Josiah Hite Bowman (Meyersdale, PA)
Josiah Hite Bowman (November 5, 1874 – July 7, 1962)
Biography
- Name: Josiah Hite Bowman
- Birth: November 5, 1874, Stoystown, PA
- Death: July 7, 1962, Meyersdale, PA (Buried Southmont, PA)
Josiah Hite Bowman was born in the village of Stoystown, November 5, 1874. His father, Captain Noah Bowman, was a Civil War veteran and ultimately died of wounds received in action in the battle of Five Forks, Virginia. Mr. Bowmand received his middle name from his mother Elmira Hite Bowman of Stoystown. She was a sister of Captain John Hite, a valued friend of his father, Capt. Hite being commander of Co. H, 54th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, known throughout the Civil War and in tradition as the "Bloody 54th," which under Generals Siegel, Hunter and Sheridan, engaged in many battles and eventually cleared the Shenandoah Valley of Confederate forces. The Hites were for many years owners of the Hite House, an old-time hostelry famous from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh for its meals and genuine old-time hospitality.
For a period of 33 years, from his birth to moving to Meyersdale in 1907, "Joe" Bowman, as his numerous intimate friends called him, lived in the house in which he was born in Stoystown, excepting a few years that he spent in Pittsburgh. As a lad he attended the grade schools of that borough, before and after school helping his father in the store, as for many years Captain Bowman was the leading merchant of his home town.
At 20 years of age, young Bowman decided upon a business course and entered the Iron City Business College in Pittsburgh. There he remained during 1894-95 and graduated in bookkeeping and general accounting. His practical training and experience of the following year, a post graduate course with the college, was equally valuable to him in his later years.
His first job after completing his business college course was with the old established banking house of T. Mellon & Son. The bank was located on Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh, on the same site occupied by the present imposing Mellon banking building.
Ill health caused by wounds received in the Civil War caused his father, Capt. Bowman, to sell his mercantile business to Berkey & Kimmerman. His death followed soon afterward. Thereupon "Joe" Bowman returned to Stoystown and repurchased the business so long and successfully conducted by his father and for five years, from 1896 to 1901, he successfully operated the store himself.
His taste of banking in the service of T. Mellon & Son, whetted his appetite for that line of business with the result that in 1901 he organized and opened the First National Bank of Stoystown, of which he remained the active head until he accepted a call from the Second National Bank of Meyersdale to become its cashier and actual manager.
It was in 1907 that Mr. Bowman became identified with the Second National Bank of Meyersdale and has since made his home there and been a leading figure in the business life of this community. At the time he took charge of the Second National, it had resources of approximately $250,000; these have increased to a total in excess of $1,800,000 by 1935.
Shortly after his return to his native town from Pittsburgh, and while conducting the mercantile business so long owned by his father, Mr. Bowman married Miss Mattie Brubaker, a member of one of the oldest and most respected families in Stoystown. She has graciously presided over his home for more than 30 years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are active church members, affiliated with the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, respectively. Like many prominent Pennsylvanians, the Bowmans would escape to St. Petersburg, Florida for a winter vacation.
Mr. Bowman was a 32d degree Mason. Political preferment never appealed to him, but he was always an ardent Republican and took an active interest in electing good men to office. Substantial public-spirited man of affairs that he was, he had been an unostentatious factor for good in the community in which he spent the better part of his life. He served as the bank president for 20 years and was succeeded by his son, R.H. Bowman in that post. In 1962 he became chairman of the board, but passed away in July, just a few months later.
Bank Officer Summary
During his banking career, J. H. Bowman was involved with the following banks:
- First National Bank, Stoystown, PA (Charter 5682): Cashier 1901-1907
- Second National Bank, Meyersdale, PA (Charter 5801): Cashier 1908-1935
Sources
- Josiah Hite Bowman on Findagrave.com.
- Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://bbdata.banknotehistory.com
- The Republic, Meyersdale, PA, Thu., Mar. 28, 1935.
- The Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA, Fri., July 13, 1962.