The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-04-29
Olivia Banker Passed Away
In ST. Paul
IS SUDDENLY STRICKEN
Suffered Loss of Both Limbs
And Hands In Blizzard
When A Boy 4,
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch. |

iASoOCldttu IIcSS DlSpdLCQ.I
st. Paul, April 25.-Michael Dowl-
ing, banker of Olivia, Mimi, famed
for his success in life after losing his
lower limbs and hands in early boy
hood, died at hospital here today.
He was fifty five years old.
For the past two and a half years
Mr.. Bowling had been touring thel
country in the interest of disabled
war veterans. Following the signing
of the armistice, he vent to England
at the request of the British govern
ment and the British Red Cross, and
for more than eight months lectured
to British war wounded on rehabili-
tstion problems. Death was due to
heart disease superinduced by exer-
tons on this tour, his physician said.
He had been in the hospital here two
weeks.
Mrs. Bowling with the three chill
dren was at the bedside this morning
when the end came. The funeral will
be held at Olivia, Thursday alter
noon.
Mr.. Dowling's Heroic Fight.
Suffering amputation of both legs
below the knee, his left arm and the
great part of his right hand, when
fourteen years old as result of ex-
posture in blizzard, Mr.. Bowling was
shortly afterward left an orphan and
became charge Of the county. He
couraged and began making plans to
overcome his handicap. He barga:L- 4
ed with the county commissioners
who became interested in his case
and sent him to Carleton college. His
rapid rise followed.
Tribute From Governor Preus.
81 am deeply grieved to learn of
the death of Mr.. Dowling," Governor
Preus said today.
"Mr. Bowling has been active in
public affairs of Minnesota for more
than quarter of century and his Z
influence has always been for good"
Well Known In Nation
Michael Bowling of Olivia was one
of the best known men in the north
west. He was born February II.
1866 at Huntington, Mass. He was
married in 1895 to Miss Jennie L.
Bodich. Suffering the loss of both
hands and legs through exposure in
| a blizzard, in Yellow Medicine Coun-
ty, this state the will power of this
wonderful man was evidenced by the
fact, that despite all of those handi-
caps, through sheer will power and
determination to win. he studied
forwards graduated from Carleton
College at Northfield In the years
that followed he was principal OF
the East Granite Falls and Renville
schools for a period of seven years.
Later he founded and published the
Renville Star Farmer. Later he was
| president of the Renville State Bank
and after nnvinp Tn Olivia mo
president of the Olivia state bank.
| He also served as chief clerk and
| later as speaker of the Minnesota
house of the legislature in 1900 and
1901. He was secretary of the Ma
tional Republican League from 1895
to 1897 and represented the United
States government on special mis-
system in the Philippine Islands in
| 1900.
Was Wonderful Man
During the world war Mr.. Bowling
| spoke at Mankato and other towns in
| this state on patriotic subjects, and
during that struggle also went over
seas and spoke to men manned in
war, cheering them with the fact
that the loss of limbs is no handicap
to succeed. During his life time,
Mr.. Bowling was member of the
Elks lodge
Mr.. Bowling has been prominently
mentioned as Republic candidate for
governor several times, and last fall
was among those who sought the
nomination. Many Mankato friends
as well as those living throughout
this section of the state will regret
to learn of Mr. Dowling's death. He
was wonderful man. strong intel
lectually and universally liked