Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-02-05
Obituary.
REV. JAMES h. BOWLER.

Rev. James r. Bow Ter, formerly OF thi. city.
and for the past few wears pastor OF the Bap-
t~t churches in South Hancock and West SUI
Ivan. died At the Maine General Hospital,
Portland, saturday, Jan. II.
While yet Young man he came 10 Rockland
and entered the employ OF the late Constant
Rankin farmer, and manufacturer Of lime. Ne
Wa not al that time christian. but was soon
after converted and united with the Second
Baptist church, Cedar street. About 1880 or
1e5l. he WAS married 10 Miss Adene Turner
Of I-iyermore. ON his return TO Rockland he
commenced housekeeping in the Old Abbott
house on ROckland street. and later he built
house for himself on Rankin street. June 10th,
l>j4. he was licensed to preach by the Cedar
street Baptist church. and on the llth Of
july, le'ii. be Was ordained pastor Of the Sec
ond Baptist church. South Thomaston. which
had been organized in the preceding Frbru-
airy Mr.. Bowlef> ordination sermon was
preached by the Rev. Isaac X aloch. then pas
tor Of the First Baptist church. Rockland
Rev. y. Perry OF Camden. gave him the right
hand Of fellowship He remained pastor OF
this church for three years. For two wears
afterward he preached for the First Church
South ThOmastoR, the fourth Oldest Baptist
church in the State of Maine, organized in
1874. by the Rev. Isaac Case. He was suisse
quently pastor of the Baptist churches in
Union, Appleton and Hope, residing at Union
ON Nov. 10Th. 1883. while residing in
California he married to Miss Amanda
Watson. daughter OF Rev. K. Y. Watson OF
NJ IN
voted wife and who was with him In his last
hours
A. might have been expected from his de-
yout life, Mr.. Bowler's end was calm and
peaceful and he sleeps in Jesus blessed sleep
from which none ever wake to weep
Mr.. Bowler went to the hospital in Portland
Monday. Dec 10Th, for a surgical operation.
Under treatment be seemed at first to i'm
prove. His last postal TO his son, dated Jan
18th, was, however, less encouraging. and an
unfay orable change led to sudden declenson
and decease. His remains were brought to
Rockland, Tuesday, Jan. 90. The funeral
services occurred on Thursday at the residence
of his son, A lien Bow Ter, Of South Thomaston,
and at the First Baptist church, Rockland,
Rev. W. S. Roberts, pastor.
At the house. scriptures were read. prayer
offered. and "reminiscences given by Rev. ".
o. Holman, his intimate friend and neighbor.
Mr.. Holman was formerly pastor of the First
Church, Rockland, and in 1869 and 20, of the
Baptist church in Ellsworth.
At the church, after appropriate music, Rev.
DR.. Roberts read the scriptures and offered
prayer, when Rev. W. o. Holman. having
known Mr.. Bow Ter for more than a quarter of
a century, gave a sketch of his life and paid a
glowing. but, he said, an honest truthful
tribute to Mr.. BOwler's character and worth.
He spoke of Mr.. Bowler as true and conse-
Grated christian; preacher distinguished for
clearness. fidelity and ability. OF command
ing presence. fine voice, and impressive de-
livery, he never failed to interest and move
his audiences. He was witha faithful pas
tor. In all the relations of life as husband,
father, friend. counselor and citizen, he was
all that could be reasonably expected of
mortal man. He was high Mason. belonging
to nearly all the orders in ockland who were
generally represented at the church services
Rev. Mr.. Holman was followed by the Rev. j.
Hemingway, who had known Mr.. Bowler
from his youth. who heartily attested all that
Rev. Mr.. Holman had said of bis christian
worth, ministerial ability and manliness and
worth as a citizen. Rev. DR.. W. 8. Roberts
followed with a few remarks. He had not
known Mr.. Bowler so long or so intimately
either Of the previous speakers. but from his
briefer acquaintance could cordially endorse
all that they had said OF him The services
closed with the benedicton by the venerable
Rev. L. S. Trip. formerly of Surry: the
Masons took charge of the remains and they
| were inferred beside his loved ones In the
family lot in the Ingrahamville cemetery at
South ThomastOn. Won
Rockland, Jan. 26. 1891.