|
The Wilkes-Barre Times, 19 November
1900 (Pennsylvania)
J. H. Bowden dead
J. H. Bowden, of this city, chief engineer of the Pennsylvania Coal
company collieries, died at Meadeville, Pa., on Saturday, where he went
to consult a specialist on stomach trouble. The treatment progressed
favorably until a few days ago. On Thursday last he began to decline
rapidly and died on Friday night at 7 o’clock. Mrs. Bowden was with him
during his stay there and was at his bedside at the time of death.
Deceased was one of the best known mining experts in this region and an
authority on matters pertaining to engineering. He was born at Pengance,
in Cornwall, England, in 1846, and came to this country when a small
child. After spending some time in Tamaqua and Philadelphia, he came to
this city in 1869 and was made superintendent of the Wyoming Valley
shops. In 1872 he accepted the position of chief engineer of the
Susquehanna Coal Co and later became the chief engineer of all the coal
companies connected with the Pennsylvania R. R. Co. He has been borough
engineer of Nanticoke from the time of its incorporation until lately.
He was one of the first members of the American Institute of Mining
Engineers, and was a prominent member of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers. Mr. Bowden held several patents, the most
prominent of which is the Bowden self-oiling car wheel, now extensively
used in this region.
Mr. Bowden was twice married, his first wife being Miss Juliet Metzgar,
sister of Charles B. Metzgar, and the second Miss Evlla Flack. The
latter with three children, Helen (Mrs. Fred A. Krell of Tamaqua), Grace
and Dorothy, survive. Mr. Bowden was an attendant at St. Stephen’s
church.
The funeral will take place at his late residence, 49 Park avenue, on
Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
Contributed by Bob Bolitho
|