Thomas Bowes born Preemption, Mercer county ILL Nov 5, 1847
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, ILL
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Thomas Bowes, a general farmer on section 19, Bowling township, was born in Preemption, Mercer county ILL., November 5, 1847. His father Robert, Sr., was born in county Fermanagh, Ireland, married there Miss Jane Adams, a native of the same county, and had eight children, two of whom died in Ireland before the emigration of the family to this country in 1846. On comming to the New World, they first located in Galena, ILL., afterward removed to Preemption, and three years subsequently into Edgington township, this county, and finally in 1849 to Bowling township, where Mr. B purchased a quarter-section of land on sections 19 and 30 and settled upon the same. He is now 77 years old and is residing with his son Thomas, his wife having died in June, 1875.
Our subject, Mr. Thomas Bowes, was the only member of the family who was born in America, and is therefore the youngest. He remained at home until his marriage, being educated in Bowling township and at Rock Island. He was married in the latter city Feb, 11, 1869, to Miss Cossa A. Ball, who was born in Greene county, Ohio Nov 10, 1845. Her parents resided in that state until their deaths, and she afterwards came to Illinois, locating near Taylor Ridge, this county; a short time afterward she removed to Rock Island, where she learned the art of dress-making. The only living child of Mr. and Mrs. Bowes is Thomas E., who was born Feb 9, 1870. Two are deceased, namely: Lenna W.., born June 5 1873, died March 1, 1874, before he was a year old; and Dottie A., who was born December 12, 1876, and died March 13, 1881.
After his marriage, Mr. Bowes located on the homestead, where he now owns 80 acres of land. He has erected a fine residence for himself, he has also a good barn and other farm buildings. The family are connected to the Episcopal church.
Mr. Bowes held the offices of Township Collector, etc., and in his political views sympathizes with the republican party.