"The subject of this memoir is a striking instance of that noblest of all spectacles, a poor and uninfluential young man, making his way in life and struggling for intellectual improvement. When men born to affluence, and aided by all the appliances of the best academical training, succeed in acquiring knowledge, become useful in their day and generation, and gain for themselves position, and succeed in having their names inscribed on the rolls of fame, we cannot withhold our admiration and a just tribute of praise. What shall we say then, when we behold a young man encumbered by all the impediments that adverse circumstances can interpose, by his energy and indomitable perseverance overcoming them all and becoming a conspicuous and shinging light, whose benign influence extends beyond his immediate neighborhood, and lasts long after his earthly career is terminated?

It has been well said, that where there are no examples of excellence there will be no efforts to attain it. In this instance we have a spirit who finds an ideal character of excellence in the fertile resources of his own mind, and faithfully and to considerable degree successfully struggles to realize this soul-born ideal of perfection. Truly he, in departing, left behind him

Of his early years little is known except that his mother, in his childhood, perceived that he was different from the rest of her children, and, as it is said, in view of the approach of her death, which occurred when he was still quite young, was much concerned for him, not knowing whether his peculiarities indicated mental vigor or imbecility.

As soon as he was sent to school, however, it became evident that he had a natural fondness for letters, and he soon made such progress that he far outstripped all his schoolmates.

English schools had no existence in those days in the neighborhood where young Bowman was born and raised. In his father's family, and in the whole neighborhood for many miles around, no other language than the Pennsylvania German was in use. He, however, assiduously applied himself to the study of the English language, and for this purpose procured the best dictionaries that he could obtain, and he soon gained considerable proficiency in the language.

After he had attended the schools in the neighborhood, and having nearly attained the years of manhood, he attended a school kept in the neighborhood of churchtown, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he had the opportunity of conversing in English, with both teachers and pupils.

Here he studied surveying, which he afterwards so extensively and successfully practiced for many years, and in which he attained, perhaps, to as much skill and habitual accuracy as any other surveyor in the State or elsewhere.

His clear head and logical mind were eminently fitted for practical geometry. His love of justice and equity, and his high character for honesty and uprightness of purpose, all combined to make him afterwards the most successful practical surveyor in the whole neighborhood for many miles around.

About this time his taste for general literature commenced to develop itself. From the time he had learned to read he contined to manifest a remarkable love for books and a taste for the beautiful. It is in regard to this feature of his character that we have the greatest reason to admire this, in many respects, extraordinary man. Surrounded by those who had no literary taste at all; the ignorant, the illiterate and the bigoted, he not only acquired a just taste for elegant literature, so that he enjoyed the best productions of art, and the creations of the beautiful, especially in poetry, but he also occasionally composed himself. His style was very nervous and clear; his points made with much clearness, force and precision.

In his library were found some of the best classical authors in the English language, and he never bought books for playthings or for show, but he used and studied them till their contents became almost a part of himself.

It was thus that he acquired an almost inexhaustible fund of illustrative anecdotes; and there was no one who knew how to apply them in conversation more opportunely and with finer effect than himself.

Among other authors he used to read and admire, was Pope's translation of the Iliad and Odyssey of Homer. Boswell's life of Dr. Johnson he also enjoyed very much, on account of the sterling character of the great moralist, though he heartily despised the sycophantic biographer. Among the German poets, he especially loved the witty and sarcastic Langbein, whose lively verses he enjoyed with exquisite delight. But he had a clear perception of the excellent and beautiful, and he admired and prized it wherever he found it in his extensive reading.

In 1815 he was married to Elizabeth Bauman, a distant relative, an estimable lady, and one who was possessed of considerable personal attractions. Of this marriage were born several children, only one of whom (a daughter, married to Mr. Isaac Sensenig), is living at this time. His wife survived him a few years.

From 1815 to 1820 he was, during the winter months, engaged in teaching school. During the rest of his time he followed surveying, scrivening, and sometimes ordinary labor. He never considered it beneath his dignity to perform, when necessary, any kind of honorable labor.

In teaching school he exercised a remarkable influence over his pupils. He acquired a wonderful reputation among his neighbors, on account of his great knowledge; for they gazed,

In 1820 he built the first house in the place, which was afterwards named after him, "Bowmansville." This place is situated in the valley of the Muddy Creek, in Brecknock township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, about four miles from Bowman's mill, the place of his birth.
The house he built was arranged for keeping a country store. Here he commenced the mercantile business immediately after the building was finished. His means were small, and he had, to a great extent, to begin his career upon borrowed capital. But such were his industry, economy and business qualifications, that he soon became a lender instead of a borrower. His well-known character for honesty and fair dealing, as well as his pleasing social qualities, attracted crowds of customers. His store was resorted to far and near; and it is very remarkable that this man, so different in his views, tastes and habits of thought from those by whom he was surrounded, should yet have maintained their friendship, confidence and esteem in an unusual degree. This fact alone proves the high moral qualities of the man, and his unexceptionable deportment towards all those with whom he came in contact.

In the meantime he also followed the business of a surveyor and conveyancer. He was soon appointed and commissioned a justice of the peace, in which office, however, he did not act, except to take acknowledgments of deeds and other legal instruments of writing, of which he prepared great numbers.

On the first day of April, which is the general moving and settlement day in Lancaster county, his store was the place where the business of the whole neighborhood was transacted. He had to perform not only the duties of a country merchant, but also those of a scrivener, banker and legal adviser. Indeed, his neighbors reposed so much confidence in him, that he was frequently consulted on general matters of private business, and his advice was considered so valuable that it was almost invariably followed.

In 1840 a post-office was established at his store, and was after named "Bowmansville," and he was appointed postmaster, which position he held for a number of years, and performed its duties to the general satisfaction of his neighbors.

He never held any other office except the two mentioned, justice of the peace and postmaster; and yet his influence was greater than those of many men who have held prominent positions in the gift of the people. He never could condescend to wallow in the mire of political scheming and corruption. His nature was honest and straightforward, and incapable of the mean actions and petty tricks of professional politicians.

From what has been said above, it is evident that his life was one of constant and unremitted labor, both of mind and body. Being rather corpulent, as he advanced in life his aversion to active out-door exercise increased, and the consequence was that his physical constitution suffered, and he was attacked with paralysis. His mental vigor also gradually declined, until he was forced to retire from active business. The transition from constant activity to the confinement of his room affected him unfavorably. His health continued to grow worse, until after a short confinement to his bed he died, January 19, 1857, at his home in Bowmansville, surrounded by his family, and mourned by a large number of friends and acquaintances.

It is very seldom that the death of a mere private citizen occasions so great a void in the community as did that of the subject of this sketch. His character was altogether pure and his morals irreproachable. His word was never doubted. his advice was doubly valuable, because it came from one whose wisdom, honesty and integrity of purpose were undoubted, quite above suspicion. To his unlettered neighbors his knowledge and general intelligence were matters of wonder. He stood so much head and shoulders above them all, that his attainments were by them supposed to be almost infinite, and his judgment infallible. But he was admired by others than his illiterate neighbors. Intelligent strangers were often surprised to find a man of his superior qualities in a locality where they had not supposed that they should meet with any save the plain and simple.

In his business habits, he was very careful and methodical. The deeds of conveyance and other instruments of writing he prepared, and the drafts of the numerous surveys he made, all attest the anxious care as well as consummate skill with which he performed his work. He had a laudable ambition to be esteemed a correct and competent business man; and all who knew him and had business transactions with him can bear testimony to the ability and honesty with which his affairs were conducted.

In his intercourse with his neighbors he was remarkably genial and social. He seemed to forget his superiority when he came in social contact with those around him, and in every respect identified himself with them.

As regard his religious views and opinions, it is difficult to faithfully portray them. The peculiar circumstances which surrounded him in his early youth, had undoubtedly much to do with his religious impressions. The religions of his parents and relatives was clothed in anything but an attractive garb. Dry dogmas, narrow, bigoted views, and unenlightened sectarian zeal, were elements as unattractive to his mind as could be well conceived. The natural consequence was, that every thing bearing the name and resemblance of religion, became odious to him. The active energies of his mind soon raised doubts as to the truth of a system whose aspect was so uninviting and whose spirit was so uncongenial to his more refined nature. And when parental love and solicitude for his spiritual welfare brought the strongest arguments they could command to bear upon him, they were so absurdly conceived or so awkwardly handled, that his clear head and subtle discrimination could not help but perceive their weakness and absurdity. The inevitable consequence unfortunately was, that he took for granted that these were the strongest arguments that could be advanced in support of the truth of the Christian system, and he became - a skeptic. In these doubts he became more confirmed by reading various authors, such as Volney and others; but such was his modesty and conscientious fear of injuriously affecting others, that he never openly gave utterance to his opinions.

These doubts cost him many sleepless nights, and they followed him more or less from his youth through middle life; and it was only after his sun had crossed the meridian and the lengthening shadows of the evening of life closed around him, that his mind rested in peace upon the truths of the gospiel as revealed in the Bible, and died in full faith and expectation of a glorious resurrection."