Peter Bowerman

     Peter was born on Sunday, 24 April 1803 in East Hanover Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. On 3 July 1803, he was christened in Armstrong Valley, Dauplin County, Pennsylvania, at Fetterolf St. Peter's Lutheran & Reformed Church. Christening records note parents: Joh. Bauerman & Veronica Keiter & sponsors: Peter & Elizabeth Keiter. Peter married Nancy Anna Shaffstall, daughter of Solomon IM Shaffstall and Catharina Haag, circa 1829. The 1830 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the family of Peter Bowerman [1001:00001].³ 26 September 1850, Peter and his wife, Nancy, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Bloom Township. Enumerated in this household were Peter Bowerman [46 Pennsylvania], his wife: Nancy [40 Pennsylvania]. children: Daniel [20 Pennsylvania], Michael [16 Ohio], Catharina [12 Ohio], John [10 Ohio], Henry [7 Ohio], Betsy [4 Ohio], Peter [3 Ohio], & William [6/12 Ohio].⁴ 28 June 1860, Peter and his wife, Nancy, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Salem Township, Stueben County, Indiana. Enumerated in this household were Peter Bowerman [54 Pennsylvania farmer], his wife: Nancy [50 Pennsylvania], children: John [20 Ohio], Henry [16 Ohio], Elizabeth [14 Ohio], Peter [12 Ohio], & William [10 Ohio].⁵ 24 August 1870, Peter and his wife, Nancy, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Prairie Township, Kosciusko County, Indiana. Enumerated in this household were Peter Bowerman [76 Pennsylvania], Sarah Shively [35 Pennsylvania], his wife: Ann [60 Pennsylvania], & William [20 Ohio][farm laborer].⁶ Peter's wife, Nancy, died on 2 March 1879 in Berrien Township leaving him a widower. 7 June 1880, the U.S. Federal Census listed Peter living in the home of his son at Pipestone Township, Berrien County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Henry Bowerman [38 Michigan], Elmina [31 Michigan], Maggie G [5 Michigan], Willis B. [3 Michigan], Miles [4/12 Michigan] & father: Peter Bowerman [77 Michigan]. Henry is a carpenter and Peter is a retired farmer.⁷ Peter departed this life on Wednesday, 16 September 1885 in Warsaw at age 82 years, 4 months and 23 days.

Obituary: Peter Bowerman, who has been living with his son in Pipestone, went on a visit to Warsaw, Ind., and died there last week. He was an old resident of this county, his eighty-third year. The body was shipped back to Pipestone, and buried in Maple Grove church yard Sunday. The funeral was an unusually large one.

He was buried on 20 September 1885 at Berrien Township in the Maple Grove Cemetery. His tombstone reads: Peter Bowerman - died - Sept 16, 1885 - aged - 82 yrs, 4 Mos & 23 das.