JOSEPH WARREN BOWMAN, who has long been classed among the foremost citizens and business men of Tippecanoe City, is secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Dye Fruit Company, a thriving and successful concern which operates on an extensive scale. He has been a promoter of and closely identified with many interests which have had an important bearing on the material welfare and advancement of the community. Mr. Bowman was born in Fredericktown, Miami County, Ohio, March 6, 1845, and comes of one of the pioneer families of the county.

Joseph Bowman, father of the subject of this sketch, was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1801, and was about nine years of age, when, in 1810, his father, Jacob Bowman, moved with his family to near Springfield, Ohio. Jacob died soon after his removal to Ohio, and Joseph went to live with an uncle, Thomas Bowman, in Montgomery County, Ohio. At the age of sixteen years he borrowed $2.50, with which he purchased a basket and a small stock of goods, and by peddling through the country was able to make and accumulate a little money. Then for several years he engaged in the Indian trade. It was his custom to purchase goods in Cincinnati and have them hauled to the headwaters of the Mississinewa River; there he would unload on the bank of the river, cut down a tree and dig out a Canoe, into which he placed his goods. He floated down that stream to the Wabash, thence, to the Ohio River, there being many Indian villages and but one white man along his route. He traded with the Indians for furs and arriving at the Ohio River, made his way up that stream to Cincinnati. There disposed of his furs and laid in a stock of goods for another trip. Thus he traded with the Miami and Pottawatomie tribes for four or five years, and some time between 1820 and 1822 he started a small store in Fredericktown, Miami County. He was in business there continuously for nearly half a century and became a man of prominence and affluence, owning at one time seven or eight farms besides having varied business interests. He was possessed of a pleasing personality and was immensely popular with his many acquaintances throughout the county. His death occurred in 1871, at the age of seventy years. He was united in marriage with Mary Sheets, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1808, and died in Fredericktown at the age of seventy-six years. The following children were born to them: Caroline, who was the wife of Aaron Furnace, and died in Monroe Township, Miami County, at the age of forty years; Ann, who was the wife of Robert Furnace and also died in Monroe Township, at the age of forty years; Eliza Jane, who was the wife of Henry Neal and died in Monroe Township, aged sixty-nine years; Oliver Perry, who died in Toledo, Ohio, at the age of sixty-five years; Mary Ellen, widow of A. B.Carey of Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio; Joseph Warren, subject of this sketch; Daniel Webster, who died in Toledo, Ohio, at the age of fifty-nine years; Ellwood, who died at three years; and Reed, who was seven years old at the time of his death. Oliver Perry Bowman, who for more than twenty years was engaged in the real estate business at Toledo, was married to Martha Jane Gray of Warren County, Ohio. Daniel Webster Bowman was for many years in partnership with his father at Fredericktown, but later was a Manufacturer in the city of Toledo. He was married to Miss Isabella Turner.

Joseph Warren Bowman attended the public schools of Fredericktown, and later commercial school at Toledo. He then sold hardware for his father and brother until 1866 when he became a member of the firm of Bowman, Wells and Company at Tippecanoe City, dealing in dry goods and boots and shoes. At the end of a year he purchased the interest of Mr. Wells and the firm became J. W.& O. P. Bowman, continuing as such for two years, when J. W. Bowman purchased his brother's interest. It was then conducted under the name of J. W. Bowman, and later, for three years under the name of Bowman and Lindley. Mr. Bowman purchased the interest of his partner and it was successively operated under the name of J. W. Bowman and Bowman & Davis until 1898, when the subject of this record sold out to Samuel Smith. He has since that time been identified with the Dye Fruit Company, of which he is now secretary, treasurer and general manager. They have 160 acres devoted to the growing of fruits, having about 28,000 trees, principally cherries, peaches and plums. Mr. Bowman also owns, individually, a farm of 130 acres in Monroe Township. He is president and stockholder of the Tipp Whip Company; was formerly interested in the glucose plant and was one of the organizers of the Strawboard Works. He also was one of the organizers of the Tippecanoe City National Bank, of which he has been a director since its inception. He has a fine home which he built in Tippecanoe City, located on West Main Street.

In 1866 Mr. Bowman was united in marriage with Miss Maggie M. Perry, a daughter of Nathan and Isabella Perry of Darke County, Ohio, and the following were the issue of their union: Frank Perry, who died at the age of fourteen years; Howard E., an insurance man, who died in March, 1907, at the age of thirty-four years; Stella W., wife of E. L. Crane, who is vice-president and assistant cashier of the Tippecanoe City National Bank; and Bessie M., who is living at home. Howard E. Bowman was married to Miss Eva Munger of Piqua, and is survived by his wife and one child, Enona Gene, the latter being four years old.

Joseph W. Bowman is an enthusiastic Republican, and has always been active in the support of the principles of that party. Fraternally, he is a member of Blue Lodge No. 74, F.& A.M., at Tippecanoe City.