Jane Dunbar

Jane married Jacob D. Shoemaker on 18 Nov 1823. Jacob (son of George Shoemaker and Mary Detweiler) was born on 24 Nov 1799 in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; died on 5 Mar 1902 in near Berlin, Waterloo County, Ontario; was buried in First Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Mary Ann Shoemaker, "was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, November 7th, 1824. She came to Canada when in her fifth year. She has left one heir, Reuben Bowman who was born August 3rd, 1852, and is married to Louisa Geiger. They reside in Berlin, Ontario. She died July 28th, 1876."

Family/Spouse: Joesph C. Bowman. Joesph (son of Elias B. Baumann / Bowman and Maria "Polly" Clemens) was born on 12 Jan 1830 in near Breslau, Ontario; died on 16 Jun 1905 in Caledonia, Kent County, Michigan; was buried in near the United Brethen Church, Caledonia, Kent County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Elizabeth Shoemaker, "was born October 12th, 1828, and died April 4th, 1854. She was married to John Schiedel February 27th, 1853, and had one child named Mary Ann who was born March 13th, 1854, and died at her grandfather Shoemaker's place, August 5th, 1860."

Elizabeth married John Schiedel on 27 Feb 1853. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Martha Shoemaker, "was born June 9th, 1831. She was married to Henry McKay, April 9th, 1855. They reside in Aldborough Township, Elgin County, where he is engaged in farming. They had a family of nine children, of whom one is dead.

Martha married Henry McKay on 9 Apr 1855. Henry was born on 29 May 1833. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

George D. Shoemaker, "was born February 11th, 1834. On March 15th, 1857, he was married to Magdalena Snyder. They reside in Woolwich Township, along the Pilkington line, where they possess a large farm. Here they raised a family of eight children.

George married Magdalena Snyder on 15 Mar 1857. Magdalena (daughter of Benjamin Snyder and Catharine Saltzberger) was born on 1 Feb 1836; died in Dec 1922. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Alexander Shoemaker, "was born February 21st, 1836. On October 13th, 1861, he was married to Susannah Weber. Soon after his marriage they moved home on his father's farm where he has been a successful farmer ever since. He has held the office of school trustee and councillor for several years.

Alexander married Susannah Weber on 13 Oct 1861. Susannah (daughter of David B. Weber and Mary (Polly) Lyons) was born on 2 Feb 1840 in Ontario; died on 14 Dec 1921; was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Naomi Shoemaker, "was born June 2nd, 1838. On April 12th, 1857, she was married to Joseph B. Snyder. They reside on a large farm situated in Woolwich Township, a little south of Winterbourne, They have a family of five children.

Naomi married Joseph B. Snyder on 12 Apr 1857. Joseph (son of Jacob Snyder and Magdalena W. Baumann) was born on 2 Dec 1833. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Magdalena Shoemaker, "was born January 16th, 1844. On August 13th, 1867, she was married to George Israel. They reside on the old "Henry Woods Farm" near Williamsburg. Their family consists of seven children, of whom one is dead."

Magdelena married George Israel on 25 Aug 1868 in By Rev. Wurster. George (son of George Israel) was born about 1842 in Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario; died after 1895. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book.

Reuben S. Bowman, "was born near Berlin, August 3rd, 1852. He is a contractor and builder, and has so far proved himself to be a man of more than ordinary business talent. He is considered one of the most successful contractors of the town of Berlin. On December 30th, 1879, he married Louisa, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hollinger) Geiger. She was born in Berlin. Their family consists of eight children.



Source: "Reuben Bowman, His Family" by Fred Bowman 1948

REUBEN BOWMAN was born near Berlin (now Kitchener) Ontario, on August 3rd 1852, the son of Joseph C. Bowman and Mary Ann Shoemaker. He spent his boyhood days on the farm of Jacob D. Shoemaker, his maternal grandfather, about two miles southwest of Berlin. Here, under the guidance of this deeply religious, industrious and simple-living Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite family, were instilled in him those qualities of honesty, diligence and fair dealing which continued a part of his character throughout his life. As a boy, he attended school at Natchez near Doon. For a time he lived with his Uncle George Shoemaker in Woolwich Township where he also attended school. Mr. Solomon Kaufman, a school trustee in Woolwich Township at the time, stated that Reuben was a very attentive and industrious student. Among his teachers were Mr. McIntyre and Mr. Samuel Moyer who afterwards moved to Berlin. When about eighteen years of age he moved to Berlin and worked for a time at the Kaufman Planing Mill, where he acquired that skill as a craftsman in woodworking, which he so successfully applied in the construction of many buildings in the town. About 1872 he went to Red River in Manitoba where he was employed in building settlers’ cabins. During the 1870’s, after returning to Berlin, he went into partnership with Mr. Peter Itter in the operation of a sawmill in Hespeler but as the venture proved a financial failure, the partnership was dissolved after having been in operation for only a few years. In 1880 he went into partnership with Mr. Benjamin Hallman as building contractors, their first and chief contract being the Grand Central Hotel, now the Kitchener Hotel at 101 King St. East. The partnership was dissolved in 1889, after which he carried on a contracting business of his own. He confined his work largely to the carpenter trade and during the following thirty years he handled the carpenter work of such outstanding structures as The First Church of Christ, Scientist at the corner of Water and Francis Streets, the home of the Misses Glick at the corner of Queen and Church Streets, Edward Smyth’s home at the corner of Duke and Young Streets, Robert Smyth’s home at 233 Queen St. North, The Agnes St. School and many others.

Reuben and Louisa (Geiger) Bowman had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. First, by coincidence, and afterwards by intent, the names of the children follow down through the alphabet from Allen to Ivan. The youngest Ivan, has continued the custom in naming his children with names beginning with J. K. and L.

It is interesting to note that all of the children of Reuben and Louisa Bowman, who have daughters, have named one of them Louise, after the grand-mother. The grandchildren are now also largely following this practice.

A unique family institution is the so-called Bowman chain letter. This letter was started on its rounds I 1917 at the time when two of the brothers were serving in the army in France. It consists of letters from each member of the family, addressed to all, and may include newspaper clippings or photographs, old or new, or any other matter which may be of interest to the family as a whole. It travels to each member of the family in a fixed sequence, each one removing his or her previous contribution and replacing with new material before sending it on its way. The letter is now in its thirtieth year of travel and shows no sign of losing its interest or popularity.




Reuben was raised by his mother and maternal grandfather at the Shoemaker farm on Greenbrook Drive in Kitchener.

Reuben married Louisa H. Geiger on 30 Dec 1879 in Berlin, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. Louisa (daughter of Joseph "Jacob" Geiger and Elisabetha T. Hollinger) was born on 17 Oct 1852 in Berlin, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario; was christened on 12 Nov 1852 in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Berlin, Ontario; died on 08 Feb 1937 in Kitchener, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Jacob McKay, "was born January 30th, 1856. He is unmarried and resides at home with his parents."

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Jane McKay, "was born February 20th, 1858. She was married to George Nash, May 25th, 1885. They have one daughter named Catharine. They reside in Mosa Township, Middlesex County, Ontario."

Jane married George Nash on 25 May 1885. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Hannah McKay, "was born July 1st, 1860. She was married to John Hillman, September 2nd, 1879. They have a family of five children.

Hannah married John Hillman on 2 Sep 1879. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Josiah McKay, "was born September 29th, 1862. On December 30th, 1885, he was married to Libbie Pool. Their family consists of six children.

Josiah married Libbie Pool on 30 Dec 1885. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Martha McKay, "was born September 30th, 1865. She is married to Charles LeFevre, March 27, 1887. They have no family."

Martha married Charles LeFevre on 27 Mar 1887. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Lovina McKay, "was born August 8th, 1867. She was married to James Lindsay, March 17th, 1891. They have a son named George Henry."

Lovina married James Lindsay on 17 Mar 1891. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married William Brendley on 21 Apr 1891. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ezra Eby Book

Henry McKay, "was born February 21st, 1874. He is at home with his father whom he assists in working the large farm."

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Benjamin S. Shoemaker, "was born December 4th, 1857. On November 2nd, 1879, he was married to Lydia Brocks. He resides on a farm in Pilkington Township, Wellington County, adjoining Woolwich Township. Their family consists of seven children.

Benjamin married Lydia Brox on 2 Nov 1879. Lydia (daughter of Jacob Brox and Catharine Zeigler) was born on 21 Jul 1856 in Woolwich Township, Ontario; died on 17 Jan 1933 in 45 Queen Street, Elmira, Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ontario; was buried on 20 Jan 1933 in Elmira, Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Jacob S. Shoemaker, "was born June 15th, 1859. He was married to Barbara Wideman, March 5th, 1882. They reside in Pilkington Township, near the Grand River.

Jacob married Barbara Wideman on 5 Mar 1882 in Elmira, Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. Barbara (daughter of John Wideman and Susannah Brand) was born in Jun 1858. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Joseph Shoemaker, "was born February 17th, 1862. He was married to Eliza Burkhard, March 14th, 1886. They reside in Pilkington Township and have a family of one son named Israel."

Joseph married Eliza Burkhard on 14 Mar 1886. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Jane Shoemaker, "was born June 30th, 1865. She is not married."

Noah married Sarah Burkhard on 1 Feb 1891. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Ephraim Shoemaker, "was born April 7th, 1869. On November 29th, 1892, he was married to Veronica Wideman. They reside in Pilkington Township, Wellington County."

Ephraim married Veronica Wideman on 29 Nov 1892. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Catharine Shoemaker, "was born December 10th, 1871. She is not married."

Catharine married Elias Brubacher on 4 Sep 1904 in Woolwich, Ontario. Elias (son of Michael P. Brubacher and Veronica Martn) was born about 1870 in Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Ezra Eby Book

Rachel Shoemaker, "was born October 20th, 1873. She is unmarried."

Family/Spouse: Elias Weber Bingeman Snider. Elias (son of Elias Snider and Hannah Bingeman) was born on 19 Jun 1842; died in 1921; was buried in Calvary United Cemetery, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Josiah married Martha Kinzinger on 21 Oct 1896 in St. Jacob's, Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. Martha (daughter of Joseph Kinzinger and Susannah Brand) was born in 1867 in St. Jacob's, Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ontario; died on 20 Dec 1899 in Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario; was buried in First Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Josiah married Rachel Snider in 1911. Rachel was born in Jul 1863 in Ontario; died in 1940. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Louisa married Orphen A. Latsch on 15 Mar 1899 in Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. Orphen (son of George Latsch and Catherine Sauder) was born about 1876 in Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Melinda married Charles E. Sipes on 2 Mar 1892 in Residence of the bride, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. Charles (son of Charles Sipes and Dorothea) was born about 1867 in Wilmot Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elma A. Hillgartner. Elma (daughter of John Hillgartner and Maria Reiber) was born in Feb 1882 in Ontario; died in 1945; was buried in First Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edith married Albert C. Quickfall on 27 May 1902 in Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. Albert (son of Richard M. Quickfall and Leah Groff) was born on 17 Jan 1878 in Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario; died on 15 Nov 1926; was buried in First Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Source: "Reuben Bowman, His Family" by Fred Bowman 1948

ALLEN BOWMAN, the first child, was born on September 27th 1880, during the time his parents lived at the home of Rev. Moses Erb. The child lived but a few hours and was buried in the Mennonite Cemetery, the funeral having been conducted by Mr. Erb, who also built the casket. Some time after the funeral, the parents, not having as yet chosen a name for the child, selected a group of names which were written on separate pieces of paper and put into a hat. The mother drew the name of Allen, which name was then duly entered in the family bible.

Notes:

Source: "Reuben Bowman, His Family" by Fred Bowman 1948

BEATRICE BOWMAN, the second child, was born on August 22nd 1881 in the little red house on King St. East. Some time previous to her birth, the town was honoured by a short visit from the Princess Beatrice, a daughter of Queen Victoria, who appeared on the platform of the train as it stopped for a short time at the station. The lovely Princess, who was then twenty-four years of age, made such an impression on the mother that she then and there decided to name her next child, should it be a girl, after the beautiful princess. The baby girl arrived shortly after this event and consequently was given the name of Beatrice. She attended Agnes St. School and Central School (now Suddaby School) and had as teachers such well known instructors as Mr. J. Suddaby and Mr. Richard Reid.

She is not married and lives in the old family residence at No. 30 Francis St. North in Kitchener.

Notes:

Source: "Reuben Bowman, His Family" by Fred Bowman 1948

CLAYTON BOWMAN, the third child, was born in the old house at the corner of Weber and Wellington Sts. in Berlin on June 6th 1883. He attended Agnes St. and Central Schools, having had as teachers such well remembered instructors as Mr. J.B. Shotwell, Mr. J.S. Jackson and others.

After leaving School, he worked at various trades, finally completing his apprenticeship as a carpenter and in March of 1908 he went to San Francisco, where he worked at the rebuilding of that city after the terrible earthquake and fire which had destroyed it in 1906. When this work was nearing completion, he moved to Western Canada and filed on a homestead about five miles from Kindersley, Saskatchewan, where he developed the farm on which he still resides.

In 1912 he married Miss Emma Mary Jones, who was born in London, England, on March 13th 1884 and came to Canada in 1911. They had a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters.

Clayton married Emma Mary Jones on 12 Nov 1912 in Outlook, Saskatchewan. Emma was born on 13 Mar 1884 in St. Olave, Southwark, Surrey, England; died on 15 Jan 1957 in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1921, 272 Brunswick Street, Stratford, Perth County, Ontario

Notes:

Source: "Reuben Bowman, His Family" by Fred Bowman 1948

DORA BOWMAN, the fourth child of Reuben and Louisa Bowman, was born on June 25th 1885 in the house at the corner of Weber and Wellington Sts. in Berlin. She attended Agnes St. School, after leaving which she entered the employ of the Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator, afterwards following the same occupation in Detroit, London and Stratford.

She is married to Frederick William Holman, formerly a train dispatcher with the Canadian National Railways in Stratford and on pension since 1939. They reside at their home, No. 272 Brunswick St. in Stratford, and have a family of three girls.




Newspaper Clipping - undated

OBITUARIES
Mrs. Frederick W. Holman

Mrs. Frederick William Holman of Kitchener died Tuesday at the Coutts Pavillion, Freeport Hospital after a lengthy illness. She was 85.

The former Dora Bowman, she was born in Kitchener, June 25, 1885, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Bowman.

She had resided in Stratford for many years and moved to Kitchener a year ago.

She was a member of Zion United Church.

Mrs. Holman was predeceased by her husband, four brothers and one sister.

Surviving are three daughters [....]; one brother, Fred Bowman of Montreal; two sisters, Beatrice Bowman and Mrs. Hilda Shelley, both of Kitchener; and 12 grandchildren.

The body is at the Schreiter Sandrock Funeral Home where Rev. C.E. Hunking of Bethany United Church will conduct the funeral service and committal service Thursday at 2:30pm.

Burial will be at the Avondale cemetery, Stratford.

Dora married Frederick William Holman on 26 Dec 1916 in 30 Francis Street North (initial house address was 19 Francis Street), Berlin, Waterloo County, Ontario. Frederick (son of Frederick Joseph Holman and Catherine Craig) was born on 10 Jun 1873 in Stratford, Perth County, Ontario; died on 22 Feb 1966 in Hillside Rest Home, RR #5, Stratford, Ontario; was buried on 24 Feb 1966 in Avondale Cemetery, Stratford, Perth County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Source: "Reuben Bowman, His Family" by Fred Bowman 1948

EDITH BOWMAN, the fifth child of Reuben and Louisa Bowman, was born in the old house at the corner of Weber and Wellington Sts., in Berlin, on June 22nd 1887. She attended Agnes St. School and after passing her entrance examination, she went to the Berlin and Waterloo High School, taking a commercial course. After leaving school, she accepted employment with the D. Hibner Company Limited and later on with the C.P.R. telegraph Company.

She is married to George Bremner, a native of Berlin, who was overseas with the 135th Battalion and Fifth Divisional Engineers during the First World War. He is an electrician by trade and after living for some years in Berlin and Waterloo, they moved to Windsor, Ont., where he is employed with the General Motor Company in the capacity of chief maintenance electrician. They have a family of five children, two daughters and three sons.

Family/Spouse: George Bremner. George (son of George Bremner and Jennie Henderson) was born on 8 Aug 1888 in Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1911, 30 Francis Street North (initial house address was 19 Francis Street), Berlin, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Residence: 26 May 1917, 45 Riverside Drive, Kitchener, Ontario
• Residence: 1948, 5550 Mary Road, Montreal, Quebec
• Residence: 15 Jul 1952, 5550 Queen Mary Road, Apt 6, Montreal, Quebec

Notes:

Source: "Reuben Bowman, His Family" by Fred Bowman 1948

FREDERICK BOWMAN, the sixth child of Reuben and Louisa Bowman, was born at No. 19 Francis St. (now No. 30 Francis St. North) in Berlin, on October 24th 1889, just a week after the family had moved into the new house. When nine years of age, he had the misfortune of losing the sight of his right eye. He attended Agnes St. School, where he was instructed by such well remembered teachers as Miss Jessie Kaempf, Mr. H. Leslie Staebler and Mr. Richard Reid. After matriculating at the Collegiate Institute, he attended the University of Toronto, from which institution he graduated in civil engineering in 1911. He then joined the staff of the Dominion Bridge Co., of Montreal, with which company he is still connected in the capacity of a bridge erection engineer. In May 1917 he enlisted in the Canadian Railway Troops. He served with this Unit in Northern France, being promoted to commissioned rank shortly before the Armistice. In 1936 he was sent by his employers on loan to a construction company in Australia where he supervised the erection of the Storey Bridge at Brisbane. In 1938, while in Australia, he was married to Alice Carmen Mitchell, a native of Montreal. Returning to Canada in 1940, he was loaned to United Shipyards, supervising the wartime emergency construction of cargo and invasion vessels. They have no children and reside at 5550 Queen Mary Road in Montreal.



HIGHLIGHTS IN THE LIFE OF FRED BOWMAN 1972

1899 Born on October 24th in the house at 120 Francis Street in Berlin Ont. The family had moved into the new house a mere two weeks before the event.

1891 My earliest recollection was lying in the cradle in the down-stairs bed room. I had to vacate the cradle, graduating to the trundle bed, on the birth of my brother Gordon on September 8th.

1894 I remember being taken to school by my sister Edie on a Friday afternoon as a visitor. I was told that when the teacher rang the little bell the class is dismissed and we could all go home. At four oclock the teacher rang her bell and I called out across the class room to Frank Treusch, “Frank yets gain ma haim” (Now we go home). It caused quite an uproar in the class.

1895 Started in kindergarten at Agnes Street School. Miss Gray was the teacher.

1899 Lost the sight of my right eye when a stick was accidentally poked into it. This happened while playing with other boys on April 1st.

1900 In the class of H.Leslie Staebler. I must have done something really naughty so, as I was quite small, instead of the strap on the hand, he just picked me up by the scruff of the neck with one hand and applied the strap to my bottom, and this before the whole class.

The members of this class were: Rhiny Miller, Alf Goften, Fred Zember, John Kurbitz, John Schmidt, Norm Schreiber, Oscar Miller, Eddie Hanson, Gord Schatz, Fred Miller, Emil Hornburg, Paul Schacht, Alvin Willets, Allan Ogram, Newt Bishop, Eddie Reitz, Erle Johnson, Harold Oswald, Sid Stansbury, Eddie Reuel, Nellie Dahmer, Minnie Schacht, Louisa Freund, Leonie Oschman, Emma Knorr, Mollie Sechtus, Martha Schwarts, Annie Schacht, Clara Euler, Leonie Rudy, Lilly Beitz, Emma Koehler, Emma Gralki, Emma Kressler, Emma Guenzler, Pearl Wildfong, Gertie Shade, Emma Pulkoski, Martha Dannecker.

I was the only member of this class who, on leaving public school, went on to high school. The rest had to go to work to help support their families.

1901 During these years we had a very congenial group of boys in the neighborhood. We played games in the commons, went camping, went swimming in places such as Schuster’s Creek, Bramm’s Pond, Waterloo Dam, Clemmer’s etc. The boys were Punch Zapfe, Harold Oswald, Charlie Bauman, Vorie Ernst, Plummer Hasenpflug, Harold Brandt, Rhiny Schippanowski, Mike Hagadorn

1903 Passed high school entrance exams. My teachers at Agnes Street School were: Miss Gray, Miss Florence Devitt, Miss Jessie Kaempf, H.Leslie Staebler, Richard Reid. Entered the Berlin Collegiate and Technical Institute.

1905 Went camping at Freeport on the Grand River. We were “The Hungry Seven”, composed of myself, my brother Gordon, Norm and Fred Schneider, Walter Zeller, Alf Goften and John Law. We all worked in town during the summer so we would bicycle to the camp each evening and back to town in the morning

1907 Passed the Junior Matriculation Examinations. The teachers at the high school were: D.Forsyth, D.S.Jackman, G.R.Dolan, L.Norman, H.G.Martin, W.H.Williams, H.W.Brown, D.W.Houston, Miss. K.A.Fisher, Miss M.Zoelner

1908 Passed the Senior Matriculation Examinations with one failure, Ancient History. Ephriam Huehnergard and I went to Toronto to write the supplemental exam which I passed this time. Entered the University of Toronto in the faculty of Applied Science, Civil Engineering.

1910 Spent the summer months on a survey party for the Geological Survey of Canada on Vancouver Island. Most of the time was on a triangulation party which entailed climbing and observing from the higher mountains. Climbed such mountains as: Big Interior, Grey, Albert Edward, Arrowsmith and others. Was a member of the University gymnastics team.

1911 Graduated in Civil Engineering From the University of Toronto. Worked for several months for Norman D.Wilson, a Toronto surveyor, in Toronto and Niagara Falls. Began working for the Dominion Bridge Company at Lachine as a draughtsman. R.B.Kenrick, Chief Draughtsman.

1914 Was made a checker in the draughting room.

1915 Worked about six months in the city office on projects in the city. Was initiated into the Masonic Order, Victoria Lodge No. 73. Was a member of the Lachine Boating and Canoeing Club intermediate paddling crew and won our fours race at Cartierville Regatta. The other members of the crew were Jimmy Bell, Dave Speck, and Dee Smart. Jimmy was killed at Paschandale and Dave was killed at Vimy Ridge.

1917 Enlisted in the 15th reinforcing draft Canadian Railway Troops as private No.3547303, on May 24th. Sailed for England on the S.S. Justician in July and was stationed at Purfleet in Essex. Went to France in September and was attached to the 7th. battalion Canadian Railway Troops then stationed near Elverdinge in Belgium. Had previously tried to enlist in the infantry, artillery, engineers, army service corps, pioneers and army medical corps, all without success.

1918 Given a corporal’s stripes in February. Was present at the battle of Paschendale, the retreat on the Somme and the final advance. Was promoted to the commissioned rank of Lieutenant and transferred to the 4th. Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops on October 13th. Was in Valenciennes at the time of the armistice.

1919 Returned to England and was stationed at Whitley Camp and at Rhyll, North Wales. Sailed for Canada, arriving on September 5th, and was discharged on that date in Montreal. After a week’s visit to my home in Kitchener, returned to Montreal and again entered the employ of the Dominion Bridge Company as a checker in the draughting room.

1920 Promoted to the rank of Squad Leader.

1921 Sent to Saint John N.B. as Field Engineer on the erection of the C.P.R. railway bridge over the reversible Falls, E.C.Fitzsimmons, Foreman

1922 Elected to the office of Worshipful Master of Victoria Lodge No. 73, A.F.&A.M. Sent to Gateneau Piont as a field engineer on the erection of the C.P.R. railway bridge over the Gatineau River. E.C.Fitzsimmons, Foreman

1923 Field engineer on the erection of the railway bridge over the Abitibi River of Iroquois Falls. E.C.Fitzsimmons, Foreman

1924 Field engineer on the erection of the highway bridge over the Chute Peribonka at Honfleur. Bill Robertson foreman

1925 Field engineer on the erection of the highway bridge at St. Anne de Bellevue. E.C.Fitzsimmons, Foreman

1929 Field engineer on the erection of ferry landings at Mulgrave N.S. George Estey, foreman. Started on the designing of erection equipment and methods for the erection of the Montreal South Shore bridge.

1930 Erection engineer on the construction of the Montreal South Shore bridge (Jacques Cartier bridge) from 1930 to 1933. Lawrence McMahon and Alex McDermid, foremen.

1934 Erection engineer on the construction of the Rechelieu River bridge at Sorel. Lawrence McMahon, foreman.

1935 Erection engineer on the erection of the Isle D’Orleans suspension bridge. Lawrence McMahon, foreman.

1936 Sailed for Australia on the S.S. Niagara from Vancouver. On the way we called at San Francisco, Honolulu, Suva and Auckland. On the stop at Suva I obtained one of each of the current coins of Fiji. This was the start of my coin collecting. On board ship I became very friendly with Mr.D.H.Ross, a retired Canadian trade commissioner living in Australia and with Mr. Fairbairn, a wool dealer from Dunedin. After dinner the three of us would walk arm in arm around the deck, ending up in the bar for a round of drinks. Arriving in Sydney I was met by Colonal Evans and then proceeded to Brisbane where I started work as assistant engineer to Mr. L.R.Wilson on the erection of the Storey Bridge over the Brisbane River at Kangarou Point. This work extended over the next four years.

1938 Married to Alice Mitchell in Sydney, Australia. She came out from Montreal for the event.

1940 Returned to Canada on the S.S. Mariposa, stopping at Auckland, Pago Pago, Suva and Honolulu. I again started work in the erection department of Dominion Bridge Co. Went to Port Alfred in charge of the erection of bauxite handling plant for the Aluminum Company of Canada. Herb Findlay, foreman. During this time we lived at 5550 Queen Mary Road in Montreal. Later went to Halifax in charge of the erection of a floating dry dock. Alex McDermid, foreman.

1941 Appointed manager of the hull department of United Shipyards. During the next four years, forty-five liberty ships were built and launched. Jock Rannie, shipyard manager.

1949 Erection engineer on the construction of the suspension bridge at Beauharnois. George Estey, foreman. Erection engineer on the construction of the highway arch bridge over the Chaudier River. George Estey, foreman.

1952 Purchased the house at 210 53rd. Ave. Lachine.

1955 Engineer on the erection of the Angus MacDonald suspension bridge at Halifax. Don Balmain, foreman. Presented with the second award medal by the American Numismatic Association for my article on the Canadian Bouquet Sous which appeared in the Numismatist.

1956 I was appointed honorary vice president of the Canadian Numismatic Association.

1958 Took leave of absence to go on an extended trip around the world. Sailed on S.S.Orcades from Vancouver. Made stops in San Francisco, Suva, Auckland, disembarking at Sydney. Visited friends in Sydney, Brisbane, Toowoomba and Melbourne. We also spent several days with Mr. and Mrs. Simpson on their cattle station Wyuna, at Barmundu in northern Queensland. Sailed from Melbourne on the S.S. Strathmore stopping at Adelaide where I made the acquaintance of Jim Deacon and Sid Hagley, both widely known numismatists, and a Perth. On the ship we sat at the table of Captain Slinn. Cardinal Gilroy of Sydney was also a guest at the Captain’s table. We became very good friends with the Cardinal and had lunch with him and his party on one occasion. We also became good friends with Major C.A.Dharnagala of Colombo and Mr. S. Rajanagayagan, an electrical engineer for the city of Colombo. We disembarked at Colombo and toured part of Ceylon by car visiting Putalam, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Sigeria, Nuwara Elyia and Kitulgala. Flew from Colombo to Madras in India where we visited Bangalore, Mysore, New Delhi, Agra and Bombay. Sailed from Bombay on the S.S. Asia for Naples, stopping on the way at Karachi, Aden, Suez, Cairo and Port Said. Toured part of Europe by car visiting Pompeii, Amalfi Drive, Capri, Rome, Florence, Venice, Como, Monte Carlo, and Genoa. While in Rome we met up with Isobel Alexander whose company we very much enjoyed while touring the city and the vicinity. Sailed from Genoa on the S.S.Augustus for New York. On this trip Alice won the Captain’s prize in the bridge playing competition.

1959 Retired from the Dominion Bridge Company on pension.

1968 Started spending the winter months in Florida. Received the Federal Centennial medal for work on Canadian Numismatics.

1969 Awarded the first J.D.Ferguson award medal. Sold my entire coin collection and numismatic library.

Frederick married Alice Carmen Mitchell in 1938 in Australia. Alice (daughter of A. C. Mitchell) was born on 10 Mar 1904 in Dunmore, Pennsylvania; died on 7 Aug 1998 in Griffith-McConnell Residence, 5790 Parkhaven, Cote St. Luc, Quebec. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Source: "Reuben Bowman, His Family" by Fred Bowman 1948

GORDON BOWMAN, the seventh child of Reuben and Louisa Bowman, was born at No. 30 Francis St. N. in Berlin on September 8th 1891. He attended Agnes St. School and upon passing his entrance examination, he attended the Collegiate Institute. He joined the staff of The Canadian Bank of Commerce in Berlin and was later transferred to Saskatoon, Sask., where he lived for a time in the bank building. Leaving the bank in 1909, he proceeded further west and worked on the construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway on their main line through the Yellowhead Pass in the Rockies. In 1910 he returned east and entered the employment of the Dominion Rubber System, learning the trade of pattern maker and rubber shoe designer. He was transferred to their factory at Granby, Que., where he became Plant Superintendant. When the plant at Granby was closed, he was moved to their factory in Kitchener and later was transferred to their plant in Montreal. While living at Granby, he was married to Mildred Wilkin, a native of that town. He died at St. Jerome, Que., on February 3rd 1943 of diabetes, of which ailment he had been suffering for more than twenty years, and is buried in the East End Cemetery in Kitchener.

Died:
Memorial from undated newspaper article

Final Tribute Paid
Late G. Bowman

Many friends and business associates paid final tribute to Gordon Bowman, of the footwear construction and development division, Dominion Rubber Company, Limited, at the funeral this afternoon at the chapel of G. Armstrong & Co. Inc, 3426 Park Avenue. Mr. Bowman died suddenly in his 52nd year.

A native of Kitchener, Ont., Mr. Bowman started in the rubber footwear business in 1913 at the company's Merchants Factory, Kitchener, Ont, transferring in 1918 to their Granby Factory at Granby, Que., becoming superintendent in 1919. In 1927 he was put in charge of the company's footwear pattern school in Montreal, transferring to footwear construction in 1929.

He is survived by his wife, the former Mildred Olive Wilkin, two brothers and four sisters.



Obituary from undated newspaper

BOWMAN - Suddenly, at St. Jerome, P.Q. on February 3rd, 1943. Gordon Bowman, beloved husband of Mildred Olive Wilkin in his 51st year. Funeral service at the Armstrong Chapel, 3426 Park Avenue, on Friday, February 5th at 2 p.m.

GORDON BOWMAN - Gordon Bowman of Montreal, a former resident of Kitchener, dropped dead at St. Jerome, Que., on Wednesday. He was 50 years of age. Born in Kitchener, he was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Rueben Bowman. He is survived by his wife; three brothers, Clayton, Kindersley Sask; Fred, Montreal, and Ivan, Kitchener, and fours sisters, Mrs. Beatrice Bowman, Kitchener; Mrs. Fred Holman, Stratford; Mrs. George Bremner, Windsor, and Mrs. Hilda Shelley, Kitchener. The funeral will be held in Montreal, Que.

Family/Spouse: Mildred Olive Wilkin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Source: "Reuben Bowman, His Family" by Fred Bowman 1948

HILDA BOWMAN, the eighth child of Reuben and Louisa Bowman, was born at No. 30 Francis St., Berlin, on October 28th 1894. On selecting a name for this child, which must necessarily begin with the letter H, various names were suggested among which was the name of Hazel. When, however, the hired girl, in pronouncing the name, dropped the H sound and pronounced it “esel”, this being the German word for donkey, the name Hazel immediately became very unpopular and Hilda was selected.

She attended Agnes St. School, the Collegiate Institute and the Ontario Normal School at Stratford, where she passed the requirements for teaching in the Public Schools of Ontario. She followed the teaching profession, first in country schools and later in the schools of Kitchener. She was married to Percival Weber Shelley, a son of Jacob C. Shelley, after his return from overseas where he served with the 134th Highlanders and the 15th Battalion, 1st Div. He died on January 4th 1924 of acute endocarditis, a direct outcome of his military service.

They had two children, both girls, the mother returning to teaching in order to provide a home and a proper upbringing for her small family. She is now living at No. 21B Krug St. in Kitchener.



Obituary - undated newspaper

SHELLEY, Hilda - On Thursday, Feb. 6, 1997, at her Kitchener residence, in her 103rd year.

Hilda Shelley, loving wife of the late Percy Weber Shelley. Dear mother of [....].

Arrangements are incomplete at this time but may be obtained by calling the Schreiter-Sandrock Funeral Home, Kitchener, 742-4481.



Obituary - undated newspaper

DEATHS
SHELLEY, Hilda Bowman - Passed away peacefully, at her home, age 102 years.

Beloved Kitchener teacher from 1915-1964. Descended from pioneer Jacob D. Shoemaker, 1799-1902, who recounted to her his trek by covered wagon from Pennsylvania.

Daughter of the late Reuben and Louisa Bowman, one of nine children named in alphabetical order. Widow of Percy Shelley, First World War veteran, since 1924. Mother of [....]. Lovingly remembered by 14 great-grandchildren and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A memorial celebration will be held at Highland Baptist Church at 2pm, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997, with Rev. Franklin Morgan presiding. Friends and family will be received at 1pm at the church preceding the service.

As expressions of sympathy, donations would be gratefully received by Highland Baptist Church Children's Support Programmes, 135 Highland Rd., Kitchener, N2M 3B9 or the Mennonite Central Committee, 50 Kent Avenue, Kitchener, N2G 3R1.

Hilda married Percival Weber Shelley after 1916. Percival (son of Jacob Cook Shelley and Mary Ann Weber) was born on 27 Jan 1896 in Conestogo, Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ontario; died on 14 Jan 1924 in 240 Samuel Street, Kitchener, Ontario; was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Source: "Reuben Bowman, His Family" by Fred Bowman 1948

IVAN BOWMAN, the youngest of the children of Reuben and Louisa Bowman, was born at No. 30 Francis St. in Berlin on August 9th 1896. After attending Agnes St. School, he went to the Collegiate Institute, after which he apprenticed to a druggist in Lachine, Que., intending to study for the profession of pharmacy.

Shortly after the war started, however, while on a visit home he enlisted in the 118th Battalion and proceeded overseas. On going to France, he was transferred to the 1st (Western Ontario) Battalion, 1st Div. with which unit he saw action at a number of major engagements on the western front including Paschendaele, Amiens, the breaking of the Hindenburg Line, Bullecourt, Drocourt-Queant Line, Canal du Nord and the march into Germany. On returning home with his battalion in the spring of 1919, he proceeded to Western Canada where he worked on farms for a time, after which he came back to Kitchener, taking a position with a Credit Exchange and Collecting Bureau. In 1928 he decided to go into business for himself and started the Credit Bureau of Waterloo County, which he is still operating.

He is married to Vera Catherine Scheifele, a native of Waterloo, and they have three children all boys. They reside at 173 Lydia Street in Kitchener.

------------------------------

Found at http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4977461-diary-of-a-great-war-soldier/ on November 10, 2014

Dated Nov 07, 2014

Diary of a Great War soldier
Kitchener soldier?s diary traces war from sailing for England to armistice

Waterloo Region Record
By Jeff Outhit

Shelled at crossroads 2 dead one minus a leg. War is HELL.

? Pte. Ivan Bowman, June 23, 1917, Belgium.

Ivan Bowman inhaled poison gas and dodged German shells on the Western Front. He slept in barns and trenches. He foraged battlefields to save the wounded.

He kept a daily diary. Almost a century later, it still has a four-leaf clover pressed between its fading pages.

Bowman enlisted at 19 in Berlin (now Kitchener). He marched in ill-fitting boots, drank, gambled, played tourist and chased girls. He battled lice. He played clarinet, with little talent but all his heart, to cheer on troops.

Let's see the First World War as he did.

Getting there

Bowman sailed for England on Jan. 26, 1917. Some unspeakable sad feeling prevails on seeing dear Canada grow dimmer and finally disappear ?

A soldier died on the crossing. All stood to attention to watch the body slip into the ocean. The body was wrapped in canvas and draped with the Union Jack while a heavy sack of coal was fastened to its feet.

In England, Bowman trained for three months. The country about is very beautiful and picturesque while the public house where we had a glass of bitter all with the emphasis on the bitter was worthwhile looking into, with its sawdust on the floor and pretty barmaids ?

Fourteen weeks is the time allowed for a fighting course after which one is supposed to be a capable & efficient hun exterminator.

At the front

In May 1917 Bowman joined the 1st infantry battalion in Belgium. Medical concerns restricted him to labour duties.

Worked on trench 1000 yds from front line Fritz shelled us a little coming & shelled road near trench. Feet sore as hell.

The war touched him on July 27, 1917. Sat outside entrance & got some gas. made me sick. fast heart, headache faint & weak.

In August 1917 he carried food to soldiers battling near craters at St. Eloi, after the Allies exploded mines beneath German trenches. On ration party to crater in day. Many dead lying all over ? To front line carry back wounded. Dead numerous.

In October 1917, Bowman joined the battalion's musical band, which played to build morale. On Nov. 6, 1917, the 1st battalion attacked at Passchendaele, in Belgium. Bowman named fallen comrades from home. Among them ? Henry Looker, George Millard, Gordon Stauffer, Harry Delion, and Sheldon Uffelmann. Later he named James Willis and Arthur Hall.

In January 1918, Bowman was feeling unwell. My wind is a bit better, am undecided whether the gas interfered with it ? Feel very sick. May be gas ? Seem to have got some gas as my throat & lungs are all hard, coughing [spitting] spells.

Bad news from home

Bowman learned that his father Reuben was dead in February 1918. The news took a month to reach him.

Now that he has gone I realize how much he means to me ? Feel awful and had several spells of tears ? Try to be strong. Death is awful in ones own family & oh the terrible time dear mother & sisters must have ?

I can't get over it. He was a good man. Would that I had his sterling qualities ? This is hard when one is so far away. How I wish I could be some comfort to my mother.

Buildup at the front

In March 1918 Bowman visited Britain on leave, just as the Germans launched a major offensive. They had rather an exciting time since our departure & we couldn't have left at a more opportune time.

After starting strongly, the German offensive faltered. Canadian troops saw little action. Troops are optimistic about future & confident that Jerry cannot trample us under ? The Cans must be in for something big considering the length of time they have been out of the line ? Our corps movements are secret & speculation is ripe.

Final 100 days

Canada attacked on Aug. 8, 1918. Bowman played for troops while they marched to the front.

Traffic enormous. Many Germans coming down. Prisoner cages full & some sad wounded cases. Complete success report says ?

Beautiful weather continues & we still have him on the run ? His dead machine guns lying about show that we had a stiff time to overcome these obstacles who died for the Vaterland.

Bowman named more local soldiers who died. Among them ? John Bissett, Ira Diefenbacher, Earle Lavery, and Daniel Desmond. They dwindle quickly ? Many ghastly sights meet the eye.

In October 1918 Bowman carried a stretcher to collect the wounded. The 1st of October was a disastrous day for this bn (battalion). The advance of 6 kilos was successfully accomplished but a retirement had to be made owing to three main supports being inactive viz. aeroplanes artillery & left flank. The casualties numbered about 250.

Canadians liberated French towns as the Germans retreated. Bowman played for a church parade at a town named Vred.

Town hasn't seen allied band since 1914. Enthusiastic reception by delighted populace. People cry on hearing La Marseillaise. Bouquets given to bandmaster ? War news is wonderful & at last we know that our peace is coming.

Peace at last

The Great War ended on Nov. 11, 1918. Gen Currie inspects 1st bde (brigade) & announces the wonderful news. Hostilities cease at 11 AM when the Boche accepted our terms of armistice. Very little demonstration. Some firing of flares.

Bowman crossed into Germany weeks later. German people treat us very good. They are all war weary & one & all delighted that the nightmare has at last come to an end ?

Discharged in 1919, Bowman returned to Francis Street North in Kitchener. By 1921, he was an electrician earning $1,800 a year. Later he worked at a financial business.

He died in 1968, father of three, grandfather of two.

jouthit@therecord.com

------------------------------------------------


Undated Newspaper Clipping

Credit Bureau Chief, Ivan Bowman Dies

Ivan Bowman, founder and president of the Credit Bureau of Kitchener and Waterloo, died Sunday at St. Mary's Hospital after a brief illness. He was 71.

Mr. Bowman, who resided at 1016 Wilson Ave., was born in Kitchener and lived here all his life. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Bowman.

He started the credit bureau in 1928 as a one-man operation.

"Business was terrible," he recalled recently. "For a long time I was fortunate to make $5 a week, hardly enough to keep body and soul together."

At that time he operated from his mother's home on Francis Street. After a couple of years business improved and he moved to a one-room office above a store on King Street East.

After two more office location changes, both on King Street, the bureau was moved in 1952 to 31 College St. where it has doubled its space since that time.

Today it is a more than $1,000,000 - a - year business employing a staff of 35.

Mr. Bowman reported to the office every day until he became ill in June. However, he had delegated most of the "heavy work" to his son, the general manager.

During the First World War, Mr. Bowman served overseas with the Canadian forces.

He was president of the 118th Battalion Association; a member of Kitchener Rotary Club; Grand River Lodge A.F. and A.M. and the Royal Arch Masons and Zion United Church. He was a past-president of the Associated Credit Bureaus of Ontario and of Waterloo County Children's Aid Society.

Surviving are his wife, the former Vera C. Scheifele; three sons, [....]; one brother, Frederick Bowman, Lachine, Que.; three sisters, Beatrice Bowman and Mrs. Hilda Shelley, both of Kitchener, and Mrs. Dora Holman, Stratford, and two grandchildren. Three brothers and one sister predeceased him.

The body is at the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home where a service will be conducted Wednesday at 3:30pm. Rev. G.F. Barthel and Rev. David Burns of Zion United Church will officiate. Interment will be in Kinzie-Beam Pioneer cemetery, Doon.

Donations to the Rotary Children's Centre will be accepted as expressions of sympathy.

Family/Spouse: Severia "Vera" Catherine Scheifele. Severia (daughter of Christian K. Scheifele and Adeline Stroh) was born on 20 May 1906; died on 21 Dec 1999 in Forest Heights Long Term Care Facility; was buried in Kinzie - Biehn Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Sylvester Ziegler. Sylvester (son of Peter Ziegler and Magdalena Baumann) was born on 3 Apr 1883 in Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ontario; died on 16 Nov 1965. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Thomas Howlett. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Israel Shoemaker. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Emma married George L. Bauman on 24 Sep 1907 in Elmira, Wellington County, Ontario. George (son of Joseph Bauman and Sarah Litchty) was born about 1884 in Woolwich Township, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lydia married Abraham Bauman on 16 Mar 1910 in Elmira, Wellington County, Ontario. Abraham (son of Menno S. Bauman and Sussannah Martin) was born about 1885. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Ellen Lovell on 24 Dec 1913 in Georgetown, Halton County, Ontario. Ellen (daughter of Thomas Lovell and Ellen Cooper) was born about 1894 in London, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Judith married Manasseh Clemmer on 22 Feb 1923 in Elora, Wellington County, Ontario. Manasseh (son of Nathan Clemmer and Susannah Martin) was born about 1899 in Waterloo County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Alvin married Minerva Litchty on 14 Feb 1924 in Residence of John Litchty, Waterloo County, Ontario. Minerva was born about 1903 in Woolwich Township, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The family resided at 49 Bingeman Street in Kitchener, Ontario. Erma's mother died during childbirth. Erma later lived with her aunts on a farm on Greenbrook Drive in Kitchener, Ontario. Her father remarried in 1911.