BOWEN

Stephen was born in 1814 in North Carolina.  Nothing is known about his early life, but by 1840, he had wed Mary Ann Wilson, and the two went on to have ten children. Stephen is listed in census records as both a farmer and a labourer, and while dates and reasons are unclear, the family changed states several times, traveling from North Carolina to Georgia, then Louisiana, and finally to Texas. In 1862, while living in Louisiana, the two eldest sons became casualties of the Civil War, dying just months apart. The following year, their youngest son was born. Stephen passed away in 1872, leaving Mary a widow with 8 surviving children ranging in age from 31 to 9. 

Stephen & Mary's children:

William Bowen, 1840 - 1862

James Bowen, 1841 - 1862

Mary Bowen, 1843 -

Lucinda Bowen, 1845 -

Sarah Bowen, 1850 - 1930

Stephen Bowen, 1852 - 

Luther Bowen, 1854 - 1936

Robert Bowen, 1856 - 

Ellen Bowen, 1859 - 1904

George Bowen, 1863 - 

Luther entered the world on the 1st of June, 1854, in North Carolina. While little is known about his early life, it can be assumed it was tumultuous. During the first 8 years of his life, his family lived in at least 3 different states and his two oldest brothers were killed in the war. By the age of 18, the family had changed states once again, and his father had passed away. 

In 1880, Luther married Rebecca Crawford, and the two changed states one more time, settling in Oklahoma, where they would remain for the rest of their lives. This is where my more tangible history begins, as Luther and Rebecca farmed, raised their children, retired, and passed away in the very town my own father was born in. Luther died on the 5th of March, 1936, at the age of 81.

Luther & Rebecca's children:

James Bowen, 1882 - 1953

Telia Bowen, 1890 - 1966

Minnie Bowen, 1892 - 1893

Arthur Bowen, 1894 - 1900

Clifford Bowen, 1897 - 1981

Ruth Bowen, 1899 - 1993

Alex Bowen, 1902 - 1951

Telia Bowen, my  great-great-grandmother, was born on the 1st of July, 1890, in rural Oklahoma. On New Year's Eve, 1911, she wed William Ernest "Pat" Hooker, who, according to census records, lived on a neighbouring farm. Telia and Pat had two daughters, a full decade apart, and by all accounts lived a simple but happy life. 

In 1943, Telia, Pat, and several other family members were involved in a serious car accident when they struck a deer. While most of the occupants suffered only cuts and bruises, Telia suffered a fractured hip and various other injuries from which she never fully recovered. All stories I have heard about "Grandma Teely", as she was affectionately named, include her being on crutches or in a wheelchair. Telia passed away in 1966, at the age of 76. 

Telia and William's children:

Josephine Rebecca Hooker, 1914 - 1996

Winnie Ruth Hooker, 1924 - 2022

To learn more about Telia and William's family, please visit the Hooker page.