Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
In the year of 1836, when the entire country was practically a dense forest, and the only thoroughfares across the country, Indian trails, Judge John R. Bowdish, a native of Vermont, born January, 1803, with his family located on 160 acres of wild land in Stockbridge. A log house was rolled up and the clearing away of the forest began.
One important event in the life of Judge Bowdish was his marriage to Miss Emeline Dewey in New York state in 1826. Mrs. Bowdish was a native of Massachusetts, born February, 1810. Of this union were born nine children, of which our subject was the fourth in order of birth. Their order of birth and other data respecting them is given as follows: Maria, deceased; Fredinand, enlisted as a soldier in the 27th Michigan Vol. Infantry, and was mustered into service April 10, 1863. He followed the fortunes of his regiment, participating in nearly a score of battles, including Knoxville, Tenn., Siege of Vicksburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Springs, Petersburg, and was captured at the Battle of Reames Station, August 19, 1864. He was confined in the prison pen at Belle Isle, Libby, Salisbury, and Andersonville. No definite date is at hand as to the length of confinement in these places of torment and horror. It is sufficient, however, to know that when exchanged as a prisioner of war, he was so broken of health, that he was mustered out of service because of disability. He lingered for two years and died a martyr to the cause of civil liberty; Phoebe J., deceased; Wellington W.; Carlton; Corydon, was a member of the 7th Mich. Infantry, enlisting January, 1864, and participated in all engagements of the regiment to the Battle of the Wilderness, where he was mortally wounded and died a few days later; and a girl who died in infancy, and Fernando.
Lucius Bowdish was born in the Empire State, March 21, 1835. His early education was such as afforded by the district schools of that time.
When a lad of seventeen he began for himself as a month hand on the farm and continued at this occupation for nine years or until the breaking out of the Civil War. He enlisted August 15, 1861, in Co. B., 7th Mich. Infantry, under command of Capt. Philip McKernan. He followed the fortunes of this gallant command at the battles of Ball's Bluff, Yorktown, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Bull Run,, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Hay Market, Gettysburg, Falling Water, Brist's Station, Robertson's Tavern, Mine Run and the Wilderness, which is glory enough for any man.
The Seventh was known as one of the best fighting regiments of the Army of the Potomac, and at the last named engagement, our subject, one of the bravest of the command, sealed his devotion to country, leaving his strong right arm on the field of battle. For over forty years an empty sleeve has been a constant reminder of that awful struggle. He was mustered out of service Aug. 30, 1864, by reason of disability.
Mr. Bowdish upon his return to civil life again resumed the occupation of farming. Nov. 24, 1864 was united in marriage to Mary J., daughter of William Presley, who was a highly respected citizen and pioneer of the township and came from England to the United States in 1835. Her mother, whose name was Martha Lowe, was born in Ulster Co., N. Y. They were united in marriage at Dexter, Washtenaw Co., in 1837. The father died in 1865; the mother lived to a ripe old age, passing away in 1898, aged ninety-three years.
In addition to carrying on his farm operations was a loyal Methodist preacher, and in the early days labored during the week, while his Sabbaths were devoted to preaching the gospel in the country school houses.
Mrs. Bowdish was third of five children born to her parents, names respectively; Jane, deceased; Richard was a member of the 9th Mich. Infantry, he died at West Point, Ky., Feb. 9, 1862; John, did valiant service for his country as a member of the 7th Mich. Infantry, enlisting Jan. 2, 1862. He participated in all engagements in which his regiment fought; the Battle of the Wilderness being the first engagement, including the Siege of Petersburg, when he was stricken by disease and taken to a hospital in a tent under a tree near the James river, where he had the strange misfortune to be killed by a stroke of lightning, Aug. 17, 1864. Mrs. Bowdish's father was twice married, his first wife bore him three children, all of whom are deceased.
To our subject and wife have been born six children, data given respecting them is as follows: Emeline, born 1866, the wife of August Lisman, they reside in Livingston Co., Mich., and have one child, Truman; Clare, born in 1896; Martha A., born in 1869, wife of Geo. R. Cooper, resides in Ann Arbor, Mich; Leonard C., born in 1871, was united in marriage to Anna Grosvenor in 1893. She died in 1898. For his second wife, Leonard C. married Bertha Galagher, they lived in Kansas; Inez M., born in 1874, teaching; Mary G., born in 1876, teaching; Clara M., born in 1882, died 1886.
In the year 1869 Mr. Bowdish settled on the farm where he now resided, about one mile south of the village of Stockbridge. His first purchase was forty acres, with but a small . . . and no buildings. Mr. Bowdish, though handicapped by the loss of his arm, has by perseverance and energy cleared the land, erected the buildings and added to his possession until he owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
Politically he has always been an ardent supporter of the party that stood by the administration during the dark days of the rebellion, a Lincoln Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Bowdish have for many years been actively interesetd in every good work tending to the betterment of society. The affiliated with the M. E. church.
Mr. Bowdish's father received his title of "Judge" from his service at an early date, when two associates were chosen to occupy seats beside the Judge during court sessions. He was man of strong character, good judgement and highly respected by his neighbors.
Both the Bowdish and the Presely families were among those whose influence made the country what it is today.
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Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
 Sondra Higbee
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