William Henry Bowman, 86, of Ararat, Virginia, retired postmaster and one of Patrick County's most prominent citizens, passed away Tuesday evening at 7:10 o'clock.
He had been in ill health for several months.
Mr. Bowman was born June 2, 1872, the son of William Daniel and Margaret Jane Haley Bowman. On January 2, 1907, he was married to Miss Elsie Elizabeth Hiatt who survives. Also surviving are two sons - Ralph C. Bowman of the home and Canon R Bowman of Burlington; one daughter Mr. G.E.(Icy) Brown of Ararat, Virginia, two grandchildren and one sister Mrs. S.D. Smith of Mt. Airy.
Mr. Bowman received his education at Friends Mission School and taught in the Patrick County schools for several years.
He was active in religious and community activities. he organized a non-denominational Sunday school at Pine Grove School and invited Friends Presbyterian Methodist and Baptist ministers to conduct worship services. This developed into the Doe Run Baptist Church, one of the largest rural congregations in the county.
He served as Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, clerk and secretary of Monthly Meeting of Friends. He was a member of Mount Airy Friends Meeting.
It was through his influence that the first rural mail route was established in Ararat, this being one of the first in Patrick County. Mr. Bowman was appointed carrier on July 15, 1904 and served for 15 years. He served as postmaster of The Hollow, VA for 20 years, was appointed acting postmaster, June 15, 1921 and served until his retirement on March 31, 1941 making a total of 35 years in the postal service.
He owned and operated Mountain Orchards and also several farms in the community.
He had been in ill health for several months.
Mr. Bowman was born June 2, 1872, the son of William Daniel and Margaret Jane Haley Bowman. On January 2, 1907, he was married to Miss Elsie Elizabeth Hiatt who survives. Also surviving are two sons - Ralph C. Bowman of the home and Canon R Bowman of Burlington; one daughter Mr. G.E.(Icy) Brown of Ararat, Virginia, two grandchildren and one sister Mrs. S.D. Smith of Mt. Airy.
Mr. Bowman received his education at Friends Mission School and taught in the Patrick County schools for several years.
He was active in religious and community activities. he organized a non-denominational Sunday school at Pine Grove School and invited Friends Presbyterian Methodist and Baptist ministers to conduct worship services. This developed into the Doe Run Baptist Church, one of the largest rural congregations in the county.
He served as Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, clerk and secretary of Monthly Meeting of Friends. He was a member of Mount Airy Friends Meeting.
It was through his influence that the first rural mail route was established in Ararat, this being one of the first in Patrick County. Mr. Bowman was appointed carrier on July 15, 1904 and served for 15 years. He served as postmaster of The Hollow, VA for 20 years, was appointed acting postmaster, June 15, 1921 and served until his retirement on March 31, 1941 making a total of 35 years in the postal service.
He owned and operated Mountain Orchards and also several farms in the community.
William Henry Bowman, 86, of Ararat, Virginia, retired postmaster and one of Patrick County's most prominent citizens, passed away Tuesday evening at 7:10 o'clock.
He had been in ill health for several months.
Mr. Bowman was born June 2, 1872, the son of William Daniel and Margaret Jane Haley Bowman. On January 2, 1907, he was married to Miss Elsie Elizabeth Hiatt who survives. Also surviving are two sons - Ralph C. Bowman of the home and Canon R Bowman of Burlington; one daughter Mr. G.E.(Icy) Brown of Ararat, Virginia, two grandchildren and one sister Mrs. S.D. Smith of Mt. Airy.
Mr. Bowman received his education at Friends Mission School and taught in the Patrick County schools for several years.
He was active in religious and community activities. he organized a non-denominational Sunday school at Pine Grove School and invited Friends Presbyterian Methodist and Baptist ministers to conduct worship services. This developed into the Doe Run Baptist Church, one of the largest rural congregations in the county.
He served as Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, clerk and secretary of Monthly Meeting of Friends. He was a member of Mount Airy Friends Meeting.
It was through his influence that the first rural mail route was established in Ararat, this being one of the first in Patrick County. Mr. Bowman was appointed carrier on July 15, 1904 and served for 15 years. He served as postmaster of The Hollow, VA for 20 years, was appointed acting postmaster, June 15, 1921 and served until his retirement on March 31, 1941 making a total of 35 years in the postal service.
He owned and operated Mountain Orchards and also several farms in the community.
He had been in ill health for several months.
Mr. Bowman was born June 2, 1872, the son of William Daniel and Margaret Jane Haley Bowman. On January 2, 1907, he was married to Miss Elsie Elizabeth Hiatt who survives. Also surviving are two sons - Ralph C. Bowman of the home and Canon R Bowman of Burlington; one daughter Mr. G.E.(Icy) Brown of Ararat, Virginia, two grandchildren and one sister Mrs. S.D. Smith of Mt. Airy.
Mr. Bowman received his education at Friends Mission School and taught in the Patrick County schools for several years.
He was active in religious and community activities. he organized a non-denominational Sunday school at Pine Grove School and invited Friends Presbyterian Methodist and Baptist ministers to conduct worship services. This developed into the Doe Run Baptist Church, one of the largest rural congregations in the county.
He served as Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, clerk and secretary of Monthly Meeting of Friends. He was a member of Mount Airy Friends Meeting.
It was through his influence that the first rural mail route was established in Ararat, this being one of the first in Patrick County. Mr. Bowman was appointed carrier on July 15, 1904 and served for 15 years. He served as postmaster of The Hollow, VA for 20 years, was appointed acting postmaster, June 15, 1921 and served until his retirement on March 31, 1941 making a total of 35 years in the postal service.
He owned and operated Mountain Orchards and also several farms in the community.
Gravesite Details
Husband of Elsie Hiatt Bowman
Family Members
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