Collection is open for research with the exception of Bowman correspondence from 1997-2019, which is restricted until July 15, 2035 per the amended donor agreement.
Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact research services staff at library-special@jmu.edu before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Original audiocassettes contained in this collection are restricted from access. Reformatted access copies may be available, or media reformatting may be available upon request.
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Eldon Bowman Collection of Bowman Family Papers, 1797-2019, SC 0328, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
The collection was donated by Eldon Bowman in four separate accruals between 2019 and 2024.
Much of the family papers and genealogical research that form this collection were compiled and stewarded by Eldon Bowman's father Millard, and then by Eldon after Millard's death in 1997. Bernie Bowman, Eldon's brother, is also a contributor to the collection. A selection of his writings - published and unpublished - are included.
Printed materials and monographs already held by Special Collections or deemed out of the collecting scope of Special Collections, yearbooks, and genealogy website printouts were not retained and were returned to the donor.
The bulk of the materials were provided by the donor in labeled envelopes and binders. The donor's descriptions and folder titles were largely retained, and in cases where descriptions were substantive, a scope and content note is included at the folder level. The binders and envelopes were discarded.
Audiocassettes listed in the container list have not been reformatted but can be made available upon request.
Given the genealogical focus of this collection, this biographical note is not intended to serve as an exhaustive description of the Bowman family tree, which would largely duplicate the information found within the collection materials. Researchers are encouraged to review Series 2: Genealogy Files for more detailed genealogical information on the Bowman, Hollar, Lahman, and Wenger families. Published genealogies on these families are also available for additional context.
The Eldon Bowman Collection of Bowman Family Papers primarily documents the Eli Martin Bowman (1861-1950) and Amanda Hollar Bowman (1865-1936) line of the Bowmans of Rockingham County, Virginia. Eli Bowman was the great-great-grandson of George and Barbara Bowman who immigrated to Pennsylvania from Germany in the late 1740s. The Bowmans moved to Rockingham County in the early 1770s and erected the "Bowman House" which is now part of the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. The descendants of Eli and Amanda Bowman documented in this collection include their son Luther Alexander Bowman (1884-1952) and his wife Otilla May Lahman (1891-1966), Luther and Otilla's son Millard Lahman Bowman (1914-1997) and his wife Oma Frances Wenger (1913-2002), and their nine children including Eldon Bowman (b. 1942) and Bernie Bowman (b. 1947). Many of the Bowmans were members of the Mennonite Church and were farmers by trade. Millard Bowman owned and operated a dairy and turkey farm with his family just outside of Harrisonburg. Eldon and Bernie Bowman as well as their siblings Jim, Daniel, and Miriam Haarer are all published authors. Their books include memoirs, genealogies, and family histories.
The Eldon Bowman Collection of Bowman Family Papers, 1797-2019, comprises genealogical materials (photocopied and original), correspondence, family papers, and financial and legal documents related to the Bowman family of Rockingham County, Virginia specifically the Eli Martin Bowman (1861-1950) and Amanda Hollar Bowman (1865-1936) line.
Since the collection contains original and photocopied documents, dates were applied to documents according to the date the original document was created and not when it was reproduced. Researchers should note that while genealogical materials are primarily arranged in Series 2: Genealogical Files, materials found within Series 1: Family Papers and Correspondence may also relate to Bowman and related family genealogies.
The collection is arranged into four series and further arranged chronologically. Exceptions to this arrangement were made in order to group like materials together specifically Hollar family genealogy research files.
Published monographs related to the Bowman family and/or local history were removed from the collection and cataloged individually as part of Special Collections rare book holdings.
Series 1: Family Papers and Correspondence, 1849-2019, comprises ledgers; legal and financial documents related to the personal business doings of Eli Bowman and settling numerous Bowman family estates; and correspondence and email exchanges between Eldon Bowman and his classmates from Turner Ashby High School discussing religion and their respective spiritual journeys, politics, and philosophy. Writings by Bernie Bowman include published articles and papers he presented at meetings of "The Thinkers," a discussion group in Tennessee of which Bernie was a member.
Includes names Eli M. Bowman, Isaac H. Bowman, and [Edmund T.] Bowman.
Eli Bowman records on settling his mother, Catharine Bowman's (1819-1882) estate
Jacob Wenger was the uncle of Oma Wenger Bowman.
Copy of original Great Granddaddy Elias Poems - Aunt Lois gave them to me some years ago - & I had them laminated for protection.
Includes receipts for electrical work completed by Roy S. Bowman at Eli Bowman's house as well as hospital and funeral bills after the death of Amanda Bowman in 1936.
Copies of letters written by Ottie Bowman to her son Paul Bowman when he was in alternate service during World War II.
Records of settlement of Ottie Bowman's estate. Millard Bowman acted as administrator.
Most addressed to William Bowman, father of Houston Bowman, the last resident at the original Bowman House.
Millard Bowman - Tenor, Harold Lahman - Lead, Amos Rhodes - Baritone, James McDorman - Bass
The Grandpa's Quartet "All Will Be Well"
Original audiocassette restricted from access. Reformatted access copies may be available, or media reformatting may be available upon request. Contact research services staff at library-special@jmu.edu for additional information.
Millard Bowman computations showing sale of farm and home in 1996. Also for 1996 estimated taxes and other tax returns.
Restricted from researcher access until July 15, 2035 per the amended donor agreement.
At a class reunion, three high school classmates found common ground in philosophy, religion, and politics. These emails are the result.
Series 2: Genealogy Files, 1797-2018, contains obituaries, funeral registers, funeral cards, typed and handwritten biographies, genealogies, and research notes on the Bowman family and the related Hollar, Lahman, and Wenger families. Much of the materials were compiled and written by Millard Bowman. Reference materials used in the writing of family histories by Eldon and Bernie Bowman are included.
Series is open to research.
Original audiocassettes contained within this series are restricted from access. Reformatted access copies may be available, or media reformatting may be available upon request. Contact research services staff at library-special@jmu.edu for additional information.
Photocopied maps, deeds, indentures, and notes.
Eli Bowman's wife was Amanda Hollar, the 22nd child of David Hollar. This cemetary is the burial site of a number of the Hollar relatives.
Old wills of Wenger family: Joseph, Peter, Dan, Ella Rhodes, Laura Suter Wenger, Peter's widow, sale of Millard Bowman Farm in 1996.
Original audiocassette restricted from access. Reformatted access copies may be available, or media reformatting may be available upon request. Contact research services staff at library-special@jmu.edu for additional information.
1910 calendar with photo of Luther A. Bowman (1884-1952) and his horse, Squench. Photo of Luther A. Bowman in his buggy.
Includes copy of letter from William D. Bowman dated January 13, 1856.
In the mid 1960s, Millard Bowman bought the home place of Sam and Hattie Spitzer. Hattie's mother was Sallie Hollar Berry, a sister to our great grandmother Amanda Hollar Bowman. Esther and Steve Showalter bought the place and extensively remodeled the house. There once was a mill there, fed by a strong spring. Millard Bowman tore out the old wooden race and replaced it with pipe. He continued to allow free water to the neighbors.
This is the community where the Eli Bowman and David Hollar families lived. Relatives noted.
Millard Bowman's incomplete memories. Written by request of his daughter, Miriam Haarer.
Not the same line of Bowmans, but Luther Bowman lived on one of the family's farms from 1905-1910.
These mills were big in the lives of Eli Bowman and his son, Luther Bowman - our great grandfather and grandfather.
The Bowman Mill at Greenmount (page 7) was founded by a Bowman family not related to our line. It passed through several generations and was owned in the early 1900s by a descendant - M.H. (Homer) Myers. Samuel Bowman owned a large farm north of Greenmount in addition to the Lincoln Homestead.
Luther lived and worked on the first firm (near Greenmount) when he left home at age 21.
Solomon Bowman moved to Indiana in the 1880s.
Oscar Wenger, oldest child of Jacob and Jenny Wenger, married Bessie Heatwole. She kept a daily diary for many years. This notebook contains many of her entries referencing Mr. Bowman. Our granddad Luther worked with/for Oscar from 1905-1910. We thought these references were about him. Later realized they referred to Sam Bowman (not related) who owned the farm where Oscar & Luther lived. Bessie's diaries are in EMU's Historical Library.
Series is an addition to the collection and comprises photographs, family papers, and local history materials. The Wenger line of the family is documented in this series.
Bowman family photographs including the George Bowman house and New Erection School. Photographs were identified and labeled by donor.
School was located north of Singers Glen, Virginia and near home of Eli Bowman and Amanda Hollar Bowman. Two of their children, Ruth and Bertha, are pictured. Approximately half of the students are identified.
The envelope that accompanied the photograph identified the school as Morning View School. A sheet listing students names identifies the school as Mt. Valley School.
Callie Rebecca Bowman (1888-1985) was the daughter of Eli Bowman and Amanda Hollar Bowman.
Issued to Millard Bowman and transferred to Laura Wenger, Bowman's mother-in-law.
Research compiled by Jim Duncan. Concerns the George Bowman house built circa 1772 in northern Rockingham County (west of Timberville) and relocated to the Frontier Culture Museum in the early 2000s.
Series is an addition to the collection and comprises photograph albums and one loose photograph documenting the extended Bowman family. Photographs document the Bowman family house (now located at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton), Wenger home (Mt. Clinton Pike), family reunions, and students at Dale Enterprise School. Individual and group photos of family members are included. Detailed descriptions were provided by the donor (or other family members) and are included with the albums. A detailed description of the history and architecture of the Wenger house accompanies the photograph.