Archibald Owen Bowdon
Archibald Owen Bowdon (called "Archie"), b June 1874 in North Carolina, d May 1942 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Falls County, Texas - was a son of Thomas Owen and Lucie (Threadgill) Bowdon, natives of North Carolina, and a brother of William Smith Bowdon, who joined him in Marlin about 1912. Archie's cousin, Arthur Threadgill, Sr., had already located in Marlin, when Archie joined him in 1900.Archie was a jeweler by trade, and established his own business, "Bowdon Jewelry Store," in Marlin. He had a fine reputation as a Jeweler, and was a respected businessman. For many years he operated Bowdon's Jewelry Store - featuring fine jewelry of all kinds in gold and silver, and also carrying fine china, clocks, watches, and silverware. He specialized in watch clock, and jewelry repair; and in 1909, was considered an Optician.
In 1903, Archie married Annie Belle Finks, b September 27, 1880 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas, d September 1957 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin - a daughter of W. J. and Saflie (Stallworth) Finks. W. J. Finks was a native of Virginia. Annie Belie hadgrown up in Marlin - learning to play the piano and organ, first for the Presbyterian Church, and later for the Episcopal Church after it was organized. She played the organ for 47 years for the Episcopal Church, after having attended a School of Music at The Patton Seminaryin Dallas, Texas subsequent to her graduation from Marlin High School.
Mrs. Bowdon and her cousin, Mrs. Susan (Battle) Oltorf, organized the Wednesday Matinee Music Club when they were young ladies, and that organization celebrated its 86th anniversary in 1986. In th 1930's, Mrs. Bowdon organized the Marlin Retail Mei chants Association, and she continued as manager of that association until ill health forced her to sell the business. She moved to Waco to reside with her daughter and family, and remained with them until he death.
Archie and Annie Bowdon were the parents of one child:
Ann Bowdon, b November 5,1919 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas, grew up in Marlin, was a 1937 graduate of Marlin High School, and then attended Texas Women's University in Denton. In 1939, Ann was married to Charles Joseph Grimland, a native of Waxahachie, whose family moved to Waco, Texas, who graduated from Waco High School. Charles attended Texas A&M University, and subsequently became pioneer in the field of pneumatics. They have five children: Susann Grimland who married F. C. Gandolfo, of New Orleans, Louisiana, where they reside; Charles Joseph Grimland, Jr., who is unmarried and resides in Austin, Texas; Dan Bowdon Grimland, who is married and resides in Plano, Texas; David Branson Grimland, who resides in Jacksonville, Florida; and Mary Linda Grimland, who married Randy D. McDonald, and resides in Irving, Texas. Charles and Ann have six grandchildren.
Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.
