He is a man of untiring energy in his devotion to business, the smallest detail receiving the attention it deserves, which in a great measure is the keynote to his popularity and success.

From the life of Mr. Bowman the following lesson can be learned: Any boy who is studious and determined to be successful can attain his object though handicapped by poverty, lack of educational opportunity and even delicate health. The Bowmans occupy a desirable cottage home on the corner of Washington and Seventh streets, where they expect to build a modern and more commodious house in the near future. A wide lawn is one of the pleasing features of this property. Fraternally Mr. Bowman is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are prominent members and active workers of the Presbyterian church.