In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1908) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1866
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908), A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902)
C. J. BOWLUS.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
It is in the county of his nativity that Mr. Bowlus has attained distinction, for he was born in Clark county upon a farm, December 17, 1866, his parents being George C. and: Barbara (Crabill) Bowlus. The father was born in Maryland in 1841 and in his boyhood days came to this county with his father, Captain Samuel H. Bowlus, and settled on the old Urbana pike. The grandfather was a farmer by occupation and improved one of the finest farms in Clark county. A man of forceful individuality, unwavering in support of his honest convictions and ever loyal to what he believed to be right, he commanded the respect and confidence of all who knew him. When, according to his political convictions, he had reason to change his position he became a Democrat, having previously been a stalwart Whig. However, with equal fervency he became devoted to the principles of the Democracy, affiliating with the latter party up to the time of his death, which occurred November 26, 1896, at Bowlusville, which is on the county line. He took a very active part in the Vallandingham campaign and gave a barbecue, which he conducted with great success, attracting thousands of people. His wife bore the maiden name of Lucinda Michael. She was a native of Maryland, and possessed many excellent qualities of heart and mind. She, too, passed away at Bowlusville in the year 1896.
George C. Bowlus, the father of our subject; was reared to manhood on the old family homestead in this county, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. Throughout the period of his youth he also assisted his father in the work of the home farm, and after he put aside his text books he carried on agricultural pursuits on his own account for a number of years. He afterward removed to Springfield, where he has now made his home for some time and at present is serving as superintendent of the city prison. His wife is a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Joseph Crabill, who was also born in the Keystone state.
Charles J. Bowlus of this review spent his early boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period, performing the duties of the school room, enjoying the pleasures of the playground and assisting in the work of the field and meadow during the periods of vacation. On leaving the farm he took up his above in Springfield and has since been identified with its mercantile interests.’ He first secured a clerkship in a grocery store conducted by C. C. Funk, now deceased, with whom he remained for several years, and afterward he engaged in clerking for other parties. His enterprise and industry at length brought to him sufficient capital to enable him to begin business on his own account in 1888, and he established a wholesale fruit and produce store on High street, there carrying on a large and successful trade. In 1897 he entered into partnership with William R. Hackett under the name of the Bowlus Fruit Company, doing a general commission business, dealing in wholesale specialties. They handle potatoes, cabbages, bananas, apples, strawberries and melons and their trade covers a radius of one hundred miles. They receive their goods in car-load lots from all parts of the United States, from Maine to California, and from Canada to the Gulf. On the 31st of March, 1887, Mr. Bowlus was married to Miss Fanny Lee Duvall, of Springfield, a daughter of William’ H. and Sarah (Bingham) Duvall. By this union were born three sons: Roger C., now a student in Kenyon Military Academy; William D.; and Charles J. They also lost an infant daughter named Thelma.
In religious belief both Mr. and Mrs. Bowlus are Episcopalians, being members of the church of the Heavenly Rest, of which he is junior warden, and he is also a director of the Young Men’s Christian Association, taking an active interest in that line of work. Fraternally he is connected with Red Star Lodge, K. P. and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
He is also a member of the Commercial Club and is a director of the Board of Trade and of the Episcopal hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has interested himself in matters pertaining to the history of Clark county and was a member of the committee on city government and its departments at the centennial anniversary held in Springfield in 1901. In his political affiliations he has always been a Democrat and for two years following the election of April, 1899, he was mayor of Springfield, his administration being commendable because it was business-like, practical and progressive, many important movements and measures being executed during that time, His life has been one of exceptional activity and usefulness and has been characterized by the most unswerving integrity and honor. He began life as a poor boy and has made a success not only as a business man, but also as a respected resident of Springfield.
As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
George C. Bowlus, one of the leading real estate men of Springfield, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and in about 1851 came to Clark County with his father. Captain Samuel H. Bowlus, who was a member of a local military company of Maryland and subsequently became a farmer and grain dealer in this county.
Charles J. Bowlus was reared and obtained his educational training in Clark County, and early in life became a grocery clerk in Springfield, where he subsequently engaged in the wholesale fruit business. In 1891: the Bowlus Fruit Company, well known wholesale and retail dealers of foreign and domestic fruits and produce, was established, and is now recognized as one of the leading business enterprises of the city. Mr. Bowlus is also interested in various other enterprises of the city, among them the well known Ridgely Trimmer Company, of which he is vice president and a director. He has always taken an active interest in the political affairs of the city and served his first term as mayor of Springfield from 1899 to 1901. He was again elected mayor in 1903, serving until 1905.
On March 31, 1887, Mr. Bowlus was joined in marriage with Fannie Lee Duvall, of Springfield, and four children were born of this union: Roger C.; William D., who is attending college at Elberton, Georgia: Charles J., Jr., and Thelma, who died in infancy.
Fraternally Mr. Bowlus is a thirty-second degree Mason, holding lodge membership at Dayton; he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Commercial Travelers. He is a director of the Children's Hospital, of Cincinnati, and, religiously, is affiliated with the Heavenly Rest Episcopal Church, of which he is vestryman.
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Joseph Crabill (b. 1862) Samuel H. Bowlus
Their biographies name Charles J. Bowlus: Robert N. Lantz (b. 1868)
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.