Notes for George A. Bowdish

Notes for George A. Bowdish

!US Census 1860 (17 July) Pennsylvania, Venango Co., Cornplanter Township, Roll M653_1189, Sheet 74/75, Page 150A/B, House No. 556, Lines 39-40/1-2: Joseph Bowditch (b. 1825 - 35 - in NY - Occ: Oil Miner). ALSO LISTED are: George Bowditch (brother b. 1830 - 30 - in NY) married to Mary J. (sister-in-law b. 1835 - 25 - in PA) with child listed as: Albert (nephew b. 1857 - 3 - in PA)

!US Census 1870 (4 August) Pennsylvania, Jefferson Co., Snyder Township, Roll number 1352, page 201B, lines 7-10: George Bowdish (b. 1830 - 40 - in NY - Occ: Cabinet Maker - Personal Property Value $2500 + $1000) married to Mary J. (b. 1835 - 35 - in PA). Children listed (born in PA) are: Albert (son b. 1858 - 12); and Allice (dau b. 1861 - 9)

!US Census 1880 (3-4 June) Michigan, Grand Traverse, Mayfield, FHL Film 1254578; Roll T9_578; SD 2 ED 87, Sheet 3, Page 509C, House No. 21, Lines 16-19: George BOWDISH (b. 1831 - 49 - in NY - Occ: Cabinet Maker - Fa: VT and Mo: NY) married to Mary J. BOWDISH (b. 1835 - 45 - in PA - Fa: PA and Mo: PA). Children listed (born in PA) are: Allice M. BOWDISH (Dau b. 1861 -19); Evorenna N. BOWDISH (Dau b. 1875 - 5)

!Karen Bowdish: George settled in Jefferson Co., PA with his father as a boy of about 10 years when they arrived here. He was a veritable mechanical genius, trained to the trade of cabinetmaker, but able to do any kind of skilled work. He followed millwrighting, building several mills in the area. After living various places across the country, he and Mary Jane settled in Brockway, Jefferson Co., PA in 1883. They were active in the community. The following article dated 8 Jan 1887, appeared in the Brockway Record: Mrs. G.A. BOWDISH presented to the Knights of Pythias for their supper, a large three story cake emblematical of the degrees of ranks of the order, surmounted by the typical goat, and in her generosity, she also sent a duplicate to the Record. On reaching the office Tuesday morning, the young men who conduct this mammoth intellectual paper didn't monkey with the goat part, but proceeded with the first rank of the cake. About thirty minutes later, the same candidates followed with the second rank; and the fragments were not cleared up until dispensation was granted for the third. Later on, they concluded that they progressed too fast. Many thanks to the donor. In another section of the same paper: Mr. G.A. BOWDISH was elected prelate of the Knights of Pythias. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. as well as the Knights of Pythias. He designed the plans for the Lanes Mills Church near Brockway, PA. It still stands today. He served in the Civil War, enlisting in 19 April 1861, he entered as a drummer and was made Drum Major of Co. I, 105th Regiment, PA. Volunteers. Upon his discharge 29 July 1861 he became a recruiting officer.

He died of a Spinal infection; Mary Jane had suffered almost 19 years from a stomach tumor. She had continuous treatments and the main cause of her death was aggravated stomach trouble and nervous prostration resulting from the tumor. He and Mary Jane are buried at Wildwood Cemetery, Brockway, Jefferson Co., PA