Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Biograpy

Squire F. Bowman

History of Kentucky
Judge Charles Kerr
Edited by William Elsey Connelley
From information Contributed by John Sandlin and Transcribed by Michelle Williams Cole

SQUIRE F. BOWMAN. True appreciation comes to those who have conscientiously striven to win approval honorably from the individuals who understand and can properly express their confidence. The career of Squire F. Bowman, of Mount Vernon, mirrors on its surface much that is conducive to a high standard of public service and little that can be criticized. As County Court clerk of Rockcastle County since 1910, he has demonstrated and is still proving his efficiency and high capability, and his record in office is one that reflects credit upon him and upon his community.

Mr. Bowman was born at Island City, Owsley County, Kentucky, Mar 16, 1877, a son of Isaac A. and Mary (Hensley) Bowman. He belongs to a family, which originated in England and immigrated to America during the Colonial times, its early members making their new home in Virginia. In that state was born the great grandfather of Squire F. Bowman, Thomas Bowman, who became a pioneer farmer and slaveholder of Owsley County, Kentucky, where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Peggy Moore, who was born in Virginia and died in Jackson County, Kentucky. One of the sons of this couple was Squire F. Bowman, the grandfather of the present County Court clerk. He was born in 1822 in Owsley County, Kentucky, where he passed his entire life as a farmer and died in 1857. He married Rhonda Morris, who was born in 1821, in Owsley County, and died in 1905, in Rockcastle County.

Isaac A. Bowman was born June 11, 1852, in Owsley County, Kentucky, and was but a child when his father died. He was reared and educated in his native community and early in life adopted farming as his life work. He was married in Owsley County, but in 1889 removed to Jackson County, where he was engaged in farming until his death, June 11, 1917, with the exception of ten years passed in Rockcastle County. From small beginnings trough industry and good management he built up a substantial property, and at his death was considered on of the well-to-do men of his locality. He was a leading stock dealer, and had various other interests, but found time likewise to engage in political matters and was a prominent Republican. For one term he served as sheriff of Jackson County. Mr. Bowman was a member of the Masonic fraternity and his religious connection was with the Christian Church. He married Mary Hensley, who was born in 1851, in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and she survives him and is a resident of Mount Vernon, making her home with her son, Squire F. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowman; W.M., who died in Jackson County at the age of twenty-three years; Squire F., of this review; J. Henry, who is a teacher in the public schools and a farmer in Rockcastle County; Charles, who was engaged in farming in Rockcastle County until his death, at the age of twenty-eight years; J. S., the proprietor of a pharmacy at Mount Vernon; Robert, who is engaged in farming in Rockcastle County; H. C., also engaged in agricultural operations in this county; Rhonda, the wife of John Shivell, a farmer of this county; and Skidd, a farmer of Jackson County, who is serving as a deputy sheriff of Rockcastle County.

Squire F. Bowman after attending the rural schools of Jackson County pursued a course at the normal school at Annville, in the same county, which he left at the age of twenty-two years. In the meantime, when twenty-one years old, he had commenced teaching in the county districts, and for three years was thus employed in Jackson County and for ten years in Rockcastle County. From early manhood Mr. Bowman had taken an interest in public affairs, and in November 1909, was elected County Court clerk of Rockcastle County. He took office in January 1910, and so capably did he discharge his duties that he was re-elected in 1913. His second term was a repetition of his devoted service and in 1917 he was again chosen for this office, while in 1921 he was elected without opposition for county judge. His offices are situated at the Court House. As before noted, his record is an admirable one, and he is accounted as among the best county officials this section has known. 

Mr. Bowman is a republican in politics, and his religious connection is with the Christian Church, in which he is serving as an elder. Fraternally he is affiliated with Ashland Lodge No. 640, Free and Accepted Masons of Mount Vernon; Mount Vernon Chapter No. 140, Royal Arch Masons; Mount Vernon Council, Junior Order United American Mechanics; Mount Vernon Lodge No. 320, Independent Order Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand; and Mount Vernon Tent No. 21, Knights of the Maccabees. He is a stockholder in the Peoples Bank of Mount Vernon, and owns a modern residence on West Main Street. He took a helpful part in all local war activities, and served on committees during the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives, in addition to being a liberal and willing contributor to all causes.

In 1899, in Rockcastle County, Mr. Bowman was united in marriage with Miss Ida Farmer, a daughter of John and Clara (Sandlin) Farmer, residents of McKee, Jackson County, where Mr. Farmer is a master commissioner and farm owner. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have one son, Dwight M., born March 31, 1900, now residing with his parents and serving as deputy County Court clerk. He enlisted April 22, 1917, and was sent for training to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, but was given his discharge from the service January 28, 1918, having been under age at the time of his enlistment.