GEORGE W. BOWEN, farmer and distiller, P. O. Shawhan; was born Oct. 18,
1828, near Ruddel's Mills, Bourbon County; he is the son of Benjamin and
Mary (Current) Bowen, both natives of Bourbon County; two sons and three
daughters were born to them, of whom George W. was the oldest son. He
received a fair education at the district schools near Ruddel's Mills,
and remained with his father until he had grown to man's estate. From
1852 to 1856 he was engaged in the mercantile business in Ruddel's Mills
and then fitted up and run the old Spear's Cotton and Woolen Factory as a
flouring mill, which he run about one year, and then converted the same
into a distillery, and has since been operating it successfully. He
entered the Confederate Army in 1862, and was First Lieutenant of Company
C., of H. Smith's Regiment, and Buford's Brigade. On the Ohio raid in
July 1863, he was taken prisoner; he was first taken to Johnson Island,
where he was held about four weeks, and then sent to Allegheny City, Pa.,
and there placed with 115 others in the State Penitentiary, remaining in
confinement about eight months; orders were then received for all officers
ranking from lieutenant and higher to be removed to Camp Chase, Ohio;
there he was also confined for eight months, and was then released through
the influence of friends. Mr. Bowen now has 670 acres of fine land, well
improved, and for the past five years he has devoted much time and study
to the breeding of thoroughbred horses, of which he now owns about eighty
head. Notable among sales made by him, may be mentioned: Runymede, two
years old, bred upon his farm, and sold in 1881 for $10,000; Wallestein,
sold for $9,000; Quito and Elias Lawrence, the two for $5,000. Mr. Bowen
now has on hand ten or twelve fine two-year olds, and thirty-seven brood
mares. His progress and judgment in breeding have brought him rapidly
to the front in this industry. About 1875 he engaged in the hardware
trade in Paris, Ky., under the firm name of Ford & Bowen. In addition to
the above, Mr. Bowen owns one-twentieth of a tract of 500,000 acres of
mountain land, rich in timber, coal and iron ore. In the legitimate
acquirement of the property mentioned, Mr. Bowen has been entirely
dependent upon his own resources; his career only shows that can be
attained by well directed diligence, good judgment and economy. His
beautiful residence, a view of which appears in this history, was designed
by himself, and built according to his plans. He was married March 23,
1852, near his home, to Miss Lucy J. Wyatt, a native of the same place,
and born Feb. 19, 1832, her parents being Fleming R. and Martha (Rogers)
Wyatt. They have one son and three daughters living: Warren W. and Callie,
now wife of Alexander Keller; G. Ida, now wife of Dr. Arthur Keller, and
Miss Belle M. Their eldest son, John T. was killed by the cars in 1880.
