Obituary Record

William R Bowen
Died on 5/6/1899

Bowen, William R., 62

Buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery

Published in Blair Republican on 11 May 1899

Veteran

TRAGIC DEATH OF WM. R. BOWEN OF OMAHA

ILL HEALTH AND THE WORRY OF BUSINESS DRIVE HIM TO SUICIDE

Last Saturday forenoon a servant girl found the dead body of Mr. Bowen in the cellar of his residence; by his side lay a revolver and the fatal shot had passed through the head causing instant death. No inquest was deemed necessary. he leaves a wife and six children. Only one month ago the funeral of his aged mother, Mrs. J. S. Bowen, took place in this city. This news was a severe shock to his relatives and a multitude of friends. Of his sisters, Mrs. John Smiley resides in Omaha, Miss Lucy Bowen in this city. There is a brother in Colorado, Harry lives in Chicago and George in this city. He was 62 years of age and the best known Mason in the state. In 1862 he enlisted in the First Neb. Cavalry, doing duty on the frontier but never was an officer as stated in the World Herald. For 26 years past he has been the able grand secretary of the grand lodge of Nebraska and as a 33rd degree mason was authority on all important matters connected with the order. Beside deceased had been at time a member of the state fair board, of the G.A.R. Post of this city and the Neb. Pioneer Association.

Five hundred masons and their immediate families attended the burial services on Tuesday afternoon at Masonic Temple. After addresses by prominent past grand masters the burial took place at Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Note: FindaGrave Memorial # 19881223. The following is on the FindaGrave record:

Born in Coatsville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Married Lila Storrs. Enlisted at Florence on Oct. 1, 1860 in Co. A 2nd Reg. Nebraska Volunteers and was mustered out Sept. 21 1863. Reenlisted on Apr. 30 1864 in Co. D 1st Battalion Nebraska Veteran Volunteers and was released on June 1, 1866. Was the Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. for 27 years. Lived at 2709 Dodge Street.

Printed in the Blair Republican on 5/11/1899


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