27 January 1932

Wm. Bowman Dies Monday

William M. Bowman, aged and respected resident of this city died at the family home on North Pike street, Monday night about nine o'clock after an illness of not more than thirty minutes. Death was due to heart failure.
Mr. Bowman was in apparent good health earlier in the evening and after reading his paper walked across the living room, sitting down near a stove. Within a few minutes the first attack seized him. Medical assistance was secured and after using artificial respiration his heart action became normal. For a short space of time it was thought his condition had grown better until another sinking spell from which he failed to rally proved fatal.
Mr. Bowman followed a varied career coming to this city in the early days. His business endeavors were many followed by success in each until some twenty years ago when he retired from active business pursuit and since that time lived quietly at his home.
Funeral services were conducted from the Presbyterian church, Wednesday afternoon, 2:30 with Rev. R. N. Starn officiating. Interment was in Oakland cemetery.


OBITUARY

William M. Bowman was born in Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, August 27, 1849, died at Oakland, Ill., Jan. 25, 1932. Age 82 years, 4 months and 28 days. His father with four children came to Marshall, Ill., where he operated a water power mill and managed an Inn on the Old National Trail. Mr. Bowman, upon leaving home, went to work on the railroad being built between Terre Haute and Peoria. He lived in Oakland with a pioneer family by the name of Wash McConkey, who resided in the Dr. Garvey house, the site now occupied by Dr. Griest.

While living in Jewett, Ill., he met Miss Cordelia Sutliffe from Terre Haute, in the home of her brother. They were married Dec. 31, 1874. They purchased the house now occupied by Mr. Chas. Curtis. Their entire married life of 58 years has been spent in Oakland. Mr. Bowman has engaged in various business activities. He operated a furniture store with Tom McClellan; clothing and millinery store with the late James Lippincott; real estate and insurance with Tip Gilbert; also a hardware store by himself. He retired from business about 20 years ago. He built the Bowman addition to Oakland.
He was a trustee of the old Cumberland Presbyterian church; had the honor of being a charter member of the local Eastern Star and was also a member of the Masonic lodge being treasurer of the local order for a good many years. He also laid out the new part of the Oakland cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters; Mrs. Lottie Campbell of Oakland and Mrs. Blanche Humphries, of Sandusky, Ohio; two grandchildren, Mercedes McCarty and Ernest Campbell; six great grandchildren: Jean, Jim, ---- (Living), and Katherine Campbell and Joe and ---(living) McCarty.
His favorite song was "Lead Kindly Light". His favorite poem was Bryant's "To A Waterfowl". Upon the wall in his home hangs a picture of a lone waterfowl in its solitary flight to another country, painted by his daughter. On this picture is printed the verses of the poem. He never tired of reading it.
He had read his Bible through five times. The Sacred Book was a source of great comfort to him. Through its reassuring message he was ready to give up this life any time. Only a few days before he died he remarked: "I can die just as easy as I can to into my bedroom and go to sleep". This confidence is an inspiration to us all.
In Mr. Bowman Oakland has lost one of her respected and pioneer citizens. He has bidden adieu to the land of his long abode.