Arthur R. Bowen is well known in theatrical circles, especially in western Wyoming, where for a number of years he has heen identified with the Wyoming and Strand theatres, the latter a new venture which in architectural construction and equipment is equal to any theatre to be found in this section of the country. In the conduct of his places of amusement Mr. Bowen has displayed the most enterprising spirit and has kept in touch with the trend of progressiveness along that line.
    Mr. Bowen is a native of Bloomington. Illinois. He was born May 19, 1885, of the marriage of Charles Harvey and Emma (Williams) Bowen, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Ohio. In early life they removed westward to Illinois and were married in Bloomington, where the father engaged in business in connection with the tailor's trade. Later he removed to Gallipolis, Ohio, and subsequently took up his abode at Oxford, Ohio, where he passed away in 1893, when but thirty-eight years of age. His widow survives and is now a resident of Seattle, Washington. They had a family of five children: Harvey, who resides in Middleport, Ohio; Harry, living in Seattle; Mrs. Clara Fultz, the wife of F. P. Fultz, of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Beatrice Lyons, the wife of Earl Lyons, of Boomer, West Virginia; and Arthur R., who was the third in order of birth.
    In his boyhood days Arthur R. Bowen was a pupil in the schools of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and after leaving the high school secured a position as call boy with the Kanawha & Michigan Railroad. He worked up in that connection for several years and at length secured a position with the Union Pacific Railway Company. In the meantime he took up the study of telegraphy and as an operator came to Evanston, Wyoming, in 1907, in the employ of the Union Pacific Railway Company. He continued in the work in Evanston for three years or until 1910, but prior to resigning his position he had assumed the management of a moving picture theatre, to which he gave his attention during the evenings, while in the daytime he concentrated his efforts upon telegraph service. He afterward bought out a moving picture theatre, incurring a heavy indebtedness to do this. He borrowed money from a bank and was in other ways under financial obligations. He put forth every effort to meet these and at times went with only one meal per day in order to lower his expenses. It can well be imagined that he did not frequently renew his stock of clothing and that period was indeed one of "lean years." In time, however, he became known and had three theatres in successful operation. He then induced the Masonic fraternity to erect a suitable theatre building and from that point his success has steadily increased. Through the intervening period he has made money rapidly. For a considerable period one of the popular amusement enterprises of Wyoming was known as the Wyoming theatre of Evanston, in which he catered to the better class of patrons and conducted a high-class amusement house, producing the best films that have been brought forth by the leading companies of the country. In 1917 he began the erection of the Strand theatre which opened December 17, 1917. It was built and equipped at a cost of fifty thousand dollars and is one of the most attractive and modern theatres to be found anywhere in the west. The architect was Frank W. Moore, of Salt Lake City, who is an expert in theatre building and who has combined in the Strand all of the latest conveniences and attractive designs known to the theatrical world. The Strand has a seating capacity of eight hundred, including main floor and balcony, with orchestra space and a large, commodious stage with ample dressing rooms for the use of traveling companies. The efforts and early experience of Mr. Bowen combine to enable him to produce something worth while. His laudable ambition has thus come to its fruition and Evanston is profiting thereby.
    On the 6th of June, 1905, Mr. Bowen was united in marriage to Miss Alice Cashin, a daughter of Mrs. Ellen Cashin, widely and prominently known in Evanston and this section of the state. They occupy an enviable position in social circles. Fraternallv Mr. Bowen is a Mason of high rank, being a member of the Mystic Shrine. He has served on the city council and is interested in all that has to do with the welfare and progress of the city in which he makes his home. His is a record of notable achievement, for he came to Wyoming with only seven dollars in his pocket and within a comparatively few years he has worked his way steadily upward, his life record being one which should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when there is ambition to succeed coupled with indefatigable energy and persistency of purpose. As a theatrical man Mr. Bowen has closely studied public wishes and demands and has put forth every effort not only to meet the public taste but to improve it by the production of high-class attractions, and his labors in this direction have been fruitful of good results.