WILLIAM E. BOWKER, representing the real-estate and insurance business at Lena, first opened his eyes to the light in the Green Mountain State, June 17, 1836. His father, James M. Bowker, was a native of the same county as his son, and his grandfather Bowker, also a New Englander, born in New Haven, Conn., was one of the earliest pioneers of Franklin County, Vt. He purchased land of the Government and cleared a farm which he cultivated and occupied until his death. He only lived to middle age, however, his son James M. being but an infant when the father died. The mother, by economy and excellent management, kept her children together on the old homestead until they were fitted to go out into the world and take care of themselves. The maiden name of this worthy lady was Sybil Loomis, also a native of Connecticut, who removed to Franklin County, Vt., with her husband soon after their marriage. She remained on the homestead established by them during their early married life until the close of a long and eventful career, being ninety-seven years of age at the time of her death.

The father of our subject was assisted a number of years in his farming operations by his brothers and they together became the owners of an extensive tract of land. The death of James M. Bowker took place in 1845, when he was thirty-six years of age. His wife, who, before her marriage was Miss Emily Storey, was a native of Fairfax, Vt., and after the death of her husband she came to this county, and lived in Lena, where her decease occurred. The parental household included eight children, of whom our subject was the eldest. He continued a resident of his native town during his childhood and youth, attending school as opportunity afforded, and working on a farm. He set out for this State in March, 1857, when not quite twenty-one years old. He stopped in Kent Township, and rented a tract of land upon which he operated one year. In the spring of 1858, he purchased 100 acres lying partly in Kent Township and partly across the line in Jo Daviess County. The sod had never been turned by the plowshare, and he set himself industriously to work to bring the soil to a state of cultivation. He worked successfully upon it four years, and then leaving it in the hands of a tenant, decided to change his occupation. Establishing an office at Lena, he commenced business as an insurance agent, which he has carried on since that time, and the past few years extended his operations, and began dealing in real estate. His transactions embrace lands in Minnesota and Kansas in addition to a large area in this State, together with houses and other property of the kind.

While a resident of Lena, Mr. Bowker was married, in June, 1859, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Ezra and Nancy (Andrews) Latham, natives respectively of Vermont and Ohio, and pioneers of Jo Daviess County. Mr. and Mrs. Bowker have one child, a daughter, Effie, who is now at home. They are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, and Mr. B. uniformly casts his vote with the Republican party.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 233