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A. R. Hogue: Part Two, Personal Sketches, p. 77 - 79
The Bowdens
ELIAS BOWDEN was the son of John Bowden, a native of Franklin County,
North Carolina. When a young man he enlisted in the army and served five years, which
included the war of 1812 with England. After the war he was sent with the command to drive
the whites off the Indian lands in East Tennessee, or Georgia; later was sent to Missouri,
and was at St. Louis, then a fort, having been one of the old French forts. They went from
there up the Missouri to make a treaty with the Indians. At the end of the five years he
was discharged, and in 1818 came to Fentress County and hired to work to Bailey Owen, who
lived near Boatland on the East Fork of Obeds River. Soon afterwards he married Mary Owen,
a daughter of Bailey Owen. He bought and settled the farm where Ferry Hinds now lives
below Boatland. He and his wife spent the remainder of their lives on this farm, and were
buried at what is now the Dr. Chism cemetery.
Eight children were born to them--three girls and five boys --viz., Polly, Miley and Nicey
Ann; William B., Joshua S., Elias W., Bailey 0. and Sampson V.
Polly Bowden married Clark Franklin, a tailor. She died in Kentucky.
Miley married Gwyn Stephens, a farmer. They
lived for awhile on Cumberland Mountain, in the south end of the county, and later moved
to Kentucky, where they both died many years ago.
Nicey Ann married Granville Gwyn. They went to Missouri, then to Texas, and died there.
W. B. BOWDEN.
W. B. Bowden was trustee of Fentress County two terms, and served one term as a member of
the State Legislature in the latter part of the 70's. He was a member of the county court
for many years.
He married Sallie Franklin, and lived on a farm he owned on the river above Boatland, now
owned by James E. Beaty. He and his wife are
both buried in the cemetery on this farm. Near the cemetery is an Indian mound, from which
some Indian relies have been taken.
Mr. Bowden was a very clever man and much loved by his neighbors. It is said that he never
laughed nor cried. He sometimes smiled, but never laughed aloud, yet he was always
pleasant and agreeable. He read a great deal and kept well informed.
p. 78: JOSHUA BOWDEN.
Joshua Bowden married Polly Ann Stephens,
who is still living. He was a farmer and a shoe and boot maker. He taught school for
several years when a young man. He died on his farm near Glenobey a few years ago.
p. 78: Elias W. BOWDEN.
E. W. Bowden married Emma Mullinix, a
daughter of Eli Mullinix. He followed
farming, and lived on the old Elias Bowden farm until shortly before his death a few years
ago. He served for several years as Justice of the Peace in the first district. His widow
is still living.
p. 78: SAMPSOM V. BOWDEN.
S. V. Bowden lived on the farm until he went with his hrother, B. O. Bowden, to Mt.
Cumberland and Hiawassee College.
He was elected a member of the legislature in 1861, and after the fall of Fort Donaldson,
in 1562, he went with the ledislature to Memphis, at the request of the Governor, Isham G.
Harris. He succeeded his brother, B. O. Bowden, as Clerk and Master of Fentress County. He
studied and practiced law at Jamestown. Later he became a clerk in the pension office at
Knoxville, and served fourteen years. He died in Knoxville a few years ago and was buried
in Gay cemetery.
P. 79: BAILEY OWEN BOWDEN.
B. O. Bowden was born in 1834, near Boatland. He worked on the farm with his father, Elias
Bowden, until he was twenty-two. He then entered Mount Cumberland Academy. which was
located in the Poplar Cove in Fentress County, and attended three sessions. He then went
to Hiawassee College, walking eighty-five miles to reach the school. He remained in this
school two years and six months, when the Civil War broke out. He then enlisted in the
Federal army and served to the close of the war, and took part in the battles of
Nashville, Franklin and others.
He was the first Clerk and Master in Fentress County after the war, receiving his
appointment in 1865. In 1867 he was married to Mary Catherine Sproul, a graduate of
Rogersville Female College. After serving as Clerk and Master, he went to Hiawassee
College and taught seven years in that institution. He taught two years at Columbus,
Kansas, and six years, from 1588 to 1894, at Alpine Institute, in Overton County,
Tennessee. His wife and his daughter, Nora Deane Roberts, and his son-in-law, Hen. A. H.
Roberts, the present Chancellor Judge of this district, were associated with him in this
school. This school, under their management, became the most valuable educational
institution in the mountain country. Many men and women in Fentress and adjoining counties
owe their success to this institution.
B. O. Bowden lives at Livingston, Tennessee.
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