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Below is a family biography included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  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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CHRISTIAN BOWMAN.
Among the early business men of Topeka, Kansas, for years a very prominent factor in the city’s commercial life, was the late Christian Bowman, who was born March 2, 1829, being one of a family of two children born to his parents, who were of German descent and natives of Pennsylvania.

In 1857 Mr. Bowman came to Kansas, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, taking up a claim in Anderson County. Later he moved to Lawrence and subsequently to Topeka, where, in 1866, just prior to the Quantrell raid, he organized the clothing and gents’ furnishings business at No. 533 Kansas avenue, which grew to such large proportions. Mr. Bowman built the handsome block which is now occupied by the Moffitt furniture store and became the owner of much property, having invested largely in real estate in this city. In 1894 he retired from business and occupied himself for the succeeding eight years of his life in looking after investments, in leisurely travel and in the quiet social enjoyments in accordance with his years. The death of Mr. Bowman took place at his home at No. 426 Harrison street, Topeka, on March 7, 1902.

In 1860, Mr. Bowman was married to Mary Sutliff, who survives, with three children, viz: Clarence S., one of Topeka’s leading business men, residing at No. 911 West 10th avenue, who is assistant cashier of the First National Bank; Orville S., of Kansas City; and Mrs. W. A. Potter, of St. Paul, Minnesota. Politically, Mr. Bowman was a Republican. Fraternally, he was a Mason.

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This family biography is one of 206 biographies included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  For the complete description, click here: Shawnee County, Kansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Shawnee County, Kansas family biographies here: Shawnee County, Kansas

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