Obadiah Bowen facts for kids

Obadiah Bowen was an important community leader and pastor. He was born on May 16, 1907, in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, USA, and passed away on April 7, 2004, in Athabasca, Alberta, Canada. Obadiah was one of the very first Black settlers to arrive in Amber Valley, Alberta. He helped build this community from the ground up.

Settling in Canada

Obadiah Bowen moved to Canada from Oklahoma in 1909. He came with his parents, Willis Reese Bowen and Jeanie Gregory Bowen, and his brothers and sisters. Four other families also came with them, thanks to his father's help.

Building a New Home

In 1913, Obadiah's father started a homestead at a place now called Obadiah Place. A homestead is a piece of land given by the government to people who promise to live on it and farm it. Their first home was a simple log cabin. This cabin became a very important spot for the community. It was used as a meeting place, a post office, and even had the first telephone in the area.

Later, in 1938, Obadiah Bowen built a new house to replace the old cabin. This house was recognized as an important historic site in Alberta in 1999.

Community Leadership

Obadiah Bowen was a respected leader in his community. He served as the town preacher, welcoming people from different churches. In 1953, he donated land to build a church for everyone. This church was about half a mile from his home.

His Work

Besides being a community leader, Obadiah Bowen also worked in construction. He helped build parts of the famous Banff Springs Hotel. He also worked on building roads and railways. He even worked as a freighter, which means he transported goods for others.

His Family

Obadiah Bowen married Eva Mae Mapp Bowen (1912–1972). They had four children together: Norma Jean Bowen (1938–2010), Yvonne Bowen (1941–1941), Oliver Bowen (1942–2000), and Vern Bowen. In 1996, Obadiah moved from Amber Valley to a nursing home in Athabasca. His siblings were Boadie Bowen (1900–1981) and Elrene Bowen (1909–1936).