The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-03-23
ANOTHER OLD SOLDIER GONE.
Mr.. W. I. Bowen Passed Away Last
Sunday Morning.

and best-loved citizens, died at the
home of his son, T. A. Bowen, near
Pickens last Sunday morning, March
10. Mr.. Bowen had been in declin-
ing health about two years, but was
only forced to go to bed March 9th
while on visit to his son and he
never got up again. Death was due
to complication of diseases. Funeral
services were held at the home of
Mr.. Il. A. Bowen and conducted by
Rev. D, M. Ramsey of Greenville,
Rev. f. r. Cox cf Pickcns and Rev.
Mr.. Sims Of Liberty. The body was
laid tc rest Sunday afternoon in the
Liberty cemetery.
Had he lived until the fifth day
of next May Mr.. Bowen would have
been 70 years Of age. IIc was born
near Tabor church in Pickens county.
He served valiantly in the Confcd-
crate army throughout the Civil war
and although in some Of the blooIicst
battles of that terrific struggle he
was never wounded, though on sew
cral occasions bullets passed through
his clothing. He was at the surrender
at Appcmattox and walked from there
to his Pickons county home in com
pany with Mr.. Alfred Taylor, father
cf Capt. j. Il. Taylor Of Fickens.
Upon his return from the war he
settled about three miles from where
Pickens now is and lived there until
his death.
Mr.. Bowen always took great in
terest in public affairs of his country,
but his greatest interest was in the
church. He was devout and con-
sistent member of the Baptist church
fer many years. At the time Of his
death he was deacon Of the Pickens
Baptist church and had been for a
long time. Before the Pickens church
was organized he helped build Sc
coma church and was deacon there.
He gave literally of both time and
money for the cause Of the Master
whom he loved So much.
Being a public spirited citizen and
a man of unusually good poise and
Judgment it was inevitable that he
should be called upon to serve the
people in public office. He served
two terms in the state house of rep
rcsentatives, one term in the state
senate and was member VI the
state constitutional convention in
1895. One thing which he did while
in the legislature and Of which he
was particularly proud was putting
through the bill which abolished sa-
looms in Pickens county 1t was only
after a hard fight that he was able
TO get the bill passed.
On December 25, 1867, Mr.. Bowen
married Miss Rcbccca Allgood, and
she with the following children sur
vivc him: Dr. ". j. Bowen, of Mount
Pleasant; Mrs. Lily B. Parsons Of
Fickcns; j. r. Bowen, oG Lccsburg,
Fla: Mrs. ". c. ODell, OF Liberty
and T. A. Bowen Of near Pickcns.
On, daumhtcr, Mrs. b. +, Robertson,
died about ten years ago. lie is also
survivcd by the following siStcvs aud
brcthcrs Mrs. i'lii5tt Nimmcrs cf
Seneca MIS- tsSac Nimmons, Of
DacusNi!lc; MIS-. H. a. Allgood OF
pickens; G. w. Howcn, Of Dacusvillc; :;
r. A. Bcwcn Of rickcns; n. H. Bow
On, Of Calhoun, Ga, and John Y, L..
Fl. and pickcns Bowen, Of Texas. All
Of Mr.. Bcwcn's children were at his
bedside when death came.
SiXty-fvc years ago a young sister
of Mr.. Bowen died and the death of
his brother Mr.. Hcccc Bowen last
spring was the first death i'll ti.s i'm
mediate family of eleven cs..ldrcn
since that time.
This soldier, patriot and christian
was man Of generous impulse and
never forgot the hcspitablc ways Of
the pioneer. No needy person was
ever turned away by him empty hand
ed. During reconstruction days h"
bore adversely bravcly and later he
enjoyed prosperity quietly. He filled
the various relations Of life as son.
husband, father, brother, friend and
filled them well. Who can do more? :?
Before the caskct which contained
the body of this good man was carried
to its last resting place & beautiful lau-
rel wreath, symbol of victory and
distinction tioJ with ConfnInroto ool