Central California Biographies

A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California : illustrated : containing 
a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its discovery to the 
present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future, illustrations and full-page portraits of 
some of its eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers, and prominent citizens of 
to-day (1893)

Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Author: Barrows, Henry D; Ingersoll, Luther A

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 


JOSEPH BOWIE, for many years a resident of San Juan, San Benito county, and 
one of the most successful merchants of the place, is a native of Montreal, Canada, 
born September 6, 1830. His parents, Alexander and Elizabeth (Arthur) Bowie, were 
natives of Scotland and of the north of Ireland, respectively, the latter being a daughter 
of William Arthur.  Alexander Bowie was a baker by trade. He came to California in 
1852, worked at his trade in Murphy's camp, and in 1857 came to San Juan. Joseph was 
twenty-three years of age when he landed in California. He mined in the diggings of 
Calaveras county about three years. In 1857 he came to San Juan and found employment 
on a stock ranch. He subsequently served six years as Deputy Sheriff of Santa Clara 
county, under Sheriff Adams, and during that time was stationed at the New Almaden 
quicksilver mines. He afterward served as Deputy Sheriff of old Monterey county, under 
Andy Wasson. Since 1877 he has been engaged in the merchandise business at San Juan. 

Of Mr. Bowie's family we record that he has one single sister, Eliza; Alexander, his 
brother, is in Europe; Agnes is the wife of J. P. Sargent, a prominent and wealthy 
rancher of Santa Clara county; Charlotte H. is the wife of S. W. Smith, of Monterey.