THe Bowles Family in DeWitt County, IL

Old Union Church and the Bowles Family
DeWitt County, Illinois

(An excerpt from "The Disciples of Christ History" by Haynes)
Transcribed by ©K. Torp, June 2006

The Old Union Church, located about 10 miles west of Clinton was constituted Oct. 13, 1831 (Second Sunday). It was formed with 17 charter members under the spreading branches of a large white oak tree whose decaying stump still marks the spot (1910). This and the gravestones of the cemetery which grew around the house of worship are silent sentinels of faded joys and departed glories.

Hugh Bowles was leader there. He was a product of Caneridge, Ky Revival
as were those associated with him in the beginning. His son, Walter P. Bowles, became the best known and most powerful preacher of his time in that section. He and Abe Lincoln were familiar friends and long before the immortal emancipator dreamed of place and fame he said to Mr. Bowles, "Wat if I could preach like you, I would rather do that than be president."

The Old Union Church served its community and generation for just 50 years to a day, and then, the railroads coming, the towns growing, it fell asleep.

HUGH BOWLES

Hugh Bowles was born in Virginia in 1786 and died in DeWitt County, Illinois in 1846. He went from Virginia to Caneridge, Kentucky and was converted there in the Great Revival of 1801. He had a limited education but was a great historian and reader. He was first a member of the United Baptist Church and was licensed to preach. He decided denominationalism was wrong and believed God had revealed to every man his whole duty in plain and unmistakable terms in the Bible. He settled on a farm in DeWitt County near the site of the Old Union Church in Tunbridge Townships on the banks of Salt Creek in the spring of 1830. He had then married twice and was the father of 12 living children. Members of his family remained to farm 200 acres while the father gave his time to preaching the Bible. His trips on horseback reached for 10-50 miles. The storms in winter and miry sloughs and swollen streams of springs and early summer frequently challenged the faith and courage of this itinerant preacher. But Mr. Bowles seldom missed an appointment. He was well versed in the Scriptures and could quote the New Testament from beginning to end. Associated with him in his Christian work were Abner Peeler, powerful in argument and appeal and a true prophet's vision; James Scott who spoke with the "Old Baptist" tone and when the weather was warm in the progress of his sermon he would lay off his coat, unbutton his collar and sleeves and plead most earnestly with his hearers; and Alfred Lindsay, mild, gentle and with wonderful winning power. Ten dollars was the largest sum Hugh Bowles ever received for a meeting which was at Lake Fork Church. This money he gave a Mrs. Frakes, a widowed sister in the Lord who was thrown from her horse, breaking her hip, while going to his meeting. He was kind, sympathetic man, but very positive. All his children were in the fold ere their father went away to be with the Good Shepherd.

DAVID BOWLES

David Bowles was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky in 1825 and died in
Emden, Illinois in 1911. He was the oldest son. He was a farmer and resided
on the Delavon Prairie in Logan County. He read much and was decidedly conservative and a good public speaker. He assisted in organizing several churches within the radius of his Christian Service.

WILLIAM F. BOWLES

He was born in Kentucky and brought by his parents in 1830. He became a Christian at the age of 13. He served Old Union as deacon and elder for many years. He was a great student of the Bible and always based his judgement on truth and justice. He always helped in the aggressive work of the church and his conclusions on church government were rarely questioned. His one son and four grandchildren are prominent in the work of the church. He is the sole survivor of the family which came to Illinois and resides with his son in Des Moines, Iowa.

WALTER P. BOWLES

This man was the most forceful and noted of this remarkable family. He was the son of Hughes and Ruth Prather Bowles. During his mature years he was called by nearly all his acquaintances, "Wattie Bowles". Physically, a man of finest type, standing six feet and one inches in his stocking feet, he weighed 190 pounds. Rarely could any man follow him with an ax, cradle of scythe. He could stand with both feet in a half bushel measure and shoulder four bushels of wheat in one sack. There was admirable coordination between his physical forces and his mental energies. At about 22 years of age he married Isabel Wallace, a daughter of Col. Andrew Wallace, who served in the War of 1812. His wife a fine teacher and her husband an unusually bright pupil, five years later he could quote nearly all the New Testament from memory and before the close of his life most of the Old Testament as well. His memory was extraordinary. He knew the map of Palestine better than most people know their own state. He was a farmer and became a preacher shortly after his marriage. He was powerful and eloquent. His superior ability to sing induced others to sing and added much to his efficiency. He was mighty in prayer as well. Walter P. Bowles born in Kentucky in 1811; died in Illinois in 1863.

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