William Henry Bowker was born in Groton, Tomkins County, New York, March 10, 1843. He grew to manhood there and at the age of 18 enlisted in the 76th New York Infantry as a drummer boy. During the Civil War service he received an injury in his hip from which he never entirely recovered. He married Jenny Connelly after the war and lived in Kansas. The couple had two sons, Charles who died in infancy and Amaziah. The couple divorced after about seven years and William moved to Saunders County, Nebraska. He farmed in Saunders and in the Ashland area. He married Elizabeth Horigan in 1873. The family moved to Antelope County in 1880 and homesteaded on Verdigre Creek near Royal for two years. Later they moved to Grecian Bend west of Neligh.
The Bowker place was a popular gathering place for barn dances and social events. William and Elizabeth lived on the farm for many years, then moved to Neligh. He died in 1919 and she in 1927. There were five sons and two daughters: Edward who farmed in South Dakota; Albert farmed in Oregon; Franklin was a musician; Jennie married William Shame and lived in Colorado; Mary Pearl married Robert Forsyth and moved to Oregon; Harry married Sue Crellin of Neligh and operated a shoe store in Neligh; and Leroy.
Source Unknown: Originally submitted for this website in June 2007