Individual Details
James Nashville Bowles
(29 Aug 1838 - 8 Feb 1930)
Buried Centerville City Cemetery.
Notes imported from GEDCOM:
James N. Bowles was the son of William and Nancy Bowles. He was both farmer and businessman, operating a farm, a merchantile business, an hotel and a town newspaper. He lived most of his life in Reynolds County, Missouri. The only source located for his middle name"Nashville", is from his death certificate.
James N. Bowles was born in Pulaski (now Phelps) County, Missouri, on August 29, 1838. This date is verified by his death certificate. The birthplace is listed in both the book History of Early Reynolds County by James E. Bell, 1986 and Old Reynolds published in 1977 by the Reynolds County. It is also listed as his birthplace in the obituary for James N. Bowles, as published in the Reynolds County Courier, February 20, 1930.
The 1840 Federal census for Missouri lists a William and Nancy Bowles in Pulaski County, Missouri. It lists one male child under five, which would be James N.; one male age 15 - 20; one male age 30-40 which could be William who would have been 37-38 in 1840. There are two females, age 10-14 and one female, presumably Nancy, age 40-50. Nancy was about three years older than William and would have been age 40-42 which would agree with this census. As this census would agree with the ages of William,Nancy and James N. and the birh place is supported by family tradition and the obituary of James N., it is assumed this is our William and Nancy Bowles.
The obituary of James N. Bowles relates the story of Samuel B. Hunter,nephew of James N. that William Bowles and the Hunters were near neighbors of each other in Pulaski County, Missouri. After some time in Reynolds County, he and his son "Jim", went back to Pulaski County and brought Samuel Hunter back with ehm. He was about age 15.
According to this 1840 census, James N. probably had other siblings; a brother age 15-20, two sisters 10-14. In the 1870 census we find parents, William and Nancy Bowles in Logan Township in Reynolds County.Also in that household is a Mary Edwards. Her age is difficult to read on the census but appears to be age 42. There is also a Thomas Edwards age 16 and Nancy Edwards age 14. Mary is very probably the daughter of William and Nancy, as the 1830 Federal census for Pulaski County, lists two females, age 10-14. This Mary would have been about 12 years of age in 1830. Mary would therefore be the sister of James N. Bowles and Thomas and Nancy Edwards, his nephew and neice.
There are enough facts to establish for this writing, that James N.Bowles came to Reynolds County in 1850, at about age 13. First, his obituary gives the year as 1850. Next, in the book Old Reynolds, pages 139-158, there is a reprint of an article published in a Sl. Louis newspaper entitled "Reynolds County Has a Bumper Crop". In this article,the writer tells of a trip through Reynolds County in 1909. He names James N. Bowles as being one of the oldest citizens in the town of Centerville who came to the county in the early fifties. Also, in the book Early History of Reynolds County, by James E. Bell, 1986, William Bowles (father) is said to be the Reynolds County Postmaster in December 1852. It would seem logical that William Bowles would have needed to be in the county sufficient time to become well known and established, in order to obtain such a position in 1852. If the family left Pulaski County just before the 1850 census was taken there and arrived in Reynolds County just after it's census was taken, this would explain why they were not on the 1850 Federal census for Missouri. Together, this would establish that our William, Nancy and son James N., were in Reynolds County by about 1850.
There is no James N. Bowles found on the 1860 census for Reynolds County,Missouri. There is, however a James Boles, age 22. This would be the correct age for our James N. Bowles. There is in the household, a Bulah age 17 and a male age 5 whose name is difficult to read. It may be a James Mc___?. This could be the child, that James took in to raise after the parents froze to death when stranded in a snow storm while passing through the county. As William Crownover Bowles, first son of James and Ruth Bowles was born in Iron County in 1863, they may be on the Iron County Census for 1860.
In 1870, but not in time for the cesus, Martha Bowles, youngest child and only daughter of James N. and Ruth Crownover Bowles, died. She was born in 1868 and must have died before the 1870 census was taken. The tragic story of her death has been handed down in family tradition and was related to me in writing by Jewell Harrison Bowles of Centerville Missouri and has also been recorded by Jackie Scott Parks who has done extensive research on many Reynolds County, families. Martha either fell or was placed in the fireplace, while James and Ruth were out of the house. They believed a boy who had been orphaned, and was living with the Bowles, may have been responsible.
On the 1870 census James N. and Ruth Crownover Bowels are living in Carroll Township, Centerville Missouri, in dwelling #5. His neighbors include his parents William and Nancy Bowles in #7, Sheriff Josiah Barnes at #2, Thomas and Ann Hunter in number 6, Granville Carty in #10, and a Vandike (first name not legible) listed as a merchant from Pennslyvaniain #1. James N. Bowles is shown as 32 years of age and a farmer. Also in the household is wife Ruth, age 28 and children William age 6 and John Allen, age 3. James Albert is not listed on the census. He was born in September, 1869. James has listed real estate of $2000.00 and the value of personal property as $1000.00. Neither James nor Ruth are shown as able to read and write.
In 1873, Ruth Crownover Bowles died and James N. then married Elizabeth Jane Parks on August 27, 1874. Children William Crownover, John Allen,and James Albert were still in the home being about ages 9, 6, and 4.James and Elizabeth Jane Parks Bowles had eight children.
In 1880 the family was living within the "village" of Centerville, in Carroll Township in Reynolds County Missouri. James N. was listed as age 43, as of the census enumeration on June 02, 1880. He was a dry goods merchant, no doubt continuing the family business begun by his father,William. Also in the household were his wife, Elizabeth age 33; William C. age 16; John A. age 13; James A. age 10; Walter age 4; George W. age 2; and Laura B. age 11 months. William C. and John A. were listed as"working on the farm". They evidently were no longer attending school.
The 1900 Federal census for Reynolds County Missouri, shows that the family was in Carroll Township, #256. In the household was James Bowles,age 62; his wife, age 52; and children, Walter age 24, George age 22, Laura, age 20, Sarah age 16, Cora age 14, Hattie age 12 and Andrew age10. James Bowles owned a mortgaged farm with 219 animals but his occupation at this time was listed as a merchant. Son, Walter was a public school teacher and son George was a farm laborer, who no doubt tended the family farm on Sinking Creek. Son's William C., John Allen,and James Albert had established their own households by this time.
The article previously mentioned, taken from a St. Louis newspaper concerning Reynolds County in 1909, mentions James N. Bowles as owning a fine farm on the Sinking Creek, as being a senior member of the J.N.Bowles and Co., general merchants, Bowles Hotel owner and publisher ofthe Reformer, newspaper. It was said that he had his two sons, John(Allen) and (James)Albert helping him. The Hotel is described as a "nice old home hotel", having 12 rooms, nice yards and gardens with shaded verandas. Meals must have been included in the price of a room as thewriter states he doesn't see Mr. Bowles can furnish a table with the rateof $1.00 a day. The Reformer newspaper was founded by Dr. William C. Bowles, eldest son of James N. It was published weekly from 1891 until 1911. William died in 1895, and he and Andrew Parks took over the paper until 1911 when they sold to A. P. Shriver who changed the name to the"Outlook".
The household in the 1910 Federal census for Reynolds County Missouri has James N. as age 73 and wife Elizabeth as age, 62. They had been married 36 years. The children Cora age 24, Andrew age 20, Sarah age 26 and Water B. age 34 were also in the household. Walter B. is a widower and his 8month old daughter, Nedra was also in the household. Thomas Weible, son-in-law, age 30 (husband of Laura B. Bowles) was in the household with his children Cora, age 5, Lehmon age 3, and Clifford age 1. Thomas Weible had the occupation of farm laborer and was probably working for James N. Bowles on the family farm. They were no longer in the household by 1920.
On the 1920 Federal census for Reynolds County Missouri, James and Jane Elizabeth Parks Bowles were listed in the household of son, Walter B. Bowles (census lists him as "W.B."). James was shown as age 82 and Jane Elizabeth was age 72. Daughter Sarah is also in this household, age 36and single. There is also a nephew, Hale age 11. It is not known if this is the son of Sarah or one of the other sisters of Walter B. Bowles, Cora or Hattie. Hattie had a son, Samuel Hake. Perhaps this is the "Hale",misspelled on the 1920 census.
An article in the March 03, 1927 local newspaper, stated that "Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bowles and children of St. Louis visited "Uncle Jim" Bowles of Sinking Creek this week. Uncle Jim is getting very old and is in poor health at present time". This article courtesy of the research of Jacqueline Parks.
James N. Bowles died on February 08, 1930 according to a copy of his death certificate. He no doubt had seen many changes during his life from his young childhood in Pulaski County Missouri to his teenage years and adulthood spent in Reynolds County, Missouri. He had lived throughthis countries Civil War as well as World War I. He had witnessed the advent of electricity, the radio, the telephone, the automobile and the airplane. His obituary in the Reynolds County 'Courier', February 20,1930 stated, "It is doubtful whether any man had greater knowledge of the development of this county and of the events transpiring in the county during the past 80 years than did the deceased. He had a retentive memory and was an interesting talker and could always hold his listener by the stories told of happenings in this part of the county during and after the Civil War during and after the Civil War."
According to the obituary, he left 29 grandchildren (of which my [Brenda Vanderpool Brockman's ] grandfather, James Otto 'O.J.' Bowles was one) and 34 great grandchildren(including my mother, Mary Maxine'Max' Bowles Vanderpool and her sister,Edna Lucille Bowles Mohler). After the funeral service held in the Centerville Baptist Church, James N. Bowles was buried on February 09, 1930, in the Centerville Cemetery, in Centerville, Reynolds County Missouri. Date of burial is verified by the death certificate. He was over 92 years of age.
Notes imported from GEDCOM:
James N. Bowles was the son of William and Nancy Bowles. He was both farmer and businessman, operating a farm, a merchantile business, an hotel and a town newspaper. He lived most of his life in Reynolds County, Missouri. The only source located for his middle name"Nashville", is from his death certificate.
James N. Bowles was born in Pulaski (now Phelps) County, Missouri, on August 29, 1838. This date is verified by his death certificate. The birthplace is listed in both the book History of Early Reynolds County by James E. Bell, 1986 and Old Reynolds published in 1977 by the Reynolds County. It is also listed as his birthplace in the obituary for James N. Bowles, as published in the Reynolds County Courier, February 20, 1930.
The 1840 Federal census for Missouri lists a William and Nancy Bowles in Pulaski County, Missouri. It lists one male child under five, which would be James N.; one male age 15 - 20; one male age 30-40 which could be William who would have been 37-38 in 1840. There are two females, age 10-14 and one female, presumably Nancy, age 40-50. Nancy was about three years older than William and would have been age 40-42 which would agree with this census. As this census would agree with the ages of William,Nancy and James N. and the birh place is supported by family tradition and the obituary of James N., it is assumed this is our William and Nancy Bowles.
The obituary of James N. Bowles relates the story of Samuel B. Hunter,nephew of James N. that William Bowles and the Hunters were near neighbors of each other in Pulaski County, Missouri. After some time in Reynolds County, he and his son "Jim", went back to Pulaski County and brought Samuel Hunter back with ehm. He was about age 15.
According to this 1840 census, James N. probably had other siblings; a brother age 15-20, two sisters 10-14. In the 1870 census we find parents, William and Nancy Bowles in Logan Township in Reynolds County.Also in that household is a Mary Edwards. Her age is difficult to read on the census but appears to be age 42. There is also a Thomas Edwards age 16 and Nancy Edwards age 14. Mary is very probably the daughter of William and Nancy, as the 1830 Federal census for Pulaski County, lists two females, age 10-14. This Mary would have been about 12 years of age in 1830. Mary would therefore be the sister of James N. Bowles and Thomas and Nancy Edwards, his nephew and neice.
There are enough facts to establish for this writing, that James N.Bowles came to Reynolds County in 1850, at about age 13. First, his obituary gives the year as 1850. Next, in the book Old Reynolds, pages 139-158, there is a reprint of an article published in a Sl. Louis newspaper entitled "Reynolds County Has a Bumper Crop". In this article,the writer tells of a trip through Reynolds County in 1909. He names James N. Bowles as being one of the oldest citizens in the town of Centerville who came to the county in the early fifties. Also, in the book Early History of Reynolds County, by James E. Bell, 1986, William Bowles (father) is said to be the Reynolds County Postmaster in December 1852. It would seem logical that William Bowles would have needed to be in the county sufficient time to become well known and established, in order to obtain such a position in 1852. If the family left Pulaski County just before the 1850 census was taken there and arrived in Reynolds County just after it's census was taken, this would explain why they were not on the 1850 Federal census for Missouri. Together, this would establish that our William, Nancy and son James N., were in Reynolds County by about 1850.
There is no James N. Bowles found on the 1860 census for Reynolds County,Missouri. There is, however a James Boles, age 22. This would be the correct age for our James N. Bowles. There is in the household, a Bulah age 17 and a male age 5 whose name is difficult to read. It may be a James Mc___?. This could be the child, that James took in to raise after the parents froze to death when stranded in a snow storm while passing through the county. As William Crownover Bowles, first son of James and Ruth Bowles was born in Iron County in 1863, they may be on the Iron County Census for 1860.
In 1870, but not in time for the cesus, Martha Bowles, youngest child and only daughter of James N. and Ruth Crownover Bowles, died. She was born in 1868 and must have died before the 1870 census was taken. The tragic story of her death has been handed down in family tradition and was related to me in writing by Jewell Harrison Bowles of Centerville Missouri and has also been recorded by Jackie Scott Parks who has done extensive research on many Reynolds County, families. Martha either fell or was placed in the fireplace, while James and Ruth were out of the house. They believed a boy who had been orphaned, and was living with the Bowles, may have been responsible.
On the 1870 census James N. and Ruth Crownover Bowels are living in Carroll Township, Centerville Missouri, in dwelling #5. His neighbors include his parents William and Nancy Bowles in #7, Sheriff Josiah Barnes at #2, Thomas and Ann Hunter in number 6, Granville Carty in #10, and a Vandike (first name not legible) listed as a merchant from Pennslyvaniain #1. James N. Bowles is shown as 32 years of age and a farmer. Also in the household is wife Ruth, age 28 and children William age 6 and John Allen, age 3. James Albert is not listed on the census. He was born in September, 1869. James has listed real estate of $2000.00 and the value of personal property as $1000.00. Neither James nor Ruth are shown as able to read and write.
In 1873, Ruth Crownover Bowles died and James N. then married Elizabeth Jane Parks on August 27, 1874. Children William Crownover, John Allen,and James Albert were still in the home being about ages 9, 6, and 4.James and Elizabeth Jane Parks Bowles had eight children.
In 1880 the family was living within the "village" of Centerville, in Carroll Township in Reynolds County Missouri. James N. was listed as age 43, as of the census enumeration on June 02, 1880. He was a dry goods merchant, no doubt continuing the family business begun by his father,William. Also in the household were his wife, Elizabeth age 33; William C. age 16; John A. age 13; James A. age 10; Walter age 4; George W. age 2; and Laura B. age 11 months. William C. and John A. were listed as"working on the farm". They evidently were no longer attending school.
The 1900 Federal census for Reynolds County Missouri, shows that the family was in Carroll Township, #256. In the household was James Bowles,age 62; his wife, age 52; and children, Walter age 24, George age 22, Laura, age 20, Sarah age 16, Cora age 14, Hattie age 12 and Andrew age10. James Bowles owned a mortgaged farm with 219 animals but his occupation at this time was listed as a merchant. Son, Walter was a public school teacher and son George was a farm laborer, who no doubt tended the family farm on Sinking Creek. Son's William C., John Allen,and James Albert had established their own households by this time.
The article previously mentioned, taken from a St. Louis newspaper concerning Reynolds County in 1909, mentions James N. Bowles as owning a fine farm on the Sinking Creek, as being a senior member of the J.N.Bowles and Co., general merchants, Bowles Hotel owner and publisher ofthe Reformer, newspaper. It was said that he had his two sons, John(Allen) and (James)Albert helping him. The Hotel is described as a "nice old home hotel", having 12 rooms, nice yards and gardens with shaded verandas. Meals must have been included in the price of a room as thewriter states he doesn't see Mr. Bowles can furnish a table with the rateof $1.00 a day. The Reformer newspaper was founded by Dr. William C. Bowles, eldest son of James N. It was published weekly from 1891 until 1911. William died in 1895, and he and Andrew Parks took over the paper until 1911 when they sold to A. P. Shriver who changed the name to the"Outlook".
The household in the 1910 Federal census for Reynolds County Missouri has James N. as age 73 and wife Elizabeth as age, 62. They had been married 36 years. The children Cora age 24, Andrew age 20, Sarah age 26 and Water B. age 34 were also in the household. Walter B. is a widower and his 8month old daughter, Nedra was also in the household. Thomas Weible, son-in-law, age 30 (husband of Laura B. Bowles) was in the household with his children Cora, age 5, Lehmon age 3, and Clifford age 1. Thomas Weible had the occupation of farm laborer and was probably working for James N. Bowles on the family farm. They were no longer in the household by 1920.
On the 1920 Federal census for Reynolds County Missouri, James and Jane Elizabeth Parks Bowles were listed in the household of son, Walter B. Bowles (census lists him as "W.B."). James was shown as age 82 and Jane Elizabeth was age 72. Daughter Sarah is also in this household, age 36and single. There is also a nephew, Hale age 11. It is not known if this is the son of Sarah or one of the other sisters of Walter B. Bowles, Cora or Hattie. Hattie had a son, Samuel Hake. Perhaps this is the "Hale",misspelled on the 1920 census.
An article in the March 03, 1927 local newspaper, stated that "Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bowles and children of St. Louis visited "Uncle Jim" Bowles of Sinking Creek this week. Uncle Jim is getting very old and is in poor health at present time". This article courtesy of the research of Jacqueline Parks.
James N. Bowles died on February 08, 1930 according to a copy of his death certificate. He no doubt had seen many changes during his life from his young childhood in Pulaski County Missouri to his teenage years and adulthood spent in Reynolds County, Missouri. He had lived throughthis countries Civil War as well as World War I. He had witnessed the advent of electricity, the radio, the telephone, the automobile and the airplane. His obituary in the Reynolds County 'Courier', February 20,1930 stated, "It is doubtful whether any man had greater knowledge of the development of this county and of the events transpiring in the county during the past 80 years than did the deceased. He had a retentive memory and was an interesting talker and could always hold his listener by the stories told of happenings in this part of the county during and after the Civil War during and after the Civil War."
According to the obituary, he left 29 grandchildren (of which my [Brenda Vanderpool Brockman's ] grandfather, James Otto 'O.J.' Bowles was one) and 34 great grandchildren(including my mother, Mary Maxine'Max' Bowles Vanderpool and her sister,Edna Lucille Bowles Mohler). After the funeral service held in the Centerville Baptist Church, James N. Bowles was buried on February 09, 1930, in the Centerville Cemetery, in Centerville, Reynolds County Missouri. Date of burial is verified by the death certificate. He was over 92 years of age.
Events
| Birth | 29 Aug 1838 | Pulaski County, (now Phelps) Missouri | |||
| Marriage | 1859 | Reynolds County Missouri - Ruth Jane Crownover | |||
| Marriage | 27 Aug 1874 | Centerville, Reynolds County Missouri - Elizabeth Jane Parks | |||
| Death | 8 Feb 1930 | Centerville, Reynolds County Missouri | |||
| Burial | 9 Feb 1930 | Centerville City Cemetery, Centerville, Reynolds, Missouri, United States |
Families
| Spouse | Ruth Jane Crownover (1842 - ) |
| Child | Dr. William Crownover Bowles (1863 - ) |
| Child | John Allen Bowles (1866 - 1940) |
| Child | Martha Bowles (1868 - 1870) |
| Child | James Albert Bowles (1869 - 1947) |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Jane Parks (1847 - 1934) |
| Child | Walter Bowles (1876 - 1925) |
| Child | George W. Bowles (1877 - 1954) |
| Child | Laura Bowles (1879 - 1909) |
| Child | Theodocia G "Dosia" Bowles (1881 - ) |
| Child | Sarah L. Bowles (1883 - ) |
| Child | Hattie Bowles (1884 - ) |
| Child | Cora Bowles (1885 - ) |
| Child | Andrew Jackson Bowles (1890 - 1959) |
| Father | William Bowles (1802 - 1876) |
| Mother | Nancy J. Coppedge (1800 - ) |