Fiftieth Anniversary.
On Monday, June 20th Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hall Bowles celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at their fine newly acquired home, the James Langdon place, on Russell Street.
The reception lasted from two to six, and a large number of neighbors, friends and relatives from far and near were present to pay their respects and help make merry the occasion. Dr. and Mrs. Bowles arrived in town last week and helped make the final arrangement for their parents' celebration. The parlors were a perfect bower of ferns, flowers, potted plants and palms and decorations were arranged by Mrs. W.J. McDonald of Brookline, Mass.
Music for the occasion was furnished by the Scherzo Guitar and Mandolin Club and the ushers were W.W. Mason, Moses A. Batchelder and Bennett Batchelder of Concord.
Mrs. George R. Connell of Concord poured tea, Miss Sadie Flanders served at the punch bowl, Mrs. Lena Avery Swenning officiated at the piano and Miss Jessie looked after the presents.
The young ladies who officiated as ushers were Miss McDonald and Miss Draper and those who acted as waiter and waitresses were Mary Draper, Lyle Fellows, Alice Gore and Jessie Gitchell.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowles looked the well preserved couple that they are and it is needless to add that the presents were many, beautiful and costly.
Charles Hall Bowles is a prominent figure in Grafton County business affairs and he is well known not only in this section but throughout the state. He is a self made man and he started in life with no equipment otherwise than that which nature endowed him with and by his good judgment, strong will, good health and a capacity for hard work has become one of our most successful businessmen.
Mr. Bowles is a native of Holderness and it is there he was born March 3, 1892 consequently he is now in his 74th year. He is the son of Stephen and Mary (Palmer) Bowles. His father is a native of the Old Bay State and his mother is a New Hampshire born woman, being raised in Loudon. When quite young his father went to Portsmouth to reside, and for many years was a merchant tailor and also a dealer in dry goods.
At that time he has a brother who resided in Portsmouth, who controlled many merchant ships which plied between Plymouth and the West Indies, and several of the Bowles family became interest in the marine business. It was during the passage of one of the sailing vessels that Stephen Bowles, a brother of Charles was lost at sea, ship, cargo, captain and crew were never heard from after departing Portsmouth harbor, and Stephen Bowles captained this vessel for the last time.
Mr. Bowles was the youngest but one of seven children, three boys and four girls, all of whom are dead with the exception of our subject. Meeting with reverses, Mr. Bowle's father and mother came to Holderness to reside on a farm where they lived many years and who were finally laid to rest in Trinity Churchyard.
Charles H. has seen many hardships during his day and found it necessary to work early and late on the farm to support his father and mother. He afterwards became a clerk in Webster, Russell & Co.'s Store in this town, and later engaged extensively in the teaming business and was at one time located in Laconia and Malden. He did heavy freighting over the old stage road to the mountains, and when the first freight trains passed over the old Concord & Montreal Railroad to Woodsville Mr. Bowles was the first freight train Conductor to enter Woodsville with a train of cars.
Mr. Bowles carried on the Merrill farm, later known as the Weeks' farm, which he bought and later sold to the late Nathan H. Week's after running it two years. He then became engaged in the lumber business, owning several lumber tracts in Rumney and adjoining towns along the river valley, and furnished logs which ran down the Pemigewasset and Merrimack Rivers to Brooks at Lowell. Lumber has been Mr. Bowles' chief industry ever since.
He has represented this town in the Legislature twice, was for years a director in the Grafton County Agriculture Society, is a director of the Boston Concord & Montreal Railroad, also the Pemigewasset Valley Railroad, is President of the Pemigewasset National Bank, and was for a time Chairman of the Plymouth Water Commissioners.
He married Mrs. Bowles June 20, 1854. Mrs. Bowles is a native of Benton and was born in that town November 13, 1833. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey Batchelder who were prosperous farmers and at one time she lived with her parents on the farm now owned by Manson S. Brown at the Lower Intervale. Mr. and Mrs. Bowles have one son, Dr. George H. Bowles of Boston who is a practicing physician there, and one grandson, the namesake of Mr. Bowles. >The Plymouth Record, 1904.
Charles H. Bowles
People were shocked and grieved last week Thursday when it became known that Charles H. Bowles had passed away that morning.
Mr. Bowles had been in failing health for some time but was improved enough so that he rode out with his son, Dr. Charles H. Bowles, the Monday before. The morning of his passing out he awoke and passed greetings with his wife and went to sleep again, and when they next went to him it was seen that he had peacefully passed away.
Charles Henry Bowles was a self-made man, strong in character and in his friendships. As a young man he was an indefatigable worker, a habit he maintained throughout life. With meager school advantages and no flattering prospects, but through the endowments of brain, muscle and an indomitable will and no end of courage, he succeeded in reaching the goal of life's success.
Mr. Bowles was the son of Stephen and Mary (Palmer) Bowles. He was born in the neighboring town of Holderness, and lacked a few days of being 82 years of age.
Charles H. Bowles came to Plymouth for his career in 1851; and for three years was a clerk in the general store of Webster, Russell & Co. Later he engaged in the livery business, handling a large traffic over the stage road throughout the Franconia Mountains.
Upon the completion of the old Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad to Plymouth, Mr. Bowles was the first freight conductor to run from Plymouth to Boston, and when the road was extended to Woodsville he was the first freight conductor to run into that town with train and cars.
Subsequently he turned his attention to farming and engaged extensively in the lumber industry, being remarkably successful financially.
In business circles throughout the states he was widely known and his opinion often sought. In 1875 and 1876 Mr Bowles represented the Town of Plymouth in the New Hampshire Legislature, and in the latter year was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Plymouth. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Pemigewasset National Bank of Plymouth, of which he was vice president, and it was the result of his energetic efforts that Plymouth Guaranty Savings Bank was instituted in 1889. At that time he was elected its president, a position which he held continuously up to the time of his death, and he prided himself that he had presided at every annual meeting and every meeting of the board of directors since its institution.
He was a member of the board of directors of the Pemigewasset Valley railroad for years, was a member of the board of directors of the old Grafton County Agricultural Society, at one time was the chairman of the Plymouth board of water commissioners, and was the first president of the Plymouth board of trade. In 1854, Mr Bowles married Mary Ann Batchelder, and this devoted wife, with one son, Dr George H. Bowles, formerly of Boston, survives the husband and parent.
Funeral services were held from the home on Russell Street Saturday afternoon, with Dr. Cyrus Richardson of Nashua, a long time friend, officiating clergyman, with Rev. A.L. Smith of the local Methodist Episcopal Church officiating.
J.B.F. Ball of Laconia finely rendered some appropriate vocal selections. There was a profusion of most beautiful flowers. Interment was in the family lot at Riverside. Brown & Gammons in charge of all. >The Plymouth Record, March 1, 1913, p2.
On Monday, June 20th Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hall Bowles celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at their fine newly acquired home, the James Langdon place, on Russell Street.
The reception lasted from two to six, and a large number of neighbors, friends and relatives from far and near were present to pay their respects and help make merry the occasion. Dr. and Mrs. Bowles arrived in town last week and helped make the final arrangement for their parents' celebration. The parlors were a perfect bower of ferns, flowers, potted plants and palms and decorations were arranged by Mrs. W.J. McDonald of Brookline, Mass.
Music for the occasion was furnished by the Scherzo Guitar and Mandolin Club and the ushers were W.W. Mason, Moses A. Batchelder and Bennett Batchelder of Concord.
Mrs. George R. Connell of Concord poured tea, Miss Sadie Flanders served at the punch bowl, Mrs. Lena Avery Swenning officiated at the piano and Miss Jessie looked after the presents.
The young ladies who officiated as ushers were Miss McDonald and Miss Draper and those who acted as waiter and waitresses were Mary Draper, Lyle Fellows, Alice Gore and Jessie Gitchell.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowles looked the well preserved couple that they are and it is needless to add that the presents were many, beautiful and costly.
Charles Hall Bowles is a prominent figure in Grafton County business affairs and he is well known not only in this section but throughout the state. He is a self made man and he started in life with no equipment otherwise than that which nature endowed him with and by his good judgment, strong will, good health and a capacity for hard work has become one of our most successful businessmen.
Mr. Bowles is a native of Holderness and it is there he was born March 3, 1892 consequently he is now in his 74th year. He is the son of Stephen and Mary (Palmer) Bowles. His father is a native of the Old Bay State and his mother is a New Hampshire born woman, being raised in Loudon. When quite young his father went to Portsmouth to reside, and for many years was a merchant tailor and also a dealer in dry goods.
At that time he has a brother who resided in Portsmouth, who controlled many merchant ships which plied between Plymouth and the West Indies, and several of the Bowles family became interest in the marine business. It was during the passage of one of the sailing vessels that Stephen Bowles, a brother of Charles was lost at sea, ship, cargo, captain and crew were never heard from after departing Portsmouth harbor, and Stephen Bowles captained this vessel for the last time.
Mr. Bowles was the youngest but one of seven children, three boys and four girls, all of whom are dead with the exception of our subject. Meeting with reverses, Mr. Bowle's father and mother came to Holderness to reside on a farm where they lived many years and who were finally laid to rest in Trinity Churchyard.
Charles H. has seen many hardships during his day and found it necessary to work early and late on the farm to support his father and mother. He afterwards became a clerk in Webster, Russell & Co.'s Store in this town, and later engaged extensively in the teaming business and was at one time located in Laconia and Malden. He did heavy freighting over the old stage road to the mountains, and when the first freight trains passed over the old Concord & Montreal Railroad to Woodsville Mr. Bowles was the first freight train Conductor to enter Woodsville with a train of cars.
Mr. Bowles carried on the Merrill farm, later known as the Weeks' farm, which he bought and later sold to the late Nathan H. Week's after running it two years. He then became engaged in the lumber business, owning several lumber tracts in Rumney and adjoining towns along the river valley, and furnished logs which ran down the Pemigewasset and Merrimack Rivers to Brooks at Lowell. Lumber has been Mr. Bowles' chief industry ever since.
He has represented this town in the Legislature twice, was for years a director in the Grafton County Agriculture Society, is a director of the Boston Concord & Montreal Railroad, also the Pemigewasset Valley Railroad, is President of the Pemigewasset National Bank, and was for a time Chairman of the Plymouth Water Commissioners.
He married Mrs. Bowles June 20, 1854. Mrs. Bowles is a native of Benton and was born in that town November 13, 1833. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey Batchelder who were prosperous farmers and at one time she lived with her parents on the farm now owned by Manson S. Brown at the Lower Intervale. Mr. and Mrs. Bowles have one son, Dr. George H. Bowles of Boston who is a practicing physician there, and one grandson, the namesake of Mr. Bowles. >The Plymouth Record, 1904.
Charles H. Bowles
People were shocked and grieved last week Thursday when it became known that Charles H. Bowles had passed away that morning.
Mr. Bowles had been in failing health for some time but was improved enough so that he rode out with his son, Dr. Charles H. Bowles, the Monday before. The morning of his passing out he awoke and passed greetings with his wife and went to sleep again, and when they next went to him it was seen that he had peacefully passed away.
Charles Henry Bowles was a self-made man, strong in character and in his friendships. As a young man he was an indefatigable worker, a habit he maintained throughout life. With meager school advantages and no flattering prospects, but through the endowments of brain, muscle and an indomitable will and no end of courage, he succeeded in reaching the goal of life's success.
Mr. Bowles was the son of Stephen and Mary (Palmer) Bowles. He was born in the neighboring town of Holderness, and lacked a few days of being 82 years of age.
Charles H. Bowles came to Plymouth for his career in 1851; and for three years was a clerk in the general store of Webster, Russell & Co. Later he engaged in the livery business, handling a large traffic over the stage road throughout the Franconia Mountains.
Upon the completion of the old Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad to Plymouth, Mr. Bowles was the first freight conductor to run from Plymouth to Boston, and when the road was extended to Woodsville he was the first freight conductor to run into that town with train and cars.
Subsequently he turned his attention to farming and engaged extensively in the lumber industry, being remarkably successful financially.
In business circles throughout the states he was widely known and his opinion often sought. In 1875 and 1876 Mr Bowles represented the Town of Plymouth in the New Hampshire Legislature, and in the latter year was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Plymouth. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Pemigewasset National Bank of Plymouth, of which he was vice president, and it was the result of his energetic efforts that Plymouth Guaranty Savings Bank was instituted in 1889. At that time he was elected its president, a position which he held continuously up to the time of his death, and he prided himself that he had presided at every annual meeting and every meeting of the board of directors since its institution.
He was a member of the board of directors of the Pemigewasset Valley railroad for years, was a member of the board of directors of the old Grafton County Agricultural Society, at one time was the chairman of the Plymouth board of water commissioners, and was the first president of the Plymouth board of trade. In 1854, Mr Bowles married Mary Ann Batchelder, and this devoted wife, with one son, Dr George H. Bowles, formerly of Boston, survives the husband and parent.
Funeral services were held from the home on Russell Street Saturday afternoon, with Dr. Cyrus Richardson of Nashua, a long time friend, officiating clergyman, with Rev. A.L. Smith of the local Methodist Episcopal Church officiating.
J.B.F. Ball of Laconia finely rendered some appropriate vocal selections. There was a profusion of most beautiful flowers. Interment was in the family lot at Riverside. Brown & Gammons in charge of all. >The Plymouth Record, March 1, 1913, p2.
Fiftieth Anniversary.
On Monday, June 20th Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hall Bowles celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at their fine newly acquired home, the James Langdon place, on Russell Street.
The reception lasted from two to six, and a large number of neighbors, friends and relatives from far and near were present to pay their respects and help make merry the occasion. Dr. and Mrs. Bowles arrived in town last week and helped make the final arrangement for their parents' celebration. The parlors were a perfect bower of ferns, flowers, potted plants and palms and decorations were arranged by Mrs. W.J. McDonald of Brookline, Mass.
Music for the occasion was furnished by the Scherzo Guitar and Mandolin Club and the ushers were W.W. Mason, Moses A. Batchelder and Bennett Batchelder of Concord.
Mrs. George R. Connell of Concord poured tea, Miss Sadie Flanders served at the punch bowl, Mrs. Lena Avery Swenning officiated at the piano and Miss Jessie looked after the presents.
The young ladies who officiated as ushers were Miss McDonald and Miss Draper and those who acted as waiter and waitresses were Mary Draper, Lyle Fellows, Alice Gore and Jessie Gitchell.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowles looked the well preserved couple that they are and it is needless to add that the presents were many, beautiful and costly.
Charles Hall Bowles is a prominent figure in Grafton County business affairs and he is well known not only in this section but throughout the state. He is a self made man and he started in life with no equipment otherwise than that which nature endowed him with and by his good judgment, strong will, good health and a capacity for hard work has become one of our most successful businessmen.
Mr. Bowles is a native of Holderness and it is there he was born March 3, 1892 consequently he is now in his 74th year. He is the son of Stephen and Mary (Palmer) Bowles. His father is a native of the Old Bay State and his mother is a New Hampshire born woman, being raised in Loudon. When quite young his father went to Portsmouth to reside, and for many years was a merchant tailor and also a dealer in dry goods.
At that time he has a brother who resided in Portsmouth, who controlled many merchant ships which plied between Plymouth and the West Indies, and several of the Bowles family became interest in the marine business. It was during the passage of one of the sailing vessels that Stephen Bowles, a brother of Charles was lost at sea, ship, cargo, captain and crew were never heard from after departing Portsmouth harbor, and Stephen Bowles captained this vessel for the last time.
Mr. Bowles was the youngest but one of seven children, three boys and four girls, all of whom are dead with the exception of our subject. Meeting with reverses, Mr. Bowle's father and mother came to Holderness to reside on a farm where they lived many years and who were finally laid to rest in Trinity Churchyard.
Charles H. has seen many hardships during his day and found it necessary to work early and late on the farm to support his father and mother. He afterwards became a clerk in Webster, Russell & Co.'s Store in this town, and later engaged extensively in the teaming business and was at one time located in Laconia and Malden. He did heavy freighting over the old stage road to the mountains, and when the first freight trains passed over the old Concord & Montreal Railroad to Woodsville Mr. Bowles was the first freight train Conductor to enter Woodsville with a train of cars.
Mr. Bowles carried on the Merrill farm, later known as the Weeks' farm, which he bought and later sold to the late Nathan H. Week's after running it two years. He then became engaged in the lumber business, owning several lumber tracts in Rumney and adjoining towns along the river valley, and furnished logs which ran down the Pemigewasset and Merrimack Rivers to Brooks at Lowell. Lumber has been Mr. Bowles' chief industry ever since.
He has represented this town in the Legislature twice, was for years a director in the Grafton County Agriculture Society, is a director of the Boston Concord & Montreal Railroad, also the Pemigewasset Valley Railroad, is President of the Pemigewasset National Bank, and was for a time Chairman of the Plymouth Water Commissioners.
He married Mrs. Bowles June 20, 1854. Mrs. Bowles is a native of Benton and was born in that town November 13, 1833. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey Batchelder who were prosperous farmers and at one time she lived with her parents on the farm now owned by Manson S. Brown at the Lower Intervale. Mr. and Mrs. Bowles have one son, Dr. George H. Bowles of Boston who is a practicing physician there, and one grandson, the namesake of Mr. Bowles. >The Plymouth Record, 1904.
Charles H. Bowles
People were shocked and grieved last week Thursday when it became known that Charles H. Bowles had passed away that morning.
Mr. Bowles had been in failing health for some time but was improved enough so that he rode out with his son, Dr. Charles H. Bowles, the Monday before. The morning of his passing out he awoke and passed greetings with his wife and went to sleep again, and when they next went to him it was seen that he had peacefully passed away.
Charles Henry Bowles was a self-made man, strong in character and in his friendships. As a young man he was an indefatigable worker, a habit he maintained throughout life. With meager school advantages and no flattering prospects, but through the endowments of brain, muscle and an indomitable will and no end of courage, he succeeded in reaching the goal of life's success.
Mr. Bowles was the son of Stephen and Mary (Palmer) Bowles. He was born in the neighboring town of Holderness, and lacked a few days of being 82 years of age.
Charles H. Bowles came to Plymouth for his career in 1851; and for three years was a clerk in the general store of Webster, Russell & Co. Later he engaged in the livery business, handling a large traffic over the stage road throughout the Franconia Mountains.
Upon the completion of the old Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad to Plymouth, Mr. Bowles was the first freight conductor to run from Plymouth to Boston, and when the road was extended to Woodsville he was the first freight conductor to run into that town with train and cars.
Subsequently he turned his attention to farming and engaged extensively in the lumber industry, being remarkably successful financially.
In business circles throughout the states he was widely known and his opinion often sought. In 1875 and 1876 Mr Bowles represented the Town of Plymouth in the New Hampshire Legislature, and in the latter year was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Plymouth. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Pemigewasset National Bank of Plymouth, of which he was vice president, and it was the result of his energetic efforts that Plymouth Guaranty Savings Bank was instituted in 1889. At that time he was elected its president, a position which he held continuously up to the time of his death, and he prided himself that he had presided at every annual meeting and every meeting of the board of directors since its institution.
He was a member of the board of directors of the Pemigewasset Valley railroad for years, was a member of the board of directors of the old Grafton County Agricultural Society, at one time was the chairman of the Plymouth board of water commissioners, and was the first president of the Plymouth board of trade. In 1854, Mr Bowles married Mary Ann Batchelder, and this devoted wife, with one son, Dr George H. Bowles, formerly of Boston, survives the husband and parent.
Funeral services were held from the home on Russell Street Saturday afternoon, with Dr. Cyrus Richardson of Nashua, a long time friend, officiating clergyman, with Rev. A.L. Smith of the local Methodist Episcopal Church officiating.
J.B.F. Ball of Laconia finely rendered some appropriate vocal selections. There was a profusion of most beautiful flowers. Interment was in the family lot at Riverside. Brown & Gammons in charge of all. >The Plymouth Record, March 1, 1913, p2.
On Monday, June 20th Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hall Bowles celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at their fine newly acquired home, the James Langdon place, on Russell Street.
The reception lasted from two to six, and a large number of neighbors, friends and relatives from far and near were present to pay their respects and help make merry the occasion. Dr. and Mrs. Bowles arrived in town last week and helped make the final arrangement for their parents' celebration. The parlors were a perfect bower of ferns, flowers, potted plants and palms and decorations were arranged by Mrs. W.J. McDonald of Brookline, Mass.
Music for the occasion was furnished by the Scherzo Guitar and Mandolin Club and the ushers were W.W. Mason, Moses A. Batchelder and Bennett Batchelder of Concord.
Mrs. George R. Connell of Concord poured tea, Miss Sadie Flanders served at the punch bowl, Mrs. Lena Avery Swenning officiated at the piano and Miss Jessie looked after the presents.
The young ladies who officiated as ushers were Miss McDonald and Miss Draper and those who acted as waiter and waitresses were Mary Draper, Lyle Fellows, Alice Gore and Jessie Gitchell.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowles looked the well preserved couple that they are and it is needless to add that the presents were many, beautiful and costly.
Charles Hall Bowles is a prominent figure in Grafton County business affairs and he is well known not only in this section but throughout the state. He is a self made man and he started in life with no equipment otherwise than that which nature endowed him with and by his good judgment, strong will, good health and a capacity for hard work has become one of our most successful businessmen.
Mr. Bowles is a native of Holderness and it is there he was born March 3, 1892 consequently he is now in his 74th year. He is the son of Stephen and Mary (Palmer) Bowles. His father is a native of the Old Bay State and his mother is a New Hampshire born woman, being raised in Loudon. When quite young his father went to Portsmouth to reside, and for many years was a merchant tailor and also a dealer in dry goods.
At that time he has a brother who resided in Portsmouth, who controlled many merchant ships which plied between Plymouth and the West Indies, and several of the Bowles family became interest in the marine business. It was during the passage of one of the sailing vessels that Stephen Bowles, a brother of Charles was lost at sea, ship, cargo, captain and crew were never heard from after departing Portsmouth harbor, and Stephen Bowles captained this vessel for the last time.
Mr. Bowles was the youngest but one of seven children, three boys and four girls, all of whom are dead with the exception of our subject. Meeting with reverses, Mr. Bowle's father and mother came to Holderness to reside on a farm where they lived many years and who were finally laid to rest in Trinity Churchyard.
Charles H. has seen many hardships during his day and found it necessary to work early and late on the farm to support his father and mother. He afterwards became a clerk in Webster, Russell & Co.'s Store in this town, and later engaged extensively in the teaming business and was at one time located in Laconia and Malden. He did heavy freighting over the old stage road to the mountains, and when the first freight trains passed over the old Concord & Montreal Railroad to Woodsville Mr. Bowles was the first freight train Conductor to enter Woodsville with a train of cars.
Mr. Bowles carried on the Merrill farm, later known as the Weeks' farm, which he bought and later sold to the late Nathan H. Week's after running it two years. He then became engaged in the lumber business, owning several lumber tracts in Rumney and adjoining towns along the river valley, and furnished logs which ran down the Pemigewasset and Merrimack Rivers to Brooks at Lowell. Lumber has been Mr. Bowles' chief industry ever since.
He has represented this town in the Legislature twice, was for years a director in the Grafton County Agriculture Society, is a director of the Boston Concord & Montreal Railroad, also the Pemigewasset Valley Railroad, is President of the Pemigewasset National Bank, and was for a time Chairman of the Plymouth Water Commissioners.
He married Mrs. Bowles June 20, 1854. Mrs. Bowles is a native of Benton and was born in that town November 13, 1833. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey Batchelder who were prosperous farmers and at one time she lived with her parents on the farm now owned by Manson S. Brown at the Lower Intervale. Mr. and Mrs. Bowles have one son, Dr. George H. Bowles of Boston who is a practicing physician there, and one grandson, the namesake of Mr. Bowles. >The Plymouth Record, 1904.
Charles H. Bowles
People were shocked and grieved last week Thursday when it became known that Charles H. Bowles had passed away that morning.
Mr. Bowles had been in failing health for some time but was improved enough so that he rode out with his son, Dr. Charles H. Bowles, the Monday before. The morning of his passing out he awoke and passed greetings with his wife and went to sleep again, and when they next went to him it was seen that he had peacefully passed away.
Charles Henry Bowles was a self-made man, strong in character and in his friendships. As a young man he was an indefatigable worker, a habit he maintained throughout life. With meager school advantages and no flattering prospects, but through the endowments of brain, muscle and an indomitable will and no end of courage, he succeeded in reaching the goal of life's success.
Mr. Bowles was the son of Stephen and Mary (Palmer) Bowles. He was born in the neighboring town of Holderness, and lacked a few days of being 82 years of age.
Charles H. Bowles came to Plymouth for his career in 1851; and for three years was a clerk in the general store of Webster, Russell & Co. Later he engaged in the livery business, handling a large traffic over the stage road throughout the Franconia Mountains.
Upon the completion of the old Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad to Plymouth, Mr. Bowles was the first freight conductor to run from Plymouth to Boston, and when the road was extended to Woodsville he was the first freight conductor to run into that town with train and cars.
Subsequently he turned his attention to farming and engaged extensively in the lumber industry, being remarkably successful financially.
In business circles throughout the states he was widely known and his opinion often sought. In 1875 and 1876 Mr Bowles represented the Town of Plymouth in the New Hampshire Legislature, and in the latter year was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Plymouth. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Pemigewasset National Bank of Plymouth, of which he was vice president, and it was the result of his energetic efforts that Plymouth Guaranty Savings Bank was instituted in 1889. At that time he was elected its president, a position which he held continuously up to the time of his death, and he prided himself that he had presided at every annual meeting and every meeting of the board of directors since its institution.
He was a member of the board of directors of the Pemigewasset Valley railroad for years, was a member of the board of directors of the old Grafton County Agricultural Society, at one time was the chairman of the Plymouth board of water commissioners, and was the first president of the Plymouth board of trade. In 1854, Mr Bowles married Mary Ann Batchelder, and this devoted wife, with one son, Dr George H. Bowles, formerly of Boston, survives the husband and parent.
Funeral services were held from the home on Russell Street Saturday afternoon, with Dr. Cyrus Richardson of Nashua, a long time friend, officiating clergyman, with Rev. A.L. Smith of the local Methodist Episcopal Church officiating.
J.B.F. Ball of Laconia finely rendered some appropriate vocal selections. There was a profusion of most beautiful flowers. Interment was in the family lot at Riverside. Brown & Gammons in charge of all. >The Plymouth Record, March 1, 1913, p2.
Family Members
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