From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902 
 
Typed by Carol Taylor Lanza. 
 
Page 833 
 
R. HUBBARD BOWMAN.  The business of general merchandising in a 
community like Valley Grove, Ohio County, Virginia, is always of 
considerable importance.  The man who has the faculty of carrying on 
such a business and making it a success, becomes an important factor in 
the general prosperity of the community.  This is well exemplified by 
the career of Mr. Bowman, who conducts a well-stocked general 
mercantile establishment.  He was born in Ohio County, West Virginia, 
in 1870, and is a son of Alfred and Margaret J. (Parsons) Bowman.   
   Alfred Bowman was born in Ohio County, in 1826, and was farmer by 
occupation.  He married a daughter of Jehu Parsons, also a farmer, who 
was born in 1814 in Marshall County, Virginia (now West Virginia).  The 
latter died at the age of seventy-three years.   
   R. Hubbard Bowman gained his early education in the district 
schools, and at the early age of sixteen years was put to work on a 
farm.  He remained at that occupation until twenty-four years old, and 
in 1890 purchased a building which he greatly improved and furnished 
with a stock of general merchandise.  He has been doing a prosperous 
business ever since, and his trade is daily increasing.  During 
President McKinley's first administration, he was appointed postmaster 
of Valley Grove in June, 1897, and was continued during that 
president's second administration. 
    Mr. Bowman chose for his life companion, Lulu Wayt, who was born 
September 29, 1877, and is a daughter of R.B.and Mary (Caldwell) Wayt. 
 Her father was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is still living, 
but her mother died in August, 1880.  Mr. and Mrs. Bowman were married 
on February 20, 1895, and have no children.  Religiously, they belong 
to the Presbyterian church.  In politics, our subject is a decided 
Republican.