NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

The hospitable and popular proprietor of the Mansion House, at Boonton, is a native of Ireland, his birth having occurred in county Kilkenny on the 20th of September, 1854, his parents being Philip and Johanna (Dermody) Bowden. The father died in Ireland and the mother, accompanied by some of her children, came to the United States and located at College Point, Long Island, where she was joined in 1865 by our subject and his brother.

Mr. Bowden was able to obtain but a limited education, being compelled at an early age to assist in the support of his mother and her other children, and his first practical experience in life began as an employe of the Rubber Jewelry Factory, at College Point, where he served three years as a marble-cutter. He then went to New York, where he worked at the jewelry trade for several years, and later he was employed in the rubber works at Butler, Morris county. In 1879 he took up his residence in Boonton, and a year later became proprietor of the Mansion House, conducting the same until 1882, when he went to Paterson, and there opened another hotel under the same name, retaining charge of it for two years. He returned to Boonton, in 1884, re-established himself in the Mansion House and has since continued in his former capacity of proprietor. The hostelry is well managed, supplied with every convenience necessary to the comfort of its patrons, and those who have once enjoyed its hospitality never fail on their return to repeat the most agreeable experience.

In 1887 Mr. Bowden embarked in the bottling business and has the most extensive trade in that line of enterprise in the county. He is a charter member of the board of trade and is a member of the fire department, in which he has served as treasurer. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party.

The marriage of our subject was solemnized August 2, 1880, when he was united to Miss Nellie Shanahan, daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Mulqueen) Shanahan, of College Point, Long Island, and of this union the following named children have been born: Philip Walter, William, Margaret, Harry, Thomas, John, Mary, Dolores and Joseph. Mr. Bowden and his family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, at Boonton.

This biography was contributed by Brianne Kelly-Bly.

Copyright ©1999-2018 by Brianne Kelly-Bly, all rights reserved.