The morning news., 1899-04-15
DEATH OF MENARD *. BOWEN.
Was n Member OF. "A Distinguished
Savannah Family.


Was n Member OF "a Distinguished
Savannah Family.
Savannahians are much Interested in the
career of Menard Kenner Bowen, who
died in Chicago on the 9th ,of April. The
name of Bowen has been a very promi--
nent one in the history of Savannah. NJ
X. Bowen was the grandson of Mai. VIM
p. Bowen, one of Savannahs s leading and
most prominent citizens in ante-bellum
days. He owned and occupied as his resi-
dence "Fairlawn Plantation" which is
now included in the southeastern portion
of the city. ff
During Maj. Bowen's lifetime his house
was the center of fashionable. society and
many now lying have pleasing reeollec-'
tions of the entertainments at Fairlawn.
The plantation covered a very large tract
of land now cut up into lots and occupied
by residences.
There is but one representative of the
family living in Savannah now, Mrs Mary
Elizabeth Bowen Robertson who married
DIR. Jas. j. Robertson of Washington Ga,
whose house in Washington has been
made historic by the last meeting of the
Confederate Cabinet in 1865. John $.
Bowen, recently living in saKannah, but
now in Chicago, was a brother Of NJ. X.
Bowen.
Mr.. Bowen was born in 1858 al, jefferson
barracks, Mo-, Just outside of ST. Louis,
where his father John s. Bowen, then
captain In the United States army was
stationed. His father afterwards became
a major general in the Confederate army,
and was killed in battle during the Vicks-
burg campaign, leaving behind him an
honorable and distinguished name. Menard
Kenner Bowen was an engineer by pro-
fession; was at one time connected with
the government survey work. was In
charge Of the Typographical survey of the
st. louis and San Francisco Railway,
chief engineer and superintendent of con-
struction of the Kansas city Railway one
of the pioneers among the Gable roads of
this country, and finally became superin-
tendent Of the South Side Street Railway
system in Chicago. 1t was his connection
with this latter company that has made
his name chiefly known. The Chicago pa
pers of April 10, have long accounts of his
career. The following extracts from the
Chicago Chronicle of that date Will be of
interest.
"Menard K. Bowen was a man in the
prime OF life and seeming fun of vigor He
was but Al years old. having been born in
1858 at Jefferson Barracks, Mo-. the army
Mississippi river. His father was the Con-
federate general, John S. Bowen, who
was killed in battle during the civil war,
and the maternal grandfather of the de-
cedent was Pierre Menard, the first lieu
tenant governor of Illinois. From this
sturdy, fighting stock, Menard Bowen in
herited that tenacity of purpose, cool reso-
luton and indomitabe resolve never to
accept defeat which so notably marked his
career He was distinctivefy a man of ac-
ton and a commander of men. -"'
"In January, 1897, he was elected general
manager of this great system, p utilizing
nearly 200 miles of track within the city of
Chicago and its influence continued to
rise and grow more powerful while he re-
mained al it's head. At the last annual
election he was made president of the
road. t..4s,f a.fl
1.-THE energy and resolute character of
Menard K. Bowen became remarked keen
~ by the directors of the city railway
company. when as manager of the south
side system he fought the attempt of the
employees to form a union IN September.
1897. Friends of MI. Boweh say his victory
i'm that strategic battle was the principal
cause for his elevation TO the presidency
OF the big corporation some months later
to succeed George Henry Wheeler, Mana
ger Bowen made many enemies by his at
titude toward the car mems organization,
but TO criticisms and remonstrances, when
he detgned to notice them, he replied that
he simply was carrying out the policy OF
the corporation and performing his plain
dgty.
"The leader, who was defeated by Bow
ems generalship. w. d. Mahon, president
of the Amalgamated Association Of Street
Railway Employees Of America. confessed
that never was threatened strike averted
20 cleverly or a union crushed so thorough
~.
Having shown his power. Manager Bow
en- acted generously 10 his fallen foes. lie
reinstatcd all the discharged leaders by
degrees ana oxacted no pledges OF them.
Since then there has been no whisper OF
conflict between employees ana company.
The directors Of the corporation were
amazed az the facility with which . move
ment that seriously had alarmed them had
been brought 10 naught and B0Wen'a exec
ufiye reputation was made. No other man
ever earned the Distinction of having wiped