Adams County Wisconsin Genealogy

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Page 686

Joseph Bowen, who for the past twenty years has tilled the soil in Colburn township, is one of the substantial farmers of Adams county. He engages in general farming, and is well known as an earnest, industrious and honest man, ready at all times to further the interests of his community, and the country at large. He is an ex-soldier, who braved the dangers of war to preserve the Union, and during the service was in the thickest of the fray. He is loyal and progressive and well merits his success.

Mr. Bowen was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1836, and was the son of John and Margaret (McLean) Bowen. His father was a farmer by occupation in New York state. Our subject was limited as to his educational advantages, and has gleaned his information outside of the school room. He was bound out to a farmer for three years, at the early age of twelve years, and worked for farmers until he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, August 10, 1862. He was in the Army of the Potomac, and courageously entered all battles and engagements in which that army participated. He was discharged May 31, 1865, after nearly three years' service. After leaving the army he came to Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming two years, and in 1868 located in Strong's Prairie township, Adams county, and homesteaded one hundred and twenty acres of land , and purchased 40 acres.

He conducted this farm ten years, and in 1878 moved to Colburn township, Adams county. He owns eighty acres of land, all of which is under cultivation. It is a model little farm, and equal to any in the vicinity. With the exception of the three years spent in the army service he has devoted his life to the pursuit of agriculture, and has gained a knowledge of his vocation which is indeed valuable.

Mr. Bowen was married, December 28, 1859, to Samantha Scott, daughter of David C. and Elizabeth (Fuller) Scott, of Arbour Creek, Pennsylvania. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowen, as follows: Ida, now Mrs. M. Freeland, of Strong's Prairie; Ada, now Mrs. H. Bloomfield, of Strong's Prairie; Libbie, born March 1866, now Mrs. H. Winslow, of Plainfield; Josephine, now Mrs. P. McGregor, of Hancock; Josie D., a farmer of Colburn township; Albert, born in 1873, now farming in Colburn township; Willie, born in 1875, now residing at home; and Fred, born in 1877, now farming in Colburn township. Ida and Ada are twins, and were born in January, 1861, and Josephine and Josie D. are twins, and were born in 1871.

Mr. Bowen was a member of Hancock Post, No. 150, G. A. R. He is a Republican in political sentiment, but does not take an active part in the affairs of his party. He is public-spirited and enjoys a comfortable competence which he has gained by the judicious use of his time and the resources which came to him. His career while in the service of his country is one which he can review with justifiable priced, as well as his career as a private citizen. He defended the union faithfully, and has ever displayed the same characteristic in the defense of his community and friends, and will always be found standing on the side of right and justice.