Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-09-24
Hon. Joseph BOwker.

Tread by Henry Hall, before the Yer
mont Historical Society at Windsor, July
lst and I'd. 1868: !:
q If we consult only our published histo-
hes for knowledge Of the leading actors
n the drama OF Vermont's colonial and
Evolutionary struggles, we shall find none
whose appearance is so weird and spectre
like, as that of the Hon. Joseph Bowker of
sRutand. He ghdes before our vision,
ihe incumbent OF the most important Oth-
ssia stations he vanshes-and we seek in
syain for the faintest vestige Of his ante
\ sseents or subsequent destiny.
NJ The earth has bubbles, as the water hath
MI And he is of them"
1t seems as if he were like the mystic
Aelchlsedec, without father, without
mother, without genealogy, and like the
dvinelv buried Moses, no mortal could
tel the place of his burial.
Appeton's new American Cyclopedla
contains ample columns, descriptive of
obscure indian agents, worthless military
officers and insignificant politicians, but
it does not even name him, who was, IN a
modifed sense, the John Hancock Of Yer
mont.
d As Bowker died 70 years ago as his
8only surviving heirs were two married
Sdaughters, whose descendants are said to
Agbe in the far West; as his official files In
@the county clerks Office were probably
burnt half century since, with mass of
bther papers, as useless lumber, there re-
mains only brief documentary and oral
evidence, from which to gather few
xcanty facts, that woven into an all too
3eggarly wreath, are brought as vo-
live Offering on the altar Of that American
historic muse, who has,in our sister states,
swept through fame's marble halls, with
her garments all trailed in light, albeit,
in our humble state, she has worn rather
The lowly guise of crusading pilgrim.
with -palmer's staff, cookie SHE'LL and
Sandal shoon.
An intelligent lady cotemporary told me
Sthat Bowker was early left an orphan,-
brought up in the family of Mr. Tain
tor, a prosperous farmer, r,-prlvately y be-
trothed to his daughter Sarah, drafted IN
10 the army during the French war, in
Che garrison at Ticonderoga one or two
years, he returns with so good reputa-
bon that he soon becomes the son-in-law
of his quasi guardian.
The time and place of his birth are as
let unknown. According to one who
eame to Rutland three years after Bow
sker's death-the late Hon. James d . But
Ter; no mean authority on any subject of
which he ever spoke-Bowker came from
Il Sudbury, Mass, or near there a section
Of the country that has abounded IN Bow
4 kers and Taintors for nearly two centu-
sries.
@ In October, 1873, we find Bowker in
Rutland, with the title of Captain (milita-
Nry titles then were not prejudlcial to ones
|4reputation for capacity or integrity Mod
8erator Of Proprletor's Meeting, one of the
sfommlttee TO find the centre of the town,
Ehairman Of the committee to inspect pro
priet rs titles, &C., and with his wife, be-
coming a member Of the Congregational
church, then and there established.
9@ffe soon appears a general ofice-holder.
for town, county and state one of the
Committee of Safety magistrate verv
generally sought for the execution of CON
veyances, for the adjudication of LEGAL
rlghts, and for the trial of torres town
easurer, seIectman, town representative.
Rember of the Governors Council. on ali
mmittees, financial, political, eeclesiasti-
or legislative; member Of the beard of
ar, Commissioner for the sequestration
tories estates Judge of the Probate
pd County Courts, and Chief Judge of a
|eclal court, appointed by the first Leg
lature.
About 1880, Bowker, James Claghorn.
enry Strong and John Smith, built a
w mill about eighty rods from the main
rth and south road on Handpole, Moons,
Iuttle's brook. A portion of his
m abonnds in clay, and an inventory of
s estate shows note of f3,against John
( orbes, for three thousand brick. Thus he
ems ubiquitous, everywhere present, in
& the political, legal, religious and bust
IS operations of society, sympathizing
tn and participating in all the efforts of
infant colony, for defence, organiza-
Dn and improvement.
& ne nature of some of his miscellaneous
vices vices Tor the public, will appear by ex-
o'ns lew items from his account.
N .a'e oI nermont.to Joseph Bowker, DR..
day, ''nuue 8,