The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-04
BISHOP BOWMAN IS
DEAD, AGED 96 YEARS
The Patriarch Of the Meth.
odist Episcopal
Church.
WAS LINCOLN'S FRIEND
Farm Boy, Whose Ministerial
Career Took Him All
Over the World.
WAS LINCOLN's FRIEND

oRANor. N. j.. March S.-Ths Right
Rev. Thomas Bowman. d. D.. IL. D.. senior
Bishop OF the Methodist Episcopal Church.
died to-day at the age OF nearly 81 years
He had been confined to his bed In the
home OF his daughter. Mrs. Burns d.
Caldwell. 81 High street. for the last Six
months. III OF the infrmtles or age. He
10 survived by seven children, Mrs Caid-
we'll Mrs. George Smith OF Baltimore
Charles and Thomas Bowman OF 81
LOUIS. e. a. Bowman OF Chattanooga,
Theodore q. Bowman OF Los Angeles and
3 Is. bowman OF Denver
Bishop Bowman had a varied career.
From the days when he could FIRST manag e
t.s own aHairs until he was more than
30 years Old he led an active life. With
all his indispositions OF recent years he
made 1t pra.tico to deliver sermons
whenever his health would permit and
he kept up his interest In church matters
until the dry OF his death.
He was born In Brlar Creek. near Ber-
wick Columbia county. Pennsylvania. on
july 10. 1917. lie joined the church at
the age OF 10 years while no was a
York. Before that he worked ON a farm.
His first schooling was at Wilbraham
Academy In Massachusetts.
From New York the young man went
to Carlisle, Pa. where he entered Dickin-
son College In the Junior class He stood
at the head OF his fellows in scholarship
and was persuaded by President Durbin
to enter the ministry. which he did at the
Baltimore Conference In 1899.
In 1854 Dr. Bowman was chosen chap
lair OF the United States Senate He held
that post for two years and became
warm friend OF Abraham Lincoln. He
used to tell how he warned Lincoln OF
ha NJ aSaIn Az 1ax ha-
tore Booth killed him.
pr. Bowman was elected a Bishop OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church in May.
lS12 and eventually he became senior
Bishop He retired in 1896 and was
known as the patriarch of the church"
"a Bishop he attended conferences In
Europe. India, China. Japan and Mexico
His European experiences began in
1875 when he went TO the conference In
Great Br tain as Americas representative
From England he attended the Paris fair
and from there Journeyed to Norway
Sweden. Denmark and Germany, carry
ing greet nrs from the American church
He next went to Calcutta. Bombay and
other Indian cites. visiting the mission
posts
Through DR.. Bowman's influence n rich
Chinese merchant. All Hok. contributed
$4,000 for the purchase OF the mission
site in Fou-Chou The Chinese and
AT MS IbInllN were converted 10 tne
Methodist faith. and this was regarded
10y the Bishop as one OF the most note
worthy inc dents of his career.
Bishop Bowman was proud OF the fact
that lac had dedicated more than "A thou
sand churches in various parts OF the
word. In recent years he was member
OF Calvary NJ +. Church in East Orange
and from It's pulpit he had preached sew
eral times OF late. As preacher he was
a., specially noted for his appeals to Young
men.
lie made hts home in Orange with his
son-.u-.aw, t. u. Caldwell. Ipsident OF
the wills Fargo Express Company.
lshop Bowman married Miss Matilda
Hartman o. York. Pa, in 1872. She died
several years ago.
The funeral will take place on Friday
moru.ng at DE Paw University The SER
vices will b. conducted by the faculty. and
tee sermon will be preached by Bishop
John II. Long, lifelong friend OF Bishop
- wmar.