The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-06-24
Is8e. The subIect Of bis Thesls was

wv AAp VhSA A0 W."
to remove to Massillon, at that time in
advance Of Canton in Commercial pros
perity. Here he soon acquired an ex'
tensive practice, became the leading
physician and surgeon, had a widespread
reputation, was called in counsel into all
the adjacent counties, and from a per-
sonal knowledge of every physician who
attained any prominence in Stark county,
| venture the assertion that the amount
of professional labor performed by DR..
Bowen from 1910 to 1850 had never been
excelled before his day nor has it been
since. He had a compact frame, enjoyed
excellent health, and was capable OF
great endurance. During his stay in
Massillon he had associated with him in
practice, in different years, Drs. Watson,
Wallace, Shreve and Brewster, all Of
them men of excellent professional rep.
utation. He was popular as a medical
teacher, and always had students in his
Office. -.
Interested in farming ana impressed
with the idea that he would enjoy a more
independent life, he purchased, in 1858,
q tract of land neal new Portage, Sum-
nit county. 1t was not his intention to
abandon the practice of medicine, but
make it subsidiary to that Of farming.
The experience of most physicians has
been, that when they undertook to carry
on two distinct kinds of business, one or
both fail to be remunerative, 1t was
even so in this instance. The doctor
did not find the profits of either vocation
satisfactory, and with the hope of cor
recting difficulties in the way of his sue
cess, he removed upon the farm with his
family in 1866; but from discomfort on
their part to a residence in the country,
and the disappointment incident to farm
life, they were satisfied, after the expe.
rience Of a year, to return to Massillon.
In 1857 he removed TO Akron, as it was
more convenient to his farm, and the
encouragement offered in a professional
way, was an additional i%nducement.
Here he remained until his death.
l have thus briefly traced his move
ments from the time of launching his
professional bark, until from age and in.
trinity of body, he was no longer able to
respond to calls. Like all voyagers on
the ocean of life, he experienced rough
as we'll as smooth sailing. The physician,
like one engaged in any other pursuit.
has his trials and tribulations; even
more than most others who, as a class,
depend upon the public for support.
Under our form of government, it is the
peculiar privilege oil every man and
woman, not only to exercise the right
of Judgment, but to express it; and
while everybody is wont to c~riticise doc
tors, [ can truthfully say, that l never
heard any one speak Of DR., Bowen dis.
paragingly, or otherwise than in compli-
mentary terms.
DR.. Bowen died January l4th, 1880, in
the 18th year of his age. The immediate
cause of his death was uroemiC poison.
About six months b fore his death he
wal s%unstruck, from the effects of which
he never recovered, Following this at
tack he presented a jaundiced appear
ance, and degeneration of tissue was ob.
served. 0ssifcation of the arteries was
also detected. His right hand was sub.
iect to paralysis agitans.
DR.. Bowen had nine children-seven
girls and two boys. The widow and
three Of the daughters alone survive
him. No man could be more happy in
his family relations, Wearied with a
day of professional labor, it was a great
relief to enjoy the companionship Of his
wife and children. Domestic in his
habits it was a labor Of love to contribute
what he could to make home attractive.
No husband or father eYer endeared him
self more to the wife and children.
DR.. Bowen was emphatiCally a self
made man, His success was the result
of his own individual efforts, improving
the circumstance and advantages that
presented. In a certain sense WI are all
creatures of circumstance--the architects
of our own fortunes; but, while some
achieve greatness by their own individ-
ual efforts, others have greatness thrust
upon them. By industry, the observance
of correct habits and a close application
to business, he obtained an envisble pc.
sition, which should be an encourage.
ment to young men deferred from enter
ing a learned profession from want of
peCuniary means. "Where there is a
will" a way is provided, and no nan or
woman of energy, possessed with the
requisite natural endowments need de.
spair Of success.
Though devoted to medicine he found
to give attention to other subjects
that have a material bearing upon the
welfare and happiness of mankind.
From having been a teacher he always
felt a lively interest in the cause of edu.
cation and the management of schools.
He was among the first in the State to
advocate the Union School system, and
lpon its adoption by legal enactment,
the first to succepd in influencing a
committee to put it into practical opera.
ton. During his residence in Massillon
he was editor and publisher of an educa
tional journal called the School Clarion.
He leCtured an afternoon of each week
to the pupils of the High School on Phys.
iology aud Hygiene, and it has been said
that no minister of the gospel ever la
bored with more faith and hope for the
souls Of his people than did DR.. Bowen
for the physical well being Of those pu.
pills. He had an abiding faith in the
nobility and excellence of human nature.
1t was a common saying with him, "Tell
the pupils what is right and they will do
it," Another saying was: Make the
way of knowledge accessible to all the
youth of the land, and with very few
exceptions, they will walk therein with
pleasure and delight" 1t was his habit,
riding through the country, to stop at
school house make the acquaintance of
5he teacher, inquire into the modes Of
instruction hear a recitation, note the
most promising pupils, and leave with a
compliment to the school. Physical and
esthetic culture, the study Of the best
authors, the most scholarly use and pro-
lunciation of words, the most elegant
'orms OF speech, these be regarded most
important, as from their proper knowl-
would spring pure, elevated tastes,
md the highest moral tendencies and
moral character.
DR.. Bowen was a lifelong student. His
evenings, when not spent with his family