Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Portrait and Biographical Album of Huron County, Michigan Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884 [378-379] ANSON H. BOWMAN, farmer, section 20, Bloomfield Township, was born Feb. 28, 1844, in Dunn Township, Haldimand Co., Ont. He is the son of JOSEPH and SARAH M. (FURLER) BOWMAN. His mother resides on section 3, Bloomfield Township, and was born in 1826. His father died during the early youth of his son, at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., where he is buried. He was a farmer all his active life. MR. BOWMAN was brought up to the vocation of his father, and on reaching his majority he rented a farm, which he continued to man- age four years, after which he operated as foreman of the place until 1873, when he came to Huron County. He entered the employ of LANGDON HUBBARD, clearing land and logging in his interest five years. In 1878 he bought 160 acres of land in Huron Township, on section 33. Later he sold the place, all but 40 acres, which he retains, with 40 acres on section 4; and on this he has since lived and labored. He has about 20 acres cleared, a good frame house, a barn and a small orchard. His marriage to SARAH ANGELINA CROSBY occurred Aug. 29, 1865. Their children were born as follows: PALMER E., July 18, 1866; ALMEDA J., Jan. 26,1868; ANSON H., Jan. 22, 1870; WALTER A. and ROBERT A., twins, March 26, 1872; AMELIA A., March 3, 1874; ALMOND M., Sept. 15, 1876; NELLIE A., Feb. 27, 1880; WILLIAM C., March 16, 1882; FLORA D., April 14, 1884. ROBERT A., one of the twins, died in July following his birth. MRS. BOWMAN was born June 23, 1849, in Haldimand Co., Ont. Her parents, JOHN and MARY A. (WATERS) CROSBY, are living in Ontario. Their children are eight in number. MR. BOWMAN is a Republican, and has served as Treasurer of the township seven terms, as Justice of the Peace one year, and in several other positions. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. The family suffered indescribable horrors during the fire of 1881. The fifth of September found them waiting, in terrified sus- pense, whatever fate was in store for them. The flames were already in possession of various parts of the farm, and at noon was upon them. To save the house, MR. BOWMAN drew water from the well until it was dry. On the failure of the water, the house soon caught, and was abandoned by the family, who sought safety in a summer fallow, the father removing the box of a lumber wagon, which he propped against the wheels to form a shelter. The inaction and waiting for seeming destruction was a fearful thing to endure, and MR. BOWMAN at last re-adjusted his wagon, "hitched up" and started in a west- erly direction, only to encounter intense heat. After traversing a distance of about two miles, they met a man who informed them of the total destruction of everything in that direction, and they re- traced their route. Returning to the summer fallow, the wagon-box was again made to do duty as a protection, and they passed the night under its shelter. In the morning a man named RICHARD FORE- MAN, who was sent out from Port Hope to look for possible suffer- ers, came to them. He had expected to find all the settlers lost in the fire of the day previous, and up to that time had discovered seven dead bodies, as follows: MR. LEMAN and his son ALFRED, aged 17 years; ALBERT JONCH and wife; MINNIE MOSS and her brother and sister, children who had become separated from their parents in the smoke. Mr. and Mrs. MOSS were saved. The bodies were found between Port Hope and Kinch's Corners, together with a large number of dead cattle, hogs and sheep. The loss of MR. BOWMAN included two cows, eight hogs, his house, barn and stable, 12,000 feet of lumber, six acres of oats and five acres of peas. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================