Lucretia Cydie Bowman

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-296.3

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55580679
• Eby ID Number: 00002-296
• Occupation: 1890, Anacortes, Skagit, Washington, USA
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Amos B. Bowman, "the second son of Benjamin B. and Mary (Clemens) Bowman, was born at Blair, Waterloo County, Ontario, 1838, and died at Fairhaven, Washington, in June 1894.

The following article giving a sketch of the deceased's life, appeared in the World-Herald of Fairhaven, Washington, June 28th, 1894: "With the passing away of Amos Bowman, the founder of Anacortes, whose death occurred last week, the Puget sound country loses one of its best known and most historic figures. Before and during the boom of 1890 there was perhaps no more conspicuous character in this part of the country than Amos Bowman, and none who knew better its great possibilities and who labored more zealously for its development and progress.

Mr. Bowman was comparatively a young man, having been born in Blair, Waterloo County, Ontario, in 1839. While quite young his family moved to Ohio, where young Bowman attended college, and at the age of seventeen he went to New York to further prosecute his studies. He took up short hand and acquired such proficiency in it as to soon secure a position on the New York Tribune under Horace Greely, who became his friend.

During the early days of California he came to the Pacific coast and identified himself with the Sacramento Union, at that time the principal journal of the West. He then went to Germany and studied three years at the universities of Freiberg and Munich, graduating as a civil and mining engineer, afterwards traveling all over Europe, as the correspondent of the New York Tribune. Upon his return to America he again went to California and again took up journalism, for several years editing, in San Francisco, the Mining and Scientific Press. In this capacity he soon began to be looked upon as an authority on all matters relating to geology, and later assumed charge of the California geological survey. He served in that capacity five years, meantime running the line between California and Nevada, and acquiring an extended reputation as a scientist.

He was then invited to join the Canadian geological survey, which brought him north and with which he was connected up to the time of his death. In early days he surveyed the great Cariboo mining region, and prepared a great many reports about different sections of British Columbia. Early in his travels in the Northwest he became impressed with the location of Fidalgo island and took his family there in 1877. Anacortes were named after his wife, Anna Curtis, and to the building up of the town he devoted his best energies.

In 1882 he began the publication of the Northwest Enterprise which was later merged into the Daily Progress. Owning much of the most valuable property on the island, he gave liberally in land to induce the building of a railroad up the Skagit valley, and during the boom he was considered a very wealthy man. Mr. Bowman's faith in Fidalgo island was something more than that of an enthusiast, it became a part of him, and so firm was his conviction that a great destiny was in store for the town he had founded that subsequent depression did not even dim his cheerfulness.

Mr Bowman was no ordinary man; as a scientist he attained high rank, and in Ottawa, Washington City, and throughout the Pacific coast he was recognized as an authority on scientific matters. He was a member of the California geological survey, of the geological survey of the Dominion of Canada, and of the American institute of mining engineers, and had been a personal friend of the great Agassiz. His tastes were simple and his manner unaffected, but he possessed those manly qualities of mind and heart that gained for him a wide circle of friends. Of gentle and charitable disposition, he often impoverished himself to enrich others, and the sad news of his demise will occasion in many hearts a feeling of personal loss which only a knowledge and appreciation of his manly virtues could induce." He was married to Anna Curtis. His family consisted of four children".


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

_________________________

Bowman Hall By W.V. Wells,

In some respects buildings are like people. some figure more or less prominently in their respective communities; while others are less conspicuous. Some get into the habit of moving about while others remain in the same place as long as they live. To some the elements are kind and they live a long time; to others fate is not so kind and they are soon gone.

The one building that has more of a touch of romance and around which cluster more events of historic interest than any other building in Anacortes is a little dwelling house situated on the north side of Fourth street and about midway in the block between T and U avenues. This house faced to the west and nestled with a group of cedars and maples a rod or two to the south of it s present location, and was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Bowman.

The Bowmans came to Fidalgo island in 1875, and in 1877, when practically all of Fidalgo island was a wilderness, they purchase the land which now comprises Cap Sante and that portion of the original town-site north of Eleventh street and east of O avenue. The Cap Sante home of the Bowmans from the time of its construction in 1877 to the time of the platting of the city of Anacortes in January 1880, was known as the "Hall." Be-cause of the convenience of the home and the hospitality of its owners, the early settlers of Fidalgo and Guemes islands made the Bowman residence their meeting place for religious and other public gathering


Anacortes American newspaper, Dec. 15, 1927


_____________________________________

Amos Bowman, Dec. 15, 1839-June 18, 1894
By John Conrad

When Amos Bowman came in Anacortes in 1875 the north side of Fidalgo island was practically a dense forest. He came to Anacortes directly [following] the results of the Canadian Pacific [railroad] explora-tions when it was [planned] that the road would take the course of the Fraser valley and Anacortes was the direct out-let and commercial terminus. Mr. Bowman bought 168 acres and [Bowman] at once started building a town. He built a wharf and a store, established a post office, newspaper and was instrumental in having, inside and outside, steam-boat routes established from Port Townsend via Anacortes and the islands to Whatcom. He built warehouses for Swinomish grain and arranged for ocean steamers to stop at Anacortes docks. At this time he published a railroad map showing the future of Anacortes and western Washington. By 1882 he realized he would have to wait the coming of more people, and reentered the service of the Canadian government.

In 1888 he sensed it was time for progress to move forward again, returned to Anacortes, helped raise a subsidy for the building of a road from Anacortes 30 miles to the coal mines [near Woolley and Hamilton] and deeded 50 acres of land to the Oregon Improvement Company to aid the development of the city. In the winter of 1889-90 the railroad excitement became intense and population began to flock to the town, streets were laid out, wharves built, the land cleared, a station erected, and in a year and a half from the time the best restaurant was under a tent, there were - a number of good hotels (two of them were brick), one state bank and one national bank, several churches, a public grammar school and a high school in a $40,000 building, iron works, two saw mills, a sash and door factory, a brewery, six large ocean docks with terminal tracks, and electric lights, an electric motor line running the full length of the island, a fine opera house, a daily newspaper and a connection with the Northern Pacific, Union and Canadian Pacific Railroads. The people thought so much of Mr. Bowman's efforts (and those of his wife) that they named the city after his wife, Anne Curtis Bowman.

Puget Sound Mail newspaper, LaConner, Aug. 4, 1966

_________________________________


Amos B. Bowman was born at Blair, but soon after, his parents moved to Ohio. Later he had a very distinguished career as a renowned scientist in Canada and the United States.

Following university studies in Germany, he graduated as a civil and mining engineer, and travelled in Europe writing articles for the New York Tribune.

An outstanding authority on geology, he had charge of a five-year California geological survey. He then joined an official Canadian geological survey, surveying the Cariboo mining region, and prepared reports on many sections of British Columbia.

Mr. Bowman promoted the interests of Fidalgo Island in British Columbia, whose possibilities impressed him. In recognition of his services, the town of Anacortes was named after his wife, Anna Curtis Bowman. He published a newspaper, and gave liberally in land to induce the building of a railroad up the Skagit Valley.

It was said of this outstanding scientist that "he often impoverished himself to enrich others."

Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

__________________


AMOS BOWMAN DEAD.

Anacortes June 20-Amos Bowman died at his home in this city Monday afternoon after an illness of several weaks, the result of hardships experienced in making a trip to Victoria in a small boat. Amos Bowman was 55 years of age and had been a conspicuaus figure on the coast since the early days of California. Early in his travels in the Northwest he became impressed with this locality, and at one time owned large landed interests here. A considerable portion of this land he gave to the railroad company, and during the boom of 1890 he was looked upon as a very wealthy man. He leaves a family consisting of a wife, a daughter and three sons, all of whom were with him at the time of death. The town of Anacortes (Anna-Cortes) was named for Mrs, Bowman.

Wednesday, June 20, 1894 Paper: Tacoma Daily News (Tacoma, WA)

Rsrch. Note:
AMOS B. BOWMAN 1838-1894

Amos B. Bowman was born at Blair, but soon after, his parents moved to Ohio. Later he had a very distinguished career as a renowned scientist in Canada and the United States.

Following university studies in Germany, he graduated as a civil and mining engineer, and traveled in Europe writing articles for the New York Tribune.

An outstanding authority on geology, he had charge of a five-year California geological survey. He then joined an official Canadian geological survey, surveying the Cariboo mining region, and prepared reports on many sections of British Columbia.

Mr. Bowman promoted the interests of Fidalgo Island in British Columbia, whose possibilities impressed him. In recognition of his services, the town of Anacortes was named after his wife, Anna Curtis Bowman. He published a newspaper, and gave liberally in land to induce the building of a railroad up the Skagit Valley.

It was said of this outstanding scientist that "he often impoverished himself to enrich others."

Amos married Anna Bondfield Curtis Apr 1871, Smartsville, Yuba Co. , California. Anna (daughter of M. Mellville Curtis and Sophia Louisa Allsopp) was born 28 Jan 1846, Belleville, Essex, New Jersey, USA; died 7 Apr 1906, Berkeley, Alameda, California, USA; was buried , Anacortes, Skagit, Washington, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55580711
• Honoured: Anacortes, Skagit, Washington, USA; Anacortes named in her honour.
• Name: Anna Bondfield Bowman
• Eby ID Number: 00002-296.1

Notes:

Anne Curtis Bowman, Jan. 28, 1846-April 7, 1906
Partly based on details from an unpublished manuscript by Eunice Darvill

Annie Curtis Bowman

Anne Bondfield Curtis was born on Jan. 28, 1846, in Belleville, New Jersey, the second youngest of six children. Her parents were M. Mellville Curtis, mill owner, and Sophia Louisa Allsopp, daughter of Robert Allsopp, Commissary General and prominent landowner at Quebec, Canada. Around 1862, life changed greatly for all the Curtis children with the death of their father after a lingering illness, which diminished their financial resources.

In 1868, Annie traveled west with her mother and her sister Sallie, with whom she would remain close the rest of her life. They joined her older brother and sister. Brother Allen was a mining superintendent in Austin, Nevada. The younger sisters settled with sister Lucretia and her husband, William Carpenter, near Marysville, California. Annie soon met Amos Bowman there through her brother-in-law. Annie and Sallie later moved to Austin to join their brother but she returned in April 1871 to marry Amos Bowman in Smartsville, California. Soon after their marriage, Annie traveled back to the northeast with family and visited Amos's parents along with her own relatives. Those visits also included itinerary to Canada and Cap Sante near Quebec especially impressed her, a name that she tucked away for future reference.

After returning home to Amos at their San Francisco home, Annie gave birth to Wendell Cortez Bowman in 1873, so we can see the early favor of the Spanish Cortez name, possibly due to friendship with Spaniards on the sailing trip back east. He was followed by Clytie Lucretia in 1874. After work with the geological survey in California, Amos traveled to Seattle for another geological survey for railroad interests in Washington territory. While there, Amos combed through the archives of Northern Pacific and discovered the company's interest in Fidalgo island as a possible West Coast terminus. Annie joined Amos in time for Bondfield (Ben) to be born in Seattle on Dec. 4, 1876. In the following year they all moved to a small village named Ship Harbor on Fidalgo island. Annie quickly impressed the handful of families living around the island and they agreed with her husband who named a new town Anacortes, derived from her name and Cortez, which fit in with the original Spanish names for landmarks in the area. They named their new home Cap Sante from Annie's contact in Quebec.

Although Anacortes was largely wilderness and remote, the cosmopolitan and educated Annie set about to support her husband's plan for a future metropolis. They were soon joined by her sister Sallie, who mar-ried Dr. T.B. Childs. The honeymooners moved back to Austin, Nevada for a few years but later returned to Fidalgo. Annie's younger brother Melville also joined them in the late 1880s when Anacortes was planning for the railroad and boom times. Annie tended to the family during the 1880s when the local economy lagged and Amos was called away often for geological contracts south of the border and in British Columbia and when he traveled and researched with author Hubert Howe Bancroft.

Finally, after 12 years of patient waiting and preparation, the Bowmans's vision finally blossomed in 1889-91 as the Seattle & Northern railroad was built from Ship Harbor to Woolley and various railroad interests boomed Anacortes as a classic example of frontier railroad/real estate promotion. Original settlers made small fortunes from their original homesteads and dozens of substantial buildings and homes sprung up on more than two-dozen plats. But, as with Sedro and Woolley to the east, the railroad boom was brief. James J. Hill of the Great Northern railroad overtook Northern Pacific and built the main north-south rail line and S&N became a spur line. Then a depressed economy began setting in locally in 1892 and a full-blown nationwide depression dried up capital from 1893-96. But worse for Annie was the death of Amos on June 18, 1894, and his doubts in his own success in his last years. Annie's brothers proved to be better businessmen.

Annie could no longer live in Anacortes. She soon moved the children to Sumas, Washington, on the Canadian border, and although they returned for visits with family and friends, Anacortes - her name-sake city, would never be home again. As if grief over Amos wasn't bad enough, Annie's son Ben attended the University of California at Berkeley to study mining engineering with his cousin Harold Childs and while there he contracted a spinal illness and Annie went to California to care for him. After Annie died from a heart attack in California in April 1906, with Sallie by her side, her body was returned to Anacortes and she was buried next to Amos.

_________________



ANNA CURTIS GAVE NAME TO ANACORTES

Mrs. Bowman Buried Today in City Whose Foundation She Helped to Lay.

Word was received yesterday by Mrs. J. M. Grittith that the body of Mrs. Anna Bowman. wife of her brother, who died suddenly in Pacific Grove, Cal., had arrived in Anacortes, where interment will take place today. Mrs. Bowman was well known in Bellingham and Whatcom county. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman were the original owners of the townsite of Anacortes. Her malden name was Anna Curtis, and when the town was established on their land Mr. Bowman contracted the name Anna Curtis, making the new word "Anacortes," the name the thriving little city to the south of Bellin ham now bears. Mrs. Bowman was attending her son at a sanitarium at Pacifle Grove when her death occurred. Her death was due to heart trouble.

Apr 14, 1908 Paper: Bellingham Held (Begam WA)

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-47
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

Benjamin B. Baumann, "the youngest son of Joseph Baumann, was born February 15th, 1811, and died in Kent County, Michigan, February 24th, 1872. "

Benjamin B. Bowman, "the youngest son of Rev. Joseph and Mary (Baer) Bowman, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, February 15th, 1811. When he was five years of age his parents moved to Canada. He was raised at Blair, Ontario. He was married to Mary, daughter of Deacon Abraham S. and Rachel (Dierstein) Clemens. They resided on a farm near Blair for many years; then they moved to Kent County, Michigan, where he died February 24th, 1872. Since then his wife and some members of the family moved near Fairhaven, Washington, U.S., where she still resides with one of her children. Their family consisted of eleven children, .."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Benjamin — Mary Clemens. Mary (daughter of Deacon Abraham S. Clemens and Rachel Dierstein) was born 6 Mar 1815, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 24 Aug 1901, , Whatcom, Washington, United States; was buried , Bayview Cemetery, Bellingham, Whatcom, Washington, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Bowman
• Eby ID Number: 00023-1806

Notes:

Mary Clemens, "was born March 6th, 1815. She was married to Benjamin B. Bowman who died in Kent County, Michigan, February 24th, 1872. She now resides near Fairhaven, Washington, U. S. "


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

__________________

BOWMAN - On the 24th of August, 1901, in Whatcom, Wash., of the infirmities of old age, Mary Bowman, widow of the late Pre. B.B. Bowman, aged 86 years and 6 months. Her maiden name was Clemens. She was born in Bucks Co., Pa., March 6, 1815. Her family moved to Canada, with others of the Mennonite people when she was twelve years old, and formed with them a large settlement in Waterloo Co., Ont. The Bowmans were from Bucks Co., and had previously settled in the same neighborhood, and some years later Mary became the wife of B..B. Bowman, the youngest son of a large family. He died in 1872. Mary Bowman's family consisted of four sons and seven daughters, of whom one son and four daughters survive. She came to Whatcom in 1883. Her increasing infirmities rendered her helpless for a year and nine months, when death came to her relief and she calmly fell asleep. Funeral on the 27th. Interment at Bay View Cemetery.

Herald of Truth - September 15, 1901 - Page 287

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-23743

M. — Sophia Louisa Allsopp. Sophia (daughter of Robert Allsopp, Commissary General) was born Abt 1825; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Sophia Louisa Curtis
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-23744

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65137428
• Eby ID Number: 00002-34
• Land: Bef 1831, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Joseph Baumann, "the fourth son of Christian Baumann, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, July 19th, 1766. He was married to Mary Baer, who was born January 23rd, 1772, and died October 29th 1842. In 1802 he was ordained as minister of the Mennonite body. He was a good man, and his sermons always made a deep impression upon the audiences who assembled at places of worship on Sabbath days. In May, 1816, he with his family moved to Canada and settled near Blair, Ontario. The family consisted of thirteen children."

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Joseph — Mary Baer. Mary was born 23 Jan 1772; died 29 Oct 1842, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65138108
• Name: Maria Baer
• Name: Mary Bauman
• Eby ID Number: 00002-34.1

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26509800
• Name: Abraham S. Clemmens
• Name: Abram S. Clemens
• Eby ID Number: 00023-1795
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 123, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: 1837, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 111, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Residence: 1867, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Abraham S. Clemens, "the youngest son of Abraham and Mary (Steiner) Clemens, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, March 7th, 1790. On May 19, 1812, he was married to Rachel Dierstein who was born November 15th, 1791, and died December 3rd, 1864. In 1825 they moved to Canada and settled in Waterloo County, about one mile west of Breslau, on lot No. 123, German Company's Tract. Here they resided until 1837 when he purchased part of lot No. 111, about two miles south of Breslau. Here they resided until their deaths. His death took place December 25, 1867. A good many years before his death he was ordained a deacon of the Mennonite Church, a position for which he was well qualified. Many a wholesome advice did he give to his congregation. His practice was to visit all the members of his field of labor twice a year and during such visits he would give words of cheer and comfort to many a weary pilgrim. He encouraged them to look to Christ in all their trials and troubles and reminded them of the many cheering promises given unto all who put their trust in him who died for all. To them was born a family of eight children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

_______________________

OBITUARY FOR ABRAHAM S. CLEMMENS

Died on the first day of the recent Christmas holidays, that is on December 25th last, Abraham S. Clemmens died in Waterloo township, Waterloo County, Canada West of apoplexy. He was formerly of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1790 in Lower Salford township, in the aforementioned Montgomery county, and died at the age of 77 years, 9 months, and 18 days. He entered the holy state of matrimony on May 19, 1812 with Rachel Derstein of Bucks county, and emigrated to Canada with his family in the year 1825. He was happily married for approximately 52 years, and a widower for 3 years and 22 days. He sired 8 children, 6 of whom are still living, namely 3 sons and 3 daughters.

His descendants, with 51 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren, number consequently, 89 souls. On the day he died, he arose healthy and happy, sat down to breakfast after he had directed a loud and earnest prayer to the Giver of all good. He shoved aside a coffee cup which was sitting near him, and reached for the jug, to pour himself a drink of water, when suddenly, his hand fell. His son George, who had also just risen from the table, hurried over to help his father; his soul wanted to take leave of his body, and no human effort was of any help to him. He was speedily carried to his bed; but, he did not open his eyes again; his speech became weak and during the night that followed, approximately at 11.30 p.m., he slept away to his Lord. The deceased was generally respected and loved, and after he had accomplished much good, and ,we hope, useful things during his active life, he peacefully paid the debt of nature. For many years, he was the head of the Mennonite congregation there, and his eye was ever watchful over his flock. On the 29th instant, his body was taken to Cressman's Mennonite meeting-house, accompanied by a large number of friends and acquaintances, and committed to mother-earth, on which occasion the Rev. Hagey (at the deceased's house), and the Rev. Enoch Derstein (at the grave), spoke words of comfort and instruction to the crowd present, based on the text in the latter part of Verse 12, Chapter 4 of the Book of Amos: " Because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, 0 Israel!"

Obituary of Abraham S. Clemmens paper unknown

______________

Died

Quite suddenly, from apoplexy, on the 25th ult., Abram S. Clemens of Waterloo Township, aged 77 years 9 months and 18 days.

Waterloo Chronicle 2 Jan 1868, p. 2

_______________________




Did Abraham Clemens marry Nancy Burkholder? Marriage in Waterloo County Marriage Register 1858-1869. Abraham Clemens aged 64, resident of Waterloo born Pennsylvania son of Abraham and Mary married 31 Mar 1867 to Nancy Bowman aged 57 resident of Waterloo born Pennsylvania daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Burkholder.

Abraham married Rachel Dierstein 19 May 1812. Rachel (daughter of Abraham Derstein and Catherine Sellers) was born 15 Nov 1791, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 3 Dec 1864, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 6 Dec 1864, Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Rachel Clemens
• Eby ID Number: 00023-1795.1

Notes:

On the 3d of December 1864, in Waterloo Co., C. W., after suffering several days with Colic, Rachel Clemens, wife of Abm. S. Clemens,(Deacon,) aged 73 years and 18 days. Her maiden name was Derstein. She was buried on the 6th at Cressman's grave yard, when in the meeting house at the same place, funeral discourses were delivered from Jn. 5: 24, 25, and Rev. 14: 13.


Herald of Truth March 1865 - Vol. II, No.3 Page 23, 24

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-23745