Putnam patriot., 1919-12-12
ALLEN w. BOWEN
 DIED ON FRIDAY
Was At One Time Manager of Putnam Light and Power
 Company
Poo~ Health Kept Him From Rising to Greater Prominence In the
 Business World

Allen Wood Bowen, for many years resident of Putnam. died in Nor wich last Friday night. He had been in poor health for many years.
 Nr. Bowen was a prominent citizen of Putnam and for IS years was con nected with the Putnam Gas Company and later the Putnam Light & Power Company. He had held public offices. always took an interest in public af- fairs, and was an active member of the Second Congregational church. Hr. Bowen had reached a considera- ble prominence in the business world when failing health was the cause of his resigning a fine position in Ware, Mass. While he held an important position in Putnam for some years it was only because of physical ills that he was unable to reach the promi- hence that otherwise his ability would have assured.
 MT. Bowen was a pleasant gentle man to meet. Although for years a sufferer, he always greeted his friends with smile or cheery word and bore his affliction silently. He was fond of young people and as probation officer of the city and truant officer of the town did conscientious work and was ever ready to listen to any complaint and to give his time and eff forts to better the conditions of any boy or girl that came under his obser- vation in his official capacity.
 Mr Bowen was born in Manchester. Va, across the river from Richmond His parents were northerners, how ever, and were only in the south a few years. When Mir. Bowen was but seven years old the family returned north and located in Slaterville, Mass. His father was Alfred and his mother Mary (Northup) Bowen.
 After eight years the family remov- ed to Putnam where Mir Bowen's fa- ther was engaged as machinist in the old Manhasset mill Mir. Bowen was one of the first class of the Putnam High school and the first year the school was kept in Union block. The following year it removed to the building now used by the town and city across the river on Church street.
 Finishing his education Mir. Bowen went to Ware, Mass. He rose rapidly and finally became assistant superin- 1 tendent of the Otis Corporation con-l trolling five mills, including cotton and hosiery factories. Failing health necessitated his giving up this prom inent and responsible position and he returned to Putnam and for two years rested and recuperated.
 Mr. Bowen then became connected with the Putnam Gas Company and remained with it after the electric lighting department was installed. In all, his services with the company eX- tended over a period of Is years and he rose to be secretary, treasurer and general manager of the concern. When hs retired from active connec- tion with the company he was made vice president and held that office un- til the concern was taken over by new interests.
 December 18th, Christmas Day, 1879, Mr Bowen married Miss Hat tie Carpenter, daughter of the late John Carpenter, a prominent citizen of Putnam. She also was a member of the first class of the Putnam High school The wedding ceremony was performed by the late Rev. c. s. Brooks, at that time pastor of the C Congregational church.
 Mir. Bowen was a member of the church and was active in it's affairs. He attended church and mid-week regularly and held several church offices, being deacon for period of eight years.
 Mir. Bowen, besides being proba- ton officer and truant officer, was an assessor for a number of years. He was a slaunch Republican and, while he would not have been called active politically, was in touch with affairs and always willing to give his aid to the party.
 Besides his wife Mir. Bowen is sur viyed by a sister, Miss Ada Bowen, and two brothers, Walter and George Bowen, all of Willlmantic.
 The funeral service was held in the chanel of the Congregational church