Judge John Rankin BOWEN

John R. Bowen, present county judge of Wharton County, is an esteemed citizen, a capable businessman and a public-spirited administrator of public affairs. He was born in Anderson, Texas, March 29, 1847, and received his education in the old Austin College (Presbyterian) at Huntsville. After that he enlisted in Company K. Brown's regiment and saw service during the last two years of the war in Texas and Louisiana. Shortly after returning home from the war he moved to Williamson county and began farming and raising stock. He was a successful man in this industry and continued it for many years. In 1895 he moved to Wharton County, taking up his residence at El Campo, and in 1896 was elected justice of the peace. He held this office twelve years, and in 1908 was elected to his present office of county judge. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of Bushnell Camp, U. C. V., and of the Baptist church. Judge Bowen married, in 1886, Miss Elizabeth R. Zirkle. Her father was Jacob Zirkle, of Virginia. Of the five children born to them, three are living: Adam R., of El Campo; John Louis and Edith Merle.

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