Life History of Thomas Bowles - 1836-1927
A brave and valiant pioneer
Fought the good fight many a year
But now he has gone to a well earned rest
And with the faithful he'll be blessed.
May his descendants honor his name,
His deeds of merit renown to his fame
The memory of him we'll ever hold dear,
Of this tried and proven pioneer.
In the little city of Calne, Wiltshire, England lived Edward Bowles and his wife Ann Bolton and a family of five children. The family was supported by the Father weaving different kinds of buckets and selling them. Thomas, a second son was born on August 18, 1836.
He left school when he was ten years old and went to work in a button factory. While working there he met with a painful accident breaking his leg and thigh. While adjusting the belt which was connected with the machinery his foot was caught breaking the bones. The leg was set by the Doctor pulling on the leg while Thomas held to the head of the bed pulling up. Because of the lack of a skilled physician and improper attention the leg was shorter which caused lameness throughout his entire life. The effects were more pronounced during his later years. Eleven weeks he suffered with the broken bones in a hospital.
During his early boyhood he narrowly escaped drowning twice.
The Bowles family were noted throughout the city for their hospitality; consequently it was not strange that Robert Nelson, Joseph Coleman and a Brother Salter, missionaries of the Mormon Church should spend their time at that home while in Calne. It is possible through these missionaries that the family accepted Mormonism and prepared to immigrate to Zion.
At the age of 19 years in May 1856, Thomas, with the rest of his family except an older Brother John who refused to leave England, started across the ocean on the sailing ship "Thornton". They arrived in Iowa City, July 4, 1856, after a six week journey across the ocean.
Here they were assigned to cross the plains in the James G. Willie Company. The story of the trails and hardships of these immigrants is one of the saddest in the history of the West. The handcarts were made at Iowa City and consisted of two wheels with a frame work extended in front with a cross-bar which was grasped by the one who pulled. The clothing and food were strapped onto the frame. Only 17 pounds of luggage was allowed to a person.
The Willie Company, one of the two last companies to attempt to cross the plains that fall did not cross the Missouri River until August. Unfortunately and early winter set in. The company consisted of 500 souls, 120 carts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 45 beef cattle and cows.
The journey from Iowa City to the Missouri River was pleasurable in every particular. The roads were good, game was plentiful, and grass was high for the cattle. Arriving at Florence several days were spent making new carts and mending old ones and obtaining supplies.
On the plains they had many experiences. At Winter Quarters they rested and prepared to resume their journey to Zion. From Winter Quarters they traveled along Plum Creek. At a small place called Plum Creek the Indians drove off the beef cattle, which amounted to about 30 head , which was a very unfortunate occurrence.
Thomas with his Father pulled the cart with the provisions. A younger brother Enoch was ill the entire journey.
When the company reached a point about 300 miles west of Florence, they barely escaped being trampled under foot by a herd of frightened buffalo. With the loosing of many of their cattle, travel with the added loads was most difficult. The roads were very rough and much rawhide had to be used on the rickety carts to keep them from falling to pieces. The axles wore through before the journey was half ended causing much trouble and delay all along the road.
The early frosty nights made it cold for the immigrants but they pushed on until reaching Fort Laramie where they obtained some buffalo robes and a few more provisions.
On they traveled and with the consuming of the food it was discovered that the rations must be meted out to the men, women and children. On October 12 it was decided to apportion two ounces to each soul and on the 14th another reduction was made. Thomas tells of mixing the four ounces of flour with water and baking it over a bonfire made of buffalo chips, which he gathered.
This was their food for 24 hours. On the 19th the last ounces of flour was doled out. What made matters worse was that the snow was flying and it was already 18 inches deep on the level.
Just before camping at Sweet Water Thomas become too tired with pulling the loaded handcart and walking many miles that he laid on the ground along side of the road. His Father said to him: "You must not lie there, the wolves will eat you." The company trudged on and Thomas soon fell asleep from utter weariness. When he awoke it was dark and he had to feel the dust to find which direction the company had traveled. When he got up and began to walk he had not gone far when he saw a light and followed it until he arrived at camp. At Sweet Water nine members of the company died.
During their travel over the plains one of the Bowles oxen died. The company left the animal by the side of the trail. Thomas with a companion ran away from the company and walked back to the dead animal and skinned it and took a piece of the meat and boiled it and ate it. This was done because of their extreme hunger. The Captain, of course, would not allow them to eat the meat of a dead animal had he known.
At Rocky Ridge 13 members of the company died and while they were preparing to bury them two more died and they were buried with their clothes on in the same snow grave.
After the company started again Thomas' father became so tired he said, "I cannot pull the cart any further." In Thomas' own words he said, "So I pulled the cart until we came to Fort Bridger and then I dumped it into a hollow."
At this point of the journey Thomas tells of roasting buffalo hooves and eating them.
Beyond the South Pass a rescue party sent by President Young met the Willie Company. They had had nothing to eat for 48 hours and were freezing and starving to death. Wood was drawn to the camp from the neighboring hills and bonfires were lighted. Food was doled out and the immigrants took new courage. Yet nine died the night that the relief came.
William H. Kimball started for Salt Lake City with the Willie Company. It continued to snow and the nights were bitter cold. The women and children huddled at night around the fires, while the men did all they could to make it comfortable. They gathered wood and tried to keep the clothing dry. The company finally reached Green River where they were met again by supply wagons and in November the men at Fort Bridger welcomed them.
After arriving in Salt Lake City Thomas tells that his mother would give them a very small piece of bread. They would look at it and she would say, "You needn't look at it, it is all that you will get."
For two years Thomas worked in Salt Lake City for Bishop Brown of the 4th Ward. Here he hauled timber from the nearby hills and did any jobs that were to be done for the bishop. They moved to Nephi a few years after it had been settled.
When Thomas was 23 years old he hired a donkey for $5.00 and traveled to Manti and was married by Welcome Chapman a minister to Susannah Washburn (age 16) on January 27, 1859. His wife rode to Nephi with him after the ceremony on the donkey.
A log cabin with a dirt floor on the corner of 3rd North and 2nd East was built and served as their home. The cabin was located outside the Old Fort Wall making it much more dangerous to live there. They had no furniture. A hole left in the dirt floor for the hearth served as table and chairs. Here they could sit with their feet in the hole. A small piece of homemade carpet hung in the doorway served as a door.
He left his young wife many nights with only the carpet hanging to the door and went on guard in the Black Hawk War.
He experienced a narrow escape at one time when he drove a pair of wild steers hitched to a wagon from Sanpete County through the canyon to Nephi. He was also riding through the canyon the day the small company, to whom the monument is erected in the canyon, were killed. He did not know of the massacre until he reached home, where his wife and anxious friends were waiting fearing that he too had been killed.
Samuel Gilson, an early pioneer owed Charles Foote a debt. He was willing to pay this debt in horses which Mr. Foote took and with them bought tools for a butcher shop. Thomas Bowles ran the shop and was later given the tools by Mr. Foote, and he entered into the butcher business for himself. For several years he was engaged in this business. He was an excellent butcher and made many friends while in the shop.
He was one of the largest land owners in Nephi at that time. He also acted as a freighter to Salt Lake City carrying merchandise, grain etc. between the two points. He was know throughout this territory until the time of his death for his braided whips and laiette ropes. He hauled loads of logs for the Juab Stake Tabernacle. He had the distinction of buying possible the first cook stove in Nephi giving $150.00. He was a excellent gardener and made some money truck gardening. He possibly the best grafter Nephi has ever know. He was called to all parts of the country to graft trees.
He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 10 years by Richard Prater 1846 in England. He was always active in this capacity. While in England he acted as a Deacon, Teacher and Elder. President Wilford Woodruff ordained him a High Priest. In Nephi he acted as counselor to Bishop David Udall and counselor to David Cazier in the High Priest Quorum. He was a member of the first Old Folk's Committee and carved the meat for their banquets until his death a few years ago.
He played the drum and clappers in the first band organized in Nephi.
He was always known as a friend to the Indians and took them into his home many times. His home was always open to freighters and those who needed help.
At the age of 91 he died at his home in Nephi on March 1, 1927. The following children survive him: Thomas Edward, William Abraham and Martha Ann. Two Children died. An adopted daughter Mary J.J. also survives him. He has 22 grandchildren and 100 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
A brave and valiant pioneer
Fought the good fight many a year
But now he has gone to a well earned rest
And with the faithful he'll be blessed.
May his descendants honor his name,
His deeds of merit renown to his fame
The memory of him we'll ever hold dear,
Of this tried and proven pioneer.
In the little city of Calne, Wiltshire, England lived Edward Bowles and his wife Ann Bolton and a family of five children. The family was supported by the Father weaving different kinds of buckets and selling them. Thomas, a second son was born on August 18, 1836.
He left school when he was ten years old and went to work in a button factory. While working there he met with a painful accident breaking his leg and thigh. While adjusting the belt which was connected with the machinery his foot was caught breaking the bones. The leg was set by the Doctor pulling on the leg while Thomas held to the head of the bed pulling up. Because of the lack of a skilled physician and improper attention the leg was shorter which caused lameness throughout his entire life. The effects were more pronounced during his later years. Eleven weeks he suffered with the broken bones in a hospital.
During his early boyhood he narrowly escaped drowning twice.
The Bowles family were noted throughout the city for their hospitality; consequently it was not strange that Robert Nelson, Joseph Coleman and a Brother Salter, missionaries of the Mormon Church should spend their time at that home while in Calne. It is possible through these missionaries that the family accepted Mormonism and prepared to immigrate to Zion.
At the age of 19 years in May 1856, Thomas, with the rest of his family except an older Brother John who refused to leave England, started across the ocean on the sailing ship "Thornton". They arrived in Iowa City, July 4, 1856, after a six week journey across the ocean.
Here they were assigned to cross the plains in the James G. Willie Company. The story of the trails and hardships of these immigrants is one of the saddest in the history of the West. The handcarts were made at Iowa City and consisted of two wheels with a frame work extended in front with a cross-bar which was grasped by the one who pulled. The clothing and food were strapped onto the frame. Only 17 pounds of luggage was allowed to a person.
The Willie Company, one of the two last companies to attempt to cross the plains that fall did not cross the Missouri River until August. Unfortunately and early winter set in. The company consisted of 500 souls, 120 carts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 45 beef cattle and cows.
The journey from Iowa City to the Missouri River was pleasurable in every particular. The roads were good, game was plentiful, and grass was high for the cattle. Arriving at Florence several days were spent making new carts and mending old ones and obtaining supplies.
On the plains they had many experiences. At Winter Quarters they rested and prepared to resume their journey to Zion. From Winter Quarters they traveled along Plum Creek. At a small place called Plum Creek the Indians drove off the beef cattle, which amounted to about 30 head , which was a very unfortunate occurrence.
Thomas with his Father pulled the cart with the provisions. A younger brother Enoch was ill the entire journey.
When the company reached a point about 300 miles west of Florence, they barely escaped being trampled under foot by a herd of frightened buffalo. With the loosing of many of their cattle, travel with the added loads was most difficult. The roads were very rough and much rawhide had to be used on the rickety carts to keep them from falling to pieces. The axles wore through before the journey was half ended causing much trouble and delay all along the road.
The early frosty nights made it cold for the immigrants but they pushed on until reaching Fort Laramie where they obtained some buffalo robes and a few more provisions.
On they traveled and with the consuming of the food it was discovered that the rations must be meted out to the men, women and children. On October 12 it was decided to apportion two ounces to each soul and on the 14th another reduction was made. Thomas tells of mixing the four ounces of flour with water and baking it over a bonfire made of buffalo chips, which he gathered.
This was their food for 24 hours. On the 19th the last ounces of flour was doled out. What made matters worse was that the snow was flying and it was already 18 inches deep on the level.
Just before camping at Sweet Water Thomas become too tired with pulling the loaded handcart and walking many miles that he laid on the ground along side of the road. His Father said to him: "You must not lie there, the wolves will eat you." The company trudged on and Thomas soon fell asleep from utter weariness. When he awoke it was dark and he had to feel the dust to find which direction the company had traveled. When he got up and began to walk he had not gone far when he saw a light and followed it until he arrived at camp. At Sweet Water nine members of the company died.
During their travel over the plains one of the Bowles oxen died. The company left the animal by the side of the trail. Thomas with a companion ran away from the company and walked back to the dead animal and skinned it and took a piece of the meat and boiled it and ate it. This was done because of their extreme hunger. The Captain, of course, would not allow them to eat the meat of a dead animal had he known.
At Rocky Ridge 13 members of the company died and while they were preparing to bury them two more died and they were buried with their clothes on in the same snow grave.
After the company started again Thomas' father became so tired he said, "I cannot pull the cart any further." In Thomas' own words he said, "So I pulled the cart until we came to Fort Bridger and then I dumped it into a hollow."
At this point of the journey Thomas tells of roasting buffalo hooves and eating them.
Beyond the South Pass a rescue party sent by President Young met the Willie Company. They had had nothing to eat for 48 hours and were freezing and starving to death. Wood was drawn to the camp from the neighboring hills and bonfires were lighted. Food was doled out and the immigrants took new courage. Yet nine died the night that the relief came.
William H. Kimball started for Salt Lake City with the Willie Company. It continued to snow and the nights were bitter cold. The women and children huddled at night around the fires, while the men did all they could to make it comfortable. They gathered wood and tried to keep the clothing dry. The company finally reached Green River where they were met again by supply wagons and in November the men at Fort Bridger welcomed them.
After arriving in Salt Lake City Thomas tells that his mother would give them a very small piece of bread. They would look at it and she would say, "You needn't look at it, it is all that you will get."
For two years Thomas worked in Salt Lake City for Bishop Brown of the 4th Ward. Here he hauled timber from the nearby hills and did any jobs that were to be done for the bishop. They moved to Nephi a few years after it had been settled.
When Thomas was 23 years old he hired a donkey for $5.00 and traveled to Manti and was married by Welcome Chapman a minister to Susannah Washburn (age 16) on January 27, 1859. His wife rode to Nephi with him after the ceremony on the donkey.
A log cabin with a dirt floor on the corner of 3rd North and 2nd East was built and served as their home. The cabin was located outside the Old Fort Wall making it much more dangerous to live there. They had no furniture. A hole left in the dirt floor for the hearth served as table and chairs. Here they could sit with their feet in the hole. A small piece of homemade carpet hung in the doorway served as a door.
He left his young wife many nights with only the carpet hanging to the door and went on guard in the Black Hawk War.
He experienced a narrow escape at one time when he drove a pair of wild steers hitched to a wagon from Sanpete County through the canyon to Nephi. He was also riding through the canyon the day the small company, to whom the monument is erected in the canyon, were killed. He did not know of the massacre until he reached home, where his wife and anxious friends were waiting fearing that he too had been killed.
Samuel Gilson, an early pioneer owed Charles Foote a debt. He was willing to pay this debt in horses which Mr. Foote took and with them bought tools for a butcher shop. Thomas Bowles ran the shop and was later given the tools by Mr. Foote, and he entered into the butcher business for himself. For several years he was engaged in this business. He was an excellent butcher and made many friends while in the shop.
He was one of the largest land owners in Nephi at that time. He also acted as a freighter to Salt Lake City carrying merchandise, grain etc. between the two points. He was know throughout this territory until the time of his death for his braided whips and laiette ropes. He hauled loads of logs for the Juab Stake Tabernacle. He had the distinction of buying possible the first cook stove in Nephi giving $150.00. He was a excellent gardener and made some money truck gardening. He possibly the best grafter Nephi has ever know. He was called to all parts of the country to graft trees.
He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 10 years by Richard Prater 1846 in England. He was always active in this capacity. While in England he acted as a Deacon, Teacher and Elder. President Wilford Woodruff ordained him a High Priest. In Nephi he acted as counselor to Bishop David Udall and counselor to David Cazier in the High Priest Quorum. He was a member of the first Old Folk's Committee and carved the meat for their banquets until his death a few years ago.
He played the drum and clappers in the first band organized in Nephi.
He was always known as a friend to the Indians and took them into his home many times. His home was always open to freighters and those who needed help.
At the age of 91 he died at his home in Nephi on March 1, 1927. The following children survive him: Thomas Edward, William Abraham and Martha Ann. Two Children died. An adopted daughter Mary J.J. also survives him. He has 22 grandchildren and 100 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
Susannah Washburn Bowles - 1843-1917
Born: 23 June 1843 at Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois; Parents: Abraham and Tamar Washburn
Married: 27 Jan 1859 at Manti, Sanpete, Utah to Thomas Bowles
Died: 25 March 1917 at Nephi, Juab, Utah
Mother of seven children: John 1859; Thomas Edward 5 dec 1860; William Abraham 5 June 1863; Martha Ann 13 Aug 1866; Alvin 15 Jan 1871; Mary Elizabeth 13 aug 1874; Mary J. 27 Jul 1878.
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2 comments:
The brother of Thomas and Enoch, is named William, not John. Or it could be John William?
This is the same account of my 4-great-grandfather that my mother has word for word, I was hoping I could find some other accounts of him, but thank you for posting this.
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