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Below is a family biography included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published by Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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BOWMAN, DANIEL, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 36, P.O. Rockbridge, is a native of Bourbon County, Ky., born July 21, 1811; is the fifth child of a family of eleven children born of George and Margaret B.; her maiden name was Smock. At an early age removed with his family to Ohio, locating in Warren County; his father was a farmer, and raised his boys in the same line. Daniel’s entire school term can be summed up in the space of six months, and what education he now has, has been acquired by burning the midnight oil, and in the active practice of business life; after he became of age made a trip to this county, the Spring of the “deep snow,” remaining until the Fall, when he took the chills, and returned to Ohio; was married in Ohio Sept. 15, 1839, to Catharine Meneely, by whom he had eight children, but three are now living: Joanna, born March 22, 1839; Albert, born July 18, 1841; Lucius, born Dec. 6, 1844. After his marriage, was engaged in a paper mill during the day, and at night employed his time in studying; having a desire to study medicine he began with Dr. Drake, who gave him all the assistance in his power; remained with him until he completed his course, and then attended lectures. In the year 1836, he removed to this county, first located west of Carrollton, where he raised two crops, then moved to the section he now lives on, first bought 80 acres of land, and has since added to the same until he now has 320 acres, which he has since farmed; has practiced medicine since his arrival, but of late years has declined riding except in special cases; has been engaged for several years past in stock raising in conjunction with his farming. The Doctor lost his first wife April 23, 1838; married the second time to Hester Ann Meisner, had four children, three now living: Mary V., born March 1, 1852, died Dec. 20, 1874; Julia E., born May 29, 1855; Lincoln, born March 11, 1860; Virgil R., born Jan. 13, 1864. The Doctor has been long and favorably known in this county, as one of the staunch men of his township; is a man of excellent information, has written a treatise on botany, and has given the matter a deal of study; is a man of strong will power, and has a high regard for his word, and is among that class whose honor stands first, —policy afterward. Is a member of Sheffield Lodge A. F. and A. M., No. 178.

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This family biography is one of 744 biographies included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Greene County, Illinois

View additional Greene County, Illinois family biographies here: Greene County, Illinois Biographies

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