Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Biography

Wilburn Bowman

by Winfred Tipton

WILBURN BOWMAN, son of Elisha W. Bowman and Evaline Isaacs, was born November 23, 1836 in Estill Co. Ky., later Owsley Co. Ky. Nothing is known about his childhood except he grew to manhood on his father's farm until August 19, 1861 when he enlisted as a Private in Company A of the 7th Ky. Volunteer Infantry at Booneville Ky., for a period of three years. He was described as being six feet tall, light complexion, blue eyes and light hair. He entered the service on September 22, 1861 at Camp Dick Robinson Ky. He saw action at Richmond Ky. on August 30, 1862, where he was listed as wounded in the thigh. He was reported in action from May 16, 1863 through May 23, 1863 at Vicksburg Ms., where a report of a wound in the left thigh was filed on May 22, 1863. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal at Louisville Ky. on October 5, 1864.

He married Mary Elizabeth McPherson in Clark Co. Ky. on January 30, 1866 and subsequently fathered the following children:

John Bowman November 24, 1866
Fannie Bowman November 19, 1868
Jesse Bowman November 14, 1870
William Bowman October 17, 1872
Charlie Bowman October 13, 1874
Martha Bowman January 6, 1877
Rachel October 14, 1884

His first wife Mary died after 1898 and he married his 2nd wife Catherine ???, July 16, 1906.

Pension application number 258,782 dated May 21, 1881 is on file, plus a second application dated April 22, 1998, and a third application on May 24, 1912 all at Booneville Ky.

Wilburn passed away on march 15, 1917 in Owsley Co. Ky. His 2nd wife Catherine filed for a widows pension on April 18, 1917 at Owsley Co. Ky.

His 2nd wife Catherine stated that he was incapacitated for three months prior to his death requiring constant care that forced her to sell many of her household items to defray the cost of his care, since his death had left her destitute and without any means of support.