J. C. BOWMAN. Among the native sons of Carrollton, whose intense and well directed activity have made them forceful factors in community affairs is J. C. Bowman, who is now serving as alderman of the city and who for two terms was judge of Greene county. In the practice of law his abilities have found recognition in a large clientage and he is now numbered among the leading members of the Carrollton bar.
Born in this city, May 18, 1856, he is a son of Dr. Alexander and Elizabeth D. (Johnston) Bowman, the former a native of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Vandalia, Illinois. The father has devoted his life to the practice of medicine and, coming to Greene county in 1851, was for eleven years a physician and surgeon of Carrollton. He is now living in White Hall at the advanced age of eighty-seven years and is now retired from professional duties, but for many years his labors proved of marked value to his fellowmen.
Judge Bowman, the third child and eldest son in a family of three sons and three daughters, was reared in White Hall and when he had mastered the branches of learning which constitute the curriculum of its public schools, he entered Shurtleff College at Upper Alton, Illinois. His literary education being completed, he matriculated in the law department of the Missouri State University, at Columbia, Missouri, and completed the full course by graduation in the spring of 1884. Having thus qualified for practice he returned to White Hall and opened an office. His success came soon because his equipment was good and because he soon demonstrated the fact that careful preparation of cases and devotion to his clients' interests entitled him to the public patronage. In 1885 he was elected city attorney and served for six years, his service giving uniform satisfaction to all law-abiding citizens. His elevation to the bench came in 1890, being elected on the Democratic ticket for a term of four years. He was then re-elected and removed to Carrollton. His decisions were models of judicial soundness and free from all personal bias, and the bar unite in bearing testimony to his capability and marked fidelity to duty. Not becoming a candidate for re-election on the expiration of his second term he retired from office and has since given his attention to the private practice of law, wherein he has won gratifying success. Many important litigated interests have been entrusted to him and he has won many verdicts favorable to his clients.
On the 16th of May, 1886, Judge Bowman was married to Miss Mattie Cooper, who was born in Wrights township, Greene county, and is a daughter of W. T. Cooper, whose birth occurred in Kentucky. Her grandfather, was Judge E. L. Cooper, one of the distinguished early settlers of the county, whose life record forms a part of the historic annals of this section of the state. The children of Judge and Mrs. Bowman are Mark C. and Edmond L. The former is a graduate of the high school at Carrollton, Illinois, and is the appointee to the Annapolis Naval Academy, having been appointed through Congressman Ramey.
Judge Bowman belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He was elected alderman from the second ward and takes an active interest in matters political, being known as one of the influential supporters of his party in the county. His record, political, professional and social, commend him to the respect and good will of his fellowmen and he is one of the representative citizens of the county of his nativity.
Transcribed by: Carole Ann Heller