Hon. John Bowiand.
Hon. John Bowiand, one of the
county's most influential citizens
died a.t his home at-Genoa Saturday
evening. He was stricken with par¬
alysis on Thanksgiving Day, but the
stroke was said to be a light one and
his host of friends thought that with
his strong physique he would be able
to throw off the effects of the stroke
and again resume his place la busi¬
ness in Genoa. But complications
were such that he was unable to ral¬
ly, and he passed peacefully away at
the home he loved so well, surround¬
ed by his family.
John Bowiand was a self-made
man. His father died about one
month before he was born, and lie
was forced to earn his own living,
and assist his mother when bu t a
mere lad. He was courageous and
went to work with a will and soon
earned the confidence of his home
p*eople and this afterward spread to
every person with, whom he became
acquainted.
He took a lively interest in poli¬
tics after he reached his majority,
and being a strong, vigorous yupn
man he was elected a constable. He
had a happy way of doing his duty
without offending and this led to��many other favors of a political nat¬
ure rroni his fellow men. He was a
guard in the Ohio Penitentiary for
two years. He served five terms as
mayor of Genoa. He was twice elec¬
ted Probate Judge of this county and
made such a splendid record that lat¬
er he was sent to the legislature
where he served two terms. He
made a successful member and while
he introduced few bills, he had great
influence in the committees where
the real legislation is enacted.
He was a gold medal veteran of
the I. 0. 0. F., lodge and was Im¬
mensely proud of the fact that he
had contributed much by example to
one of tho best fraternal orders ex¬
istent.
He was a member of the Church of
Christ in Genoa for over 50 years
and followed its teaching in his daily
life, always, "doing to others as he
wouldi wish them to do unto him."
He was twice married. On August
25, 1875, he was united in marriage
to Miss Mary Hyjje, and by this issue,
three children were born: Erret,
now cashier of the Genoa Bank, Ber
tha M., who is a bookkeeper-in the
same bank, and Walter, who is also a
resident of Genoa. His wife died in
1909.
In 1914 he was married to Mrs.
Anna Payden and they have lived
happily" amidst the happy surround¬
ings that loving children can bestow
upon loving parents.
John Bowiand probably had more
warm personal friends than any man
in this county. When He gave a
promise, that promise was kept and
he was equally firm when he said
"No." He always aimed to be just
and that fact was realized by all with
whom he came in contact. He made
a splendid friend.
The funeral was held Tuesday af¬
ternoon from the Church of Christ,
and notwithstanding the storm, the
church was filled with people who
came for miles to pay their last tri¬
bute of respect to one they knew so
