The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Center Township, pages 506-507
James A. Bowen, a farmer of Danville, was born near Flemingsburg, in Fleming County, Ky., Dec. 15, 1810. When he was fifteen years of age he began to learn the tanner's trade near his birthplace, serving an apprenticeship for four years. At the age of nineteen he worked as a journeyman tanner in Flemingsburg a few months, after which he went to Cincinnati, where he worked a short time when he returned to Flemingsburg. From there he went to Mason, Ky., where he worked till 1832, when he becomes associated with Thomas Darnell in the tanning business at Poplar Plains, Ky., under the firm name of Darnell & Bowen. At the end of four years he sold out and in 1836 he came to Indiana, locating in what is now Maysville, in Putnam County, where he engaged in tanning till abut 1842. He then purchased a farm near Maysville, to which he moved his tan-yard and carried on farming and tanning till 1852, when he devoted his entire time to his farm until 1865. He then farmed in Center Township, Hendricks County, until 1877, when he retired from active life and has since made his home in Danville where he expects to spend the rest of his days. He has been twice married; his first wife being Rebecca Keith whom he married in 1836 and who died in 1839. He was married to his second wife, Teressa Sander, Nov. 5, 1840. They have eight children living--Nancy Jane, wife of James Ford, of Ladoga, Ind.; Lydia Ann, at home; Mary, a teacher in Alabama; Eliza, widow of the late W.H. Scearce; Matilda, wife of Dr. Frank C. Furgeson, of Indianapolis; Amanda, at home; Charles F., local editor of the Hendricks County Republican, and William V., on a farm in Center Township. Robert C. died in infancy, and Oliver W. died when two years of age. Mr. Bowen and wife are members of the Christian church of which he is an Elder.