J. W. Bowman, merchant; Tippecanoe City; born in Frederickstown, Union Township, in 1845; is the son of James and Mary Bowman, he passed his boyhood and youth in his native place, doing work on the farm and in the store, and attending common school; he took a business course in the Toledo Commercial College, graduating in 1864; came to Tippecanoe in 1863 and managed a grocery under J. Bowman & Son, and in 1866, went into the dry goods business, under the firm style of Bowman, Wells and Co.; after several changes made in the firm, Mr. Bowman purchased the store in 1873, since when he has been operating it on his own responsibility; his large and increasing trade, with full stock of well-assorted goods, attests his skill and success in this business ; he is located in the " Morrison Block," where, in a large and spacious room, he displays the fullest stock of goods in the place, which he sells at lowest prices. He married, Nov. 27, 1866, Maggie M. Penny, of Monroe Township. Two sons, Frank P. and Ho ward E., have been the issue of this union.