History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, 
from U. S. Gov't Survey to Present Time, with Biographical Sketches
Dessureau. Antigo, WI: Berner Brothers, 1922, p 305
Submitted by Cathy Kubly

George J. BOWLER, attorney, was born 19 July 1879 at Sparta [Monroe County, Wisconsin], son of John and Johanna BOWLER.  The John BOWLER family is listed in the 1880 Federal Census for Wiscosin for Lafayette Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin (dwelling eight, family eight, pages seven and eight).  The father, John BOWLER, whose occupation was farming, was born in Ireland about 1840 (date calculated from his age, fifty-three years, given in the 1880 census).  John BOWLER's wife, "Johannah," as her name is spelled in the census, was also born in Ireland, and was forty years old in 1880.

The two oldest children listed in the 1880 census are:  (1)  William, nineteen years of age, born in Massachusetts, by calculation about 1861; and (2)  Katie, age fourteen years, born in Massachusetts, about 1866.  The remaining children were all born in Wisconsin according to the census notations.  They are:  (3)  Thomas, age twelve years, born about 1868; (4)  Edward, ten years of age, born about 1870; (5)  Timothy, age eight years, born about 1872; (6)  Daniel, six years, born about 1874; (7)  John, age four, born about 1876; (8)  James, two years of age, born about 1878; and George, the subject of this sketch, one year old.  The 1880 Federal census data agrees with the date and place of George J. BOWLER's birth given above, 19 July 1879 in Sparta, Monroe County, Wisconsin.]

George BOWLER attended the public schools and graduated from Sparta High School in 1895.  Mr. BOWLER was employed as a farmer, taught school, and traveled as a representative of the International Harvester Company.  He entered the University of Wisconsin Law School, from which he was graduated in 1903.

George J. BOWLER has been engaged as a practicing attorney at Antigo [Langlade County, Wisconsin], since 1913, and was City Attorney [of Antigo] in 1914.  He previously practiced law with James J. BOWLER, of Sparta [Wisconsin]; Timothy and E. R. BOWLER, of Sheboygan [Sheboygan County, Wisconsin; and C. A. A. McGEE, of Milwaukee.  [Were any of these, specifically James BOWLER, Timothy BOWLER, or E. R. BOWLER, if the "E." means Edward, brothers of George J. BOWLER?]

George J. BOWLER is active in Wisconsin Democratic politics; in 1912 he was chairman of the Speakers' Bureau for the [Democratic] State Central Committee.  Attorney BOWLER is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus lodges.  [Although no religious affiliation is mentioned, membership in the K. of C. implies George J. BOWLER was Catholic.]

[Another BOWLER family is recorded on the next page of the 1880 Federal Census, also living in Lafayette Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin.  Unknown to submitter, who is not researching this family, if or how the two families are related.  The other family is that of Patrick and Cathrine BOWLER.  Patrick, age 45, and Cathrine, age 40, were both born in Ireland.  Their children, all born in Wisconsin, are:  Hannah, fourteen years of age; John, nine; Catherine, age seven years; Ellen, four; and Patrick.]