Isaac Erb Bowman, MP^{[1, 2, 3]}

1832 - 1897  (65 years)

• Name	Isaac Erb Bowman
  Suffix	MP
  Born	17 Aug 1832	St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18366325
  Residence	1851	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Evangelist
  Occupation	1857	St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [13]
  	teacher
  Residence	1861	St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  Occupation	1871	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Farmer & Tanner
  	The I.E. Bowman Tannery was founded in 1855. By 1861 it employed five people; two employees were engaged in tanning, while the other three made shoes.
  		I. E. Bowman Tannery - St. Jacob's Tannery Black and white photograph of five men wearing leather aprons standing in front of the I.E. Bowman Tannery, St. Jacobs, Ontario. Several men are holding scrapers. The I.E. Bowman Tannery was founded in 1855. By 1861 it employed five people; two employees were engaged in tanning, while the other three made shoes.
  Occupation	1891	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	Gentleman
  Residence	1891	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	Methodist
  Died	3 Sep 1897	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6, 7, 10, 12, 14]
  Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region	Bef 2012	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [15]
  Rsrch. Note	ISAAC ERB BOWMAN 1832-1897 Isaac Erb Bowman was one of the most prominent and competent politicians and businessmen in Waterloo County's history. Born on a St. Jacobs's farm, he was educated at the local public school and Rockwood Academy and taught school for ten years. He lived in St. Jacobs for most of his life. In his early years he was a municipal clerk, treasurer of Woolwich Township and St. Jacobs postmaster. In 1864 he was elected as a Liberal to the last parliament of old Canada, and represented with distinction the north riding of Waterloo from 1864 to1878 and from 1887 to1896. Bowman was senior member of the firm of Bowman and Zinkan that operated tanneries in St. Jacobs, Port Elgin and Southampton. He was one of the founders of the Ontario Mutual Life Assurance Company (now the Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada) and was president from 1870 to 1897. He was also president of the Mercantile Fire Insurance Company
  Name	I E. Bowman
  Name	Isaac Erb Bauman
  Eby ID Number	00002-576
  Buried	Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7, 12]
  Person ID	I8048	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

  Father	John B. Bowman,   b. 1 Mar 1808, Alleghany Valley, Berks Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 25 Nov 1881, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 73 years)
  Mother	Lydia Erb,   b. 12 Nov 1809, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 12 Nov 1877, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 68 years)
  Married	12 Oct 1830  [4]
  Family ID	F2546	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Lydia Bowman,   b. 29 Jan 1839, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 22 Jan 1927, Southampton, , Hampshire, England  (Age 87 years)
  Married	18 Dec 1861	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8, 16]
  Children	1. Charles Martin Bowman,   b. 7 May 1863, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 24 Oct 1932, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 69 years)   2. Albert Frederick Bowman,   b. 16 May 1865, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1945  (Age 79 years)   3. Anna Louisa Bowman,   b. 7 Mar 1870, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 20 Jun 1872  (Age 2 years)
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F2399	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Nancy Kaufman,   b. 1838, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 28 Dec 1858  (Age 20 years)
  Married	12 Oct 1857	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [13]
  Children	1. Selina Bauman,   b. 14 Aug 1858, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 18 Apr 1859, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 0 years)
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F3209	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Bowman, Isaac Erb - 1832-1897.jpg
  		Isaac E. Bowman from Doon Heritage Crossroads
  		Isaac Erb Bowman Cabinet card portrait of Isaac Erb Bowman Liberal member of Parliament for Waterloo North from 1864 to 1878 and again from 1887 to 1896. Waterloo Pubic Library Digital Collection

  
  

• Notes

  Isaac E. Baumann, "was born August 17th, 1832. He is the eldest son of a family of ten children. His father was among the early settlers of the township of Woolwich and resided on the north bank of the Conestogo River, at St. Jacobs, where Mr. Baumann was born. At the age of twenty he commenced life as a public school teacher. He found sufficient time during his life as a teacher to keep himself posted on all questions pertaining to the political problems of the day. He has always taken an active part during the various political campaigns in our county. In 1864 he was nominated and elected as member for the last parliament for old Canada, by the Reform party, defeating the Honorable Michael Hamilton Foley by a handsome majority. In 1867, when the Confederation was formed, he was re-elected by acclamation, and again in 1871, and in 1874, but during the campaign of 1878 he was defeated, September 17th, by the Conservative candidate. In 1891 the Reform Convention again brought out Mr. Baumann as the standard bearer of their party. At the close of the polls it was found that Mr. Baumann had gained quite a majority of votes over his opponent, the Conservative candidate. Since then he has held the seat in the House of Commons, discharging its duties with a degree of ability complimentary to himself and highly satisfactory to his constituents. He is president of the Ontario Fire & Life Insurance Companies and also of the Mercantile Insurance Co. At present he resides in the town of Waterloo. He is married to Lydia, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Bowers) Bowman. They have a family of two sons" 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.]. ______________________________ Isaac Erb Bowman, of Waterloo, the subject of this sketch, was born in the township of Woolwich, in the County of Waterloo, Ontario, 1832. Here he was brought up, and here he attended school, subsequently entering the Rockwood Academy till he was prepared to begin and make his way in the world. Our subject is the son of John B. Bowman, a gentleman well known for high character; and his mother was Lydia, nee Erb. When Isaac reached his eighteenth year he had not made up his mind with respect to an avocation ; but he had a good education, and an opportunity presenting, he entered a school as master. He liked the profession of teaching, took pride in his work, and was very successful. As a teacher he remained employed till 1860, when certain allurements lay beyond the teaching profession. But in the meantime Mr. Bowman had not confined himself exclusively to the duties of the class room. In 1857 he became clerk of the township of Woolwich, and held the position till 1873. In 1858 he was appointed treasurer for the same municipality, and he holds this position at the present time. Those who had watched his career for some years, (included that he had excellent qualifications for parliament, so the electors of North Waterloo, in 1864, elected him as their representative in the Legislative Assembly of Canada ; and again in 1867 to represent them in the House of Commons, and this seat he held until 1878. Mr. Bowman was always what was known as a "solid" representative, and his judgment could always be relied upon. Mr. Bowman is president of the Ontario Mutual Life Insurance Company, and this position he has held since the organization of the company in 1870. He is likewise president of the Mercantile Fire Insurance Company, and a director of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1860 ; and has always taken a deep interest in the progress of moral movements. He is a prominent member of the Methodist communion. In 1857 he married Nancy Kaufman, daughter of Andrew Kaufman, late of Preston. She died in 1858. He married again, in 1861, Lydia Bowman, daughter of .1. W. Bowman. He adopted the tanning business in 1857, which he has pursued with uniform success ever since ; and is at present a partner of the tanning firm of Bowman A: Zinkan, of Southampton, and is carrying on a kip tannery at St. Jacob on his own account. A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography Being Chiefly Men of the Time. 1886 _____________________ ISAAK E. BAUMANN It is our sad duty to bring to our readers the news of the death of the widely-known and highly respected Mr. Isaak E. Baumann who died at 4a.m. Friday morning at his residence in Waterloo of abdominal hemorrhaging. He was the son of John B. Baumann and Lydia, nee Erb, and was born August 17, 1832 in Woolwich. He attained the age of 65 years and 17 days. After attending public school, he prepared himself at the Rockwood Academy for the teaching profession which he began at the age of 18 years and continued until 1860. In 1857 he became clerk and, in 1858, treasurer of the township of Woolwich, which offices he continued until 1885. In 1864 he was elected representative of North Waterloo in the Legislative Assembly of Canada, and after confederation had been achieved in 1867, as a member in the Dominion Parliament which seat he held until 1878, and then again, from 1887 - 1896, at which time he refused the nomination for re-election. He enjoyed in this capacity the full trust of the Liberals, for whom he did more in North Waterloo than any other man. He worked tirelessly for the organization of the party and at election-time, took part with the greatest enthusiasm, whether or not he was a candidate. At these times, his excellent talents as a speaker stood him in good stead. Despite the fact that he had not had any German education of note, he was well versed in the German language and knew how to express himself just as fluently as in English. With firm decisiveness in political matters, he combined proper treatment of his opponents in elections, along with modest simple, friendly behaviour in personal relations, and was, consequently, loved and respected by all classes. He will be sorely missed not only in this county, but also in wider circles. Among parliamentarians without regard to party affiliations, he was regarded as an active and useful representative whose opinion in all matters was respected. Since the founding of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1863, he was the manager of the same, and since 1875, president of the Mercantile Fire Insurance Company in Waterloo, which was amalgamated with the London & Lancashire Insurance Co. in 1896. In addition, he was president of the Ontario Life Insurance Society, which position he held from 1871 to 1897 without interruption. In every way, his advice was found reliable and his judgment definitive. In respect to business, he was the owner of tanneries in St. Jacobs, Port Elgin and Southampton, which he ran with financial success. In 1857, he married Nancy Kaufmann of Preston, who however, died the following year. Since 1861 he has been married to Lydia Baumann, daughter of Jakob W. Baumann. He is survived by 2 sons: Charles & Frederick, who run the tannery in Southampton. At the burial on Tuesday, a great many mourners from near and far were present. After a short service in the Methodist church, the body was accompanied by a large number of mourners to St. Jacobs, the birthplace and former residence of the deceased and buried in the cemetery there. Berliner Journal 9 Sep 1897 Translated by: Patricia J. Kauk for the Kitchener Public Library ____________________________ Isaac Erb Bowman was one of the most prominent and competent politicians and businessmen in Waterloo County's history. Born on a St. Jacobs's farm, he was educated at the local public school and Rockwood Academy and taught school for ten years. He lived in St. Jacobs for most of his life. In his early years he was a municipal clerk, treasurer of Woolwich Township and St. Jacobs postmaster. In 1864 he was elected as a Liberal to the last parliament of old Canada, and represented with distinction the north riding of Waterloo from 1864 to1878 and from 1887 to1896. Bowman was senior member of the firm of Bowman and Zinkan that operated tanneries in St. Jacobs, Port Elgin and Southampton. He was one of the founders of the Ontario Mutual Life Assurance Company (now the Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada) and was president from 1870 to 1897. He was also president of the Mercantile Fire Insurance Company. Waterloo Region Hall of Fame _______________ King Street, Kitchener Next, well back and at the bottom of a slope from King Street, was the back of Gaukel's Hotel, extending back to Hall's Lane. Gaukel's was the first considerable Hotel in Berlin. Frederick Gaukel, who had come from Pennsylvania in 1820, purchased a tract of lots in 1833 from Joseph Schneider on the westerly corner of Queen and King Streets, the site formerly occupied by Phineas Vemum's blacksmith shop, and thereon erected a two story frame building with a wide Colonial style veranda. Candidates at election spoke from this veranda to the crowd on the street, and it had other like uses. The little house standing in the rear, which Phineas Varnum had used for a tavern, was used as a kitchen. The hotel woodshed came next. It was a frame building. When judges came to Berlin for County Court they stayed at this hotel and Henry Stroh would be asked to forage for speckled trout and partridge, Mr. Gaukel wishing to place something special before his distinguished guests. In 1851 Gaukel had a bear tied by a chain to a post in the barnyard on King Street. There was a cross board on top of the post to which the bear could climb and become a public exhibition. In the early years Indians, wrapped in their government blankets, were in the habit of calling at the house for something to eat. The woods along the Conestoga River abounded in butternuts and these, gathered in the fall, served to entertain the guests on Sunday afternoons. Henry Bachman was an early bartender at the hotel. Frederick Gaukel died in 1853. His son George thereafter had the hotel for one year, paying $140.00 rent to the Estate. James Potter, who came from Bridgeport, then bought the place and changed its name to The Great Western Hotel. He took down the heavy colonial veranda and replaced it with a new one of iron posts and iron railings. The veranda continued to be a rostrum for political orators. Hon. Michael Hamilton Foley, Post Master General, and Mr. I. E. Bowman, for many years Member of Parliament for North Waterloo, spoke from it. Potter had a large swinging sign on a post at the corner facing King Street. On a windy day 'the squeak of the swinging sign could be heard throughout the village. On the sign were the proprietor's name, the name of the hotel and a picture of The Great Eastern Steamship, by far the largest ship of its time. REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder. ____________ In Memoriam Died. At Waterloo. Friday, September 3rd, 1897, at 4 o'clock, a.m., Isaac Erb Bowman, Aged 65 Years and 17 Days. Funeral. The Funeral will take place from the residence, King Street, Waterloo, Tuesday, September 7th, 1897, at 1 p.m., to the Methodist church for service, thence to the cemetery at St. Jacobs, for interment. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation. Funeral Card

  
  

• Sources

  [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 144. [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 842. [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 636. [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 176. [S144] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1871, Div 4, Page 48. [S184] Funeral Card - - Funeral Card Notices of Waterloo County from 1851 to 1980. In Memoriam/ Died./ At Waterloo. Friday, September 3rd, 1897,/ at 4 o'clock, a.m.,/ Isaac Erb Bowman,/ Aged 65 Years and 17 Days./ Funeral./ The Funeral will take place from the residence,/ King Street, Waterloo,/ Tuesday, September 7th, 1897, at 1 p.m.,/ to the Methodist church for service, thence to the/ cemetery at St. Jacobs, for interment./ Friends and acquaintances will please accept/ this intimation [S232] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - Calvary United St. Jacobs 4585 Cemetery Internet Link. In / Memory of / Isaac Erb / Bowman / Born Aug. 17, 1832 / Died / Sept. 3, 1897 / Aged / 65 Y'rs. 17 Days / Bowman / [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register. Lydia Bowman Born: Waterloo Res: Elmira Age: 22 Father: Jacob Mother: Mary Ann Born: 1839 Spouse: Isaac E. Bowman Age: 29 born: Ontario Res: St. Jacobs Born: 1832 Father: John B. Mother: Lydia married 18 Dec 1861 [S141] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1851, Div. 3, Pg. 18. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), Obituary of Isaak E. Bauman - 9 Sep 1897. [S1573] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1891, Section 4 Page 29. [S3231] Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18366325/isaac-erb-bowman. [S14] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Chronicle (1856-1860), October 21, 1857. On the 12th inst., by the Rev. James Sim, Mr. Isaac Bowman, Teacher, St. Jacobs, Woolwich, to Miss Nancy Kauffman, of Bloomingdale, Waterloo [S60] News - Christian Guardian, 15 Sep 1897 pg 581, News Item. Isaac Bowman, of Berlin, pres. of the Ontario Life Asssurance Co. & a member of theM. c. for 40 y., d. Sep. 3, 1897 [abbreviated] [S220] Waterloo Region Hall of Fame Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. [S20] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Telegraph (title varies: Berlin Telegraph, Berlin Daily Telegraph) (1853-1922), 27 Dec 1861. "Bowman - Bowman: On the 18th inst., at the residence of the Bride's Parents, Elmira, Isaac E. Bowman, Esq., of St. Jacobs'. to Lydia, second daughter of Jacob W. Bowman, Esq."

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 17 Aug 1832 - St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Evangelist - 1851 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - teacher - 1857 - St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 12 Oct 1857 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1861 - St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 18 Dec 1861 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Farmer & Tanner - 1871 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Gentleman - 1891 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Methodist - 1891 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 3 Sep 1897 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region - Bef 2012 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth