The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1913-01-28
G. v. BOWEN SUCCUMbS
Ex-ConfedfateF Soldier, Former
Sheriff, Horseman and Farm
er Dies at a Ripe Age
w AS BORN IN BOURBON
Prominent Distiller for Years
and Was Once a Wealthy
Land Owner
w AS BORN IN BOURBON

| illness of complication of diseases.
Mr.. Bowen had been in feeble health
! for several months and for the past
two weeks his condition had been re-
garded as critical. His family and
friends entertained little hope for his
recovery and since Saturday his de-
mise has been momentarily expected.
Everything known to medical science
was employed to relieve his suffering,
which, coupled with his remarkable
constitution, prolonged his life.
Mr.. Bowen, who was in his eighty-ffth
year, was the eldest son of Benjamin
and Mary Current Bowen. His par
ents were natives of Bourbon county
and he was born near Riddles Mills, in
Bourbon county, on October Is, 1928.
He was educated in the district schools
at Riddles Mills, and remained with
| his father until he had grown to man.
hood.
On March %, 1852 he was, united in
marriage to Miss Lucy B. Wyatt,
daughter of Fleming and Martha
| Wyatt, residing near Riddles Mills,
and sister of Mr. George Wyatt,
of near Paris. His wife preceded him
to the grave number of years.
In the same year Mr.. Bowen engaged
in the mercantile business in Riddles
Mills which he continued most success
fully for years when he fitted up and
operated the Abe Spears cotton and
wooden factory about one mile from
Kiser station on Stoner creek. In con-
necIion with this he operated Touring
mill and being very successful in bust
ness amassed a considerable fortune.
The wooden mill was later converted
into distillery which he operated for
a number of years, making the famous
Bowen copper whiskey which had a
wide reputation the country over.
At the outbreak of the Civil war,
Mr.. Bowen espoused the cause of the
South, and answering the call for vol
Iunteers, enlisted in the Confederate
army in the spring of 1862. On enter
ing the army he was given a commits
sion of first Lieutenant in Company G
of the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry. serving
in the regiment of Col. Howard Smith,
and in the Brigade of Gen. Abe Bu-
ford, until transferred to the command
of Gen. John H. Morgan.
He won the reputation as fearless
officer by his gallantry in many engage
ments and was later promoted to the
position of Captain. He participated
in all of the principal engagements in
which the command of Gen. Morgan
fought, and in July, 1868, was taken a
prisoner by the Union troops at the
memorable battle at Bufington's Is
land, Ohio, when the gallant band of
cavalrymen under the intrepid leader
invaded the North.
With his brother officers, Mr.. Bowen
was sent to Johnson's Island, where he
was confined in prison for about four
weeks, when he was transferred to AL
legheny City, Pa, and imprisoned with
lis others in the State Penitentiary,
remaining in confinement for about
eight months. The ranking officers,
from Lieutenant up, were ordered to
Camp Chase, Ohio, where Mr.. Bowen
was confined for six months, when he
was released through the influence of
friends.
Returning home at the close of the
war, Mr.. Bowen again resumed bust
gy acquired valuable land estates, at
acres of fine bluegrass: land located
devoted to the raising of thoroughbred
horses dIlU lie OWucu luliy on Hcdu VI
high class runners. He made a num-
Der of sales, among the most notable
being that of Runnymede, 2-year-old,
for 900; Wallenstine, So, 900; Quin-
to and Elias Lawrence, the two for
Sc, 1000.
In 1875, Mr.. Bowen engaged in the
hardware business in Paris, under the
| e p
years following met with reverses
which swept away the majority of mis-
estate.
Mr. Bowen occupied the handsome
residence on the Cynthiana pike about
one mile South of Shawhan, which was
designed by himself and built accord
ing to his plans. The place was later
purchased by the father of Messrs.
John and Robert Larue who have
since occupied it, together with a large
acreage of the land which was owned
by Mr.. Bowen.
For a number of years Mr. Bower
continued in the capacity of manager
of the distillery at Kiserton which he
formerly owned and which had beer
acquired by Cincinnati capitalists.
In 1897 he moved to Paris and aftel
DG10Q mere d SHUT ClIIlS was GlSCLcu u
the office of sheriff of Bourbon county
holding the position for four years
when he was succeeded by Mr.. w. w
8 Mitchell.
. During his late years he mas lived il
retirement, residing with his daughter
8 Mrs. Keller, who with the other mem
: bers of the family contributed to hi
r every need during his declining years.
a He is survived by three daughters
a Mrs. Gala Keller and Mrs. A. H
s Keller, of Paris and Mrs. Arthur New
sum, of Dallas. Texas, who arrived a
: the bedside of her father SUNDAY nigh
: only few hours before his suffering
t were relieved by death. Three sisters
d Mrs. Harriet Duval, of near this city
. Mrs. James Tate, of Shawhan, and Mrs
e Mary C. Bell, of Lexington, also sur
n vive.
The funeral services will be held a
: his late residence on Fourth street