The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-14

Mr. Munsey was born on an lnterVai
farm about two miles out OF Mercer
village. The old fashioned house Is
remembered by some of the older resi-
dents but it was gone long ago and
few scraggy apple trees and rem
nants of cellar wall are all that re-
main to mark the spot where this
distinguished journalist was born. His
fathers name was Andrew. He was
a carpenter by trade but his principal
occupation was that of a farmer
sister of Andrew Munsey's, married
Jonathan Young whose farm was In
the adjoining town of Smithfield, about
ten miles away. Andrew was often
at the Young home and had more or
less dealing with his brother-in-law
Other members of the family includ-
ing the children exchanged frequent
visits. Mrs. Shurburn, formerly Miss
Ellen Young, and her brother Henry
often played with the Munsey child
rem They remember Frank as just
common kid. There was nothing
precocious about him and nothing to
indicate that he would ever do any
thing In the world more than the
average farmers boy. The Andrew
Munsey family moved to Bowdoin
when Frank was only five years old
and the farm passed into the hands OF
George Cover who died In Farming
ton about twelve years ago. 1t was
during his ownership. that the Munsey
homestead was demolished. The
Munsey family did not stay long In
Bowdoin but went from there to Liv-
ermore Falls and later to Lisbon Falls.
1t was in these two towns that Frank
obtained all the schooling which he
ever had He went to Augusta as a
telegraph operator and from there to
New York City. His career as pub
Usher and capitolist since going to
New York is too we'll known to war
rant repetition. 1t Is said that he
has never been In Somerset county
since the family moved to Bowdoin.
The southwestern portion of SOM
erset county seems to have been pro-
life in journalistic talent. Munsey
without doubt the most distinguished
man originating in the county In the
priting trade, was born in Mercer. The
adjoining town OF Smithfield was the
birthplace of Charles II, Bowden
whose success in the printing line has
been very striking. His father
Benjamin d. Bowden, was born in Nor
ridgewock, working on the home farm
until 10, going to California in 1852
to engage in gold mining for nine
years. Charles H. Bowden's mother
wife of Benjamin d. just mentioned
was Della j. Farrand a native of Mer-
GER After her marriage to Benjamin
ID. Bowden, the family moved to Sid
ney, earring on the farm there for
four years. 1t was there that Josie
A., who became Mrs. Smith and died
in Bingham in August 1915, was born
From Sidney the family moved tc
Smithfield where Benjamin ID. con.
Quoted a general store for several
years. 1t was during this time thai
Charles H., the subject of this sketch
was born. When Charles was two
years old, the family moved to Mercer
where they remained for ten years
In order to provide better school facil
tiles for their SON and daughter, Mr.
and Mrs. Bowden moved to Pittsfield
in 1886, and here Charles H. was grad
uated from the Maine Central Institute
in the class of 1891. He entered thu
office of DR.. Bryant to study dentistr!
but did not take very kindly to thu
business. He had chum, Altor
White, pressman in the Office Of thu
Pittsfield Advertiser. This led to hi
employment as devil ip the ADVERTISE
office and, as Mr.. Bowden modestly re