Biographical sketch extracted from:

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. p. 834.

MATTHIAS W. BOWMAN is the resident manager of the business of Ferguson & Bowman, lumber manufacturers, at Murray Station, Lancaster Township. The property is situated in the center of section 16, where they own 260 acres of land adjoining their steam saw-mill, the timber from this land being manufactured into lumber by themselves, and the land being as fast as cleared placed under cultivation. Their mill is 30 x 104 feet, with a fifty horsepower engine, and was erected in 1882. Since acquiring the property the firm have made quite extensive improvements, among the most noticeable being Mr. BowmanÂ’s fine residence, near the mill, and a large barn. Mr. Bowman is a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana County, February 21, 1843, and is a son of Henry and Harriet (Armstrong) Bowman. In 1854 he was brought by his parents to Allen County, Indiana, his parents still living on their property in La Fayette Township. They were natives of Columbiana County, Ohio. Our subject remained under the home roof until he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, when he became a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirtyseventh Indiana Infantry, He was mustered into the service May 1, 1864, for 100 days. He was in service principally in Tennessee until his discharge, September 21, 1864, when he returned to his home in Allen County, and engaged in teaching for about two years. He was married in April, 1866, to Miss Sarah Crab, a daughter of William Crab, who resides in La Fayette Township, Allen County. Mrs. Bowman died in 1870, aged twenty-three years, and December 23, 1874, Mr. Bowman married Miss Elizabeth Wilkerson, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, but reared in Allen County, Indiana, her father, Thomas Wilkerson, being a resident of La Fayette Township. In 1869 Mr. Bowman engaged in the lumber business with his father in Allen and Huntington counties, continuing until 1878, when the firm became Ferguson & Bowman. In 1882 they transferred their business to its present location, Mr. Ferguson residing at Ferguson Station, Allen County. Mr. Bowman has charge of the railroad business at Murray Station. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Bluffton Lodge, No. 145, and Chapter No. 95. He is also a comrade of Lew Daily Post, G. A. R, at Bluffton.