Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... Bowen, Albert W
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County IL, 1878

Albert W. BOWEN, retired, Wilmington; born in Berkshire Co., Mass., Feb. 6, 1803, but 
removed in early childhood with his father's family to Oneida Co., N. Y., this and Herkimer 
Co. being his home for many years; in 1827, he graduated at the Western College of Physicians 
and Surgeons at Fairfield, N. Y., and, six years later, removed to Illinois, locating in 
Joliet in the spring of 1834, where he engaged in the practice of his profession; in December 
of the following year, he went to Vandalia, then the State Capital, at his own expense, for 
the purpose of having Will County set off and the county seat located in Joliet; in 1836, he 
partially gave up the practice of medicine, and engaged in mercantile business, under the firm 
name of A. W. Bowen & Co., and the following year purchased a half-interest of Thomas and Joseph 
COX in the present city of Wilmington (then called Winchester); in 1838 - 39, he built the 
Wilmington Mill, which was the first flouring-mill built here, and, the same season, sold 
his store to Gov. MATTESON, giving his special attention for several years thereafter to the 
practice of medicine; in 1849, it became necessary for him to devote a greater share of his 
time to his business interests at Wilmington, and, in the fall of that year, he removed his 
family. He served as the Treasurer of the Board of School Trustees for several terms; also 
served as member of the Town Board and City Council. Married in March, 1831, to Miss Mary C. 
SHOEMAKER, who was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y.; four children by this union - Rodney S., Major 
of the 100th IL I. V.; was wounded at the battle of Franklin Dec. 1, 1864, and died of wounds 
on the 3d. As the Doctor was among the first settlers of the county, much more will be found 
concerning him in the general history of the county; also the separate histories of the cities 
of Joliet and Wilmington given in this work.


Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

File at: http://will.illinoisgenweb.org/bios/bowenab.txt