Henry C. Bowman, a farmer and dairyman residing on Section 35, Flint River Township, was born in Lebanon County, PA, October 1, 1843, and is a son of Joseph and Fannie (Garman) Bowman, both of whom were also natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in Lebanon County in July 1887, at the age of eighty-two years. He was one of the leading citizens of the county and served as its Sheriff for many years. The mother is still a resident of her native county.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the commons schools of Lebanon County and then followed the shoemaking trade until the age of seventeen years, when he enlisted in Company A, 93d Pennsylvania Infantry, in October [sic, September], 1861, for three years. . . .

The term of service having expired the regiment re-enlisted at Harper’s Ferry in February, 1864, serving until the close of the war. . . . on the 25th of March, 1865, received a shell wound in the right thigh. . . . was then discharged in July, 1865.

Returning to Lebanon County, Pa. during that fall Mr. Bowman went into the oil regions and followed teaming until the spring of 1866, when having decided to come West, he took up his residence in Des Moines County, renting a farm for a year. Selling his crops he went to Kansas City, where he remained for one year engaged in freighting from that city to Ft. Scott. The following year he came once more to Burlington (Des Moines County, Iowa), and in 1869 he returned to Kansas City in order to sell a lot of horses which he had purchased. Disposing of his stock he again returned in the fall and began working for his uncle, Charles M. Garman, buying horses which he drove to Kansas to sell.

On the 24th of November, 1872, Mr. Bowman was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Sperber who was born in Des Moines County, May 1, 1850, and is a daughter of John and Margaret (Issinger) Sperber, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Sperber were among the very earliest pioneers of Des Moines County, becoming residents when there was but one little log cabin on the site where the now populous city of Burlington stands. . . . Shortly after his marriage Mr. Bowman went to work for Iowa Smith, and in 1873 purchased the Hupp dairy, which was situated where the railroad shops now stand. In 1877 he removed to the Pearce farm, and in the year 1881 purchased a tract of eighty-four acres of land on section 35, Flint River Township where he still continues to reside. On this land he started the H. C. Bowman dairy. He has forty-four head of fine grade Holstein cows, probably the largest stock in Des Moines County, and there also may be found an excellent grade of Hambletonian horses. Mr. Bowman is a lover of fine stock, and his farm is one of the best in the county. Socially, he is a member of the I.O.O.F. and G.A.R., while politically, he is a Republican.1

1 Des Moines County Biographies, Rev. 1888, 587-588.

HENRY BOWMAN, VETERAN HORSEMAN, DIES SUDDENLY

Driver of the Old Days, Ever a Familiar Figure on the Tracks or in the Judges Stand of Des Moines County Race Meets

When the starting judge “gives the word” at the Tri-State fair races next August, it will be the first time in the history of horse racing in Des Moines County that Henry Bowman has not been in the seat of a sulky or in the judges’ stand, thrilled with the zest of the sport.

For years this veteran of the tracks raced horses or watched horses race in or near Burlington; a true lover of horses and a friend of horsemen.

But the book of his life was closed yesterday when he died at his home on the Agency Road, four miles west of Burlington, in Flint River Township.

Nearly eighty years old, Henry Bowman was perhaps the oldest and best known race horse man in this part of the country. In the old days, he and John Berry had training stables at the old fair grounds, “Billy Sandle,” with a record of 2:14 ½, was one of his best known horses, and his trotter, “Pneumatic,” is remembered by race horse followers.

Although his declining years forced him to relinquish his activity, his interest in horse racing never waned, and ever since the Tri-State fair was instituted he had a place in the judge’s stand.

The last time he raced was last Fourth of July, when he drove Delbert Murray’s Edna, sired by his own Billy Sandle, in a road race and finished in the money.

A week ago Mr. Bowman’s knee was injured but he was apparently on the road to recovery when the end came suddenly yesterday due to heart trouble.

He was born in Pennsylvania, October 1, 1843, and at the age of 17 years enlisted in the Civil War. He was wounded twice in battle. At the close of the war he came to Iowa where he made his home for the last fifty years.

He leaves two children . . .one sister . . . and four brothers, one in California, and three in Pennsylvania. There are also eleven grandchildren. His wife and four children preceded him in death. He was a member of the G. A. R.2

Some Of The Best Horse Flesh In The Country Was Around Here in Days Of Old . . .

C. M. Garman [uncle of H.C. Bowman] was the owner of ten Egmonts. He had several other good ones and six standard brood mares. Was also a farmer and “lover of a stepper”.

H. C. Bowman, who drove his famous Billy Sample [sic, Sandle] on many tracks, was likewise a farmer. He had a good string of animals, including L. E. M. Pneumatic, Kate Medium Junebug, Fanny B. Mat Snip.3

Henry C. Bowman is buried in his family’s plot in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa.

2 "The Burlington Hawkeye", June 10, 1923, 1.

3 "The Burlington Hawkeye", August 20, 1943, page not known.

Images and Bio provided by:William Busby
Thank you William...