Frank Marion Bowling, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Bowling, was born eight miles east of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, TN, 23 September 1847. His early life was spent working on the farm and caring for his disabled father. He entered Union University at Murfreesboro in January 1868, after deciding that teaching would be his chosen profession and received a degree of A.M. in 1873.

On 26 August 1874 he married Susan E Sanders, daughter of Jesse B and Mary A Sanders, near Murfreesboro. To this union four children: Herbert Manly Bowling, born 9 July 1875; Edna Frank Bowling, born 29 June 1877; Mary Myrtle Bowling, born 23 May 1882; and Cecil Grady Bowling, born 5 November 1889.

Professor Bowling, as he was affectionately known, was a teacher and a deeply religious man. He was involved with church and Sunday School work since early manhood. He served as school principal in Leesville, Martsville, Unionville and as joint principal of Milan College, Milan, TN. He returned to Rutherford County where he was principal of Lascassass, Christiana, Eagleville High Schools.

Professor Bowling came to the Rockvale Community in 1910 and was instrumental in building the Rockvale High School located on the present site and served as its first principal. He had petitioned the Rutherford County Board for the position of School Superintendent at the time of his death 17 September 1714. His wife, Susan, continued to live in the Rockvale Community until her death 2 May 1931.

Cecil Grady Bowling, the youngest son, married Annie E Seat on 17 October 1912, and they had only one son, Herbert Manuel Bowling, born 17 August 1912. Cecil was a teacher and carpenter. He assisted his father in building a house in the Rockvale community in 1911. It was to this house that Cecil took his bride and they lived there together until his death 24 March 1956, at age 66. Annie S Bowling continued to live there until her death in October 1972.

Cecil was Postmaster of the Rockvale Post Office for 35 years. He also ran a grocery store assisted by his wife, succeeding H.J. (Cap) Nance in 1926. The lower floor of the site of the present Post Office building was divided into three portions: one was designated for postal business only; one section was for the grocery business; and, the third portion was his woodworking shop. He made numerous pieces of furniture and was often contracted to build ice boxes. He was well known also for his cedar chests. Cecil was a member of the Rockvale Masonic Lodge and Annie was a member of the Eastern Star as well as postal clerk for many years.

Herbert Manuel Bowling attended school at Rockvale High School until 1932, at which time he moved to Nashville, TN to reside with his aunt. Herbert married Margaret Ruth Williams 22 September 1937 and returned to the Rockvale Community. They have four children: Shirley Ann Bowling, born 5 September 1938, married Gayle Powers Hayes; Norma Jean Bowling, born 21 March 1941, married Charles Aaron Lewter; Herbert Bowling Jr., born 7 July 1941, married Cathey Taylor and later married Pat Fries; and Frank Miles Bowling, born 1 September 1950, married Judy Marie Leathers. All four children have families of their own and two of them still reside in the Rockvale area.

Herbert and all children asttended Rockvale Highvale High School, the school started by their great-grandfather, F.M. Bowling.