James B. Bowman

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

James B. Bowman

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

After a useful and honorable business career Mr. BOWMAN is now living practically retired, at Mendham, enjoying the well-earned measure of rest which should always follow years of labor. Though he has to a certain extent laid aside business cares, he finds his time and attention well occupied in attending to the demands of private and public duties.

A native of Morris county, he was born in Randolph township on the 19th of September, 1842, and is a son of Thomas BOWMAN, whose father, Nicholas BOWMAN, was descended from the old Dutch family of that name that was founded in New Jersey during the early days of American development. Thomas BOWMAN died in 1887, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha STOUT, was a daughter of Thomas B. STOUT, who was a tavern-keeper in Chester, in the early days of that village. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. BOWMAN, namely:

Richard T., of Morristown;
Adaline, who is the wife of George P. ROY, a farmer and a worthy citizen, of Mendham; and
James Briant BOWMAN, of this review.

The last named was educated in the public schools of Mendham and in his youth began work at the carpenter's bench, thinking to make that occupation his life work. He completed his apprenticeship and worked as a journeyman for a few years, but seeing a more advantageous opening in the meat-market business he directed his energies in that line and followed the enterprise until 1890, enjoying a large and constantly increasing business, which at length brought to him sufficient capital to enable him to lay aside the more arduous duties of business life.

Mr. BOWMAN was married in Chatham, New Jersey, December 15, 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Hannah M. DAY, a daughter of W. Flavel and Mary (REYNOLDS) DAY. They have but one child,

Harry Day, who is now in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, in New York city.

In his political preferences Mr. BOWMAN is a Democrat. He was reared in the faith of that party, and his judgment sanctions its principles and policies, so that he has continued to give to it his earnest support. He has served as town committeeman, and in 1897 he completed his seventh year's service as town assessor, his long continuance in the office well indicating the able manner in which he discharged the duties which devolved upon him. He is president and a member of the board of trustees of the Mendham Cemetery Association, and has shown an interest in everything pertaining to the best development of the town in which he makes his home. On May 11, 1898, Mr. BOWMAN assumed the duties of member of the board of chosen freeholders of Morris county, having been elected by his party in the spring of 1898. He has served as notary public, and commissioner of deeds for a number of years.

This biography was scanned and contributed by Catherine Smith DeMayo.