THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
151 
THOMAS W. BOWMAN. 
Close of a Long and Active Career as Nurseryman and States, 
man—Prominent In the Maine Legislature and In Commercial 
Circles In Several Cities — The Large Business In 
Rochester to be Continued by the Two Sons. 
The funeral of Thomas W. Bowman was held at his late residence, 
1669 Main St. East, Rochester. N. Y , Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 25th 
last. The house was thronged with friends and the floral offerings 
were many and beautiful. Under the auspices of his associates the 
services throughout were conducted in a very fitting and impressive 
manner, and at the grave they were entirely in charge of Genesee Falls 
Lodge, No. 507, F. & A. M., of which the deceased was a respected 
member, having been dimitted to this Lodge from the Evening Star 
Lodge, No. 107, of Buckfield, Me., which latter lodge he organized, 
and was a Past Master of. 
Mr. Bowman has had a very eventful and notable career, one that 
will always staud out as an animation and inspiration for every person 
who desires to look to all that is noble and 
elevating. His character, strength of 
mind and strict adherence to all that was 
good and honorable was not only a by 
word of his every thought and action 
among his personal associates, but with 
those wherever he was situated, even 
when entire strangers, or with the trade 
in general, or with his closest friends. 
His Early Life. 
Born of a representative new England 
family December 31st, 1837, in Sidney. 
Me., he had all of the trials and hardships 
to endure that a boy of no means what¬ 
ever has to encounter in starting out in 
life. The results that have attended his 
efforts show how well he improved every 
slight opportunity that befell his lot. His 
schooling was very slight, inasmuch as it 
was possible for him simply to attend 
during the winter months, and not over 
three months during any year, and after 
15 he was obliged to cease attending. 
During the other months of the year he 
worked on the farm and in the woods. 
After that he started out single handed 
and without a cent, and went to Boston, 
securing a position with an agricultural 
hardware firm where he remained, except 
for a short time working in the shipyards, 
until the fall of 1859, when he first started 
to canvass as salesman for nursery stock, working a few weeks, and 
then delivering the orders the following spring. The folio wing year he 
devoted a portion of his time to this work in partnership with another 
well known nurseryman, also in 1861. He then entered as the prin¬ 
cipal partner in the general store business in Maine, and continued in 
this till 1870, working at that wholly except during a portion of the 
year he devoted some of his time to the nursery business. During 
these years he was Councilman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor for 
the town of Buckfield, Me. 
Elected to Legislature. 
In 1864 he was elected to the Maine legislature, being intimately 
associated with John D. Long, ex Secretary of the navy, and later as 
his term was about ending formed the acquaintance of Thomas B. Reed, 
ex Speaker of the House of Representatives. During this exciting 
period there were many very important bills considered by the com¬ 
mittee of which he was a member, and he used to tell with a great 
deal of satisfaction of the rapidity with which all maiters were 
handled. To the committee of which he was chairman was referred 
the emancipation proclamation. The scenes enacted while that bill 
was in committee and when reported to the assembly were lively and 
strenuous beyond description. His wonderfu activity in the com¬ 
mercial world was characteristic of his legislative career. To all of 
these offices he was urgently requested to allow his name to be used 
for successive terms, but pressure of business prevented him lrom so 
doing. 
In 1870 he opened a nursery office in Canada in company with one 
of the largest firms in the country. This business continued for 
thirteen years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, during which 
time a very large trade was built up. 
In 1883 Mr. Bowman came to Rochester, N. Y. sorting on his own 
account, not only selling through salesmen in the United States and 
Canada, but also 'he growing of stock. Since then under his careful 
supervision, having done everything on sound principles, dealing 
honestly and squarely with all, it is a pleasure to look upon the results 
of his achievements and the facilities that his foresight and skill have 
placed at the command of those to whom this very satisfactory busi¬ 
ness has been left. 
Others Learn From Him. 
It is a self evident proof of Mr. Bowman’s keenness and ability and 
knowledge of the nursery business, when it may be stated that there 
are several of the successful nursery 
firms in the United States and Canada 
whose proprietors received their first 
knowledge of the nursery business under 
the guidance of Mr. Bowman, first on the 
road with him personally, and later in his 
office, and that many of his former em¬ 
ployees hold responsible positions with 
other nursery firms, thus helping to sprtad 
the example of his energy and sound 
business dealings throughout the country. 
When reaching Rochester, he immed¬ 
iately placed his letter with the Park Ave. 
Baptist Church, where he has always 
been held in the highest esteem, having 
held the position of deacon for many 
years. His interest in the church work 
was marked by constant activity in all 
its branches. 
Mr. Bowman was a member of the 
Western New York Horticultural Society, 
American Association of Nurserymen, and 
the Eastern Nurserymen’s Association. 
He leaves a widow and two sons, 
Claude Y. and Victor V., and a large 
circle of friends to mourn his loss. The 
business known as Thomas Bowman & 
Son will be continued by the two sons. 
Sons Will Continue. 
It might just here be mentioned 
that since February, 1897, at which 
time the business was styled Thomas W. Bowman & Son, his son, 
Claude V. B iwman, has been the executive head of the business, Mr. 
Bowman giving the major part of his attention since that time to the 
extensive plantings. Prior to that time young Mr. Bowman, for a 
period of about eleven years, had been enthusiastically employed in 
securing a practical knowledge of the business. Inheriting thrifty 
qualities, he was ever encouraged by his father in his efforts for prac¬ 
tical experience, the always keen forethought of the father manifesting 
itself in the careful preparation for the inevitable surrender, we know 
not when. During his vacations, and the busy shipping seasons, at 
which time he left school to assist his father, and gain experience from 
temporary opportunity, young Mr Bowman has always manifested 
the greatest interest in the development of the business. Being of a 
studious disposition he made the most of his time spent in school, and 
was graduated from the High School of Rochester at an uncommonly 
early age. 
Claude V. Bowman’s Experience. 
Great credit is due young Mr. Bowman for the present substantial 
standing of the firm. It is generally acknowledged that the relations 
existing between father and son were uncommonly strong, and the im- 
THO.V1AS W. BOWMAN. 
