William Bowman (miller) facts for kids

William Bowman (born around 1811 – died 29 May 1894) was an important early settler in South Australia. He was a farmer, raised animals, and ran a flour mill. He lived near the Finniss River and Middleton.

William Bowman's Life Story

William Bowman and his brother Alexander grew up in Scotland. Their parents were Archibald and Anne Bowman. They lived near a place called Cawder Mill.

Starting a New Life in Australia

William came to South Australia in 1839. He started farming with a man named Thomas Hogarth in an area called Black Forest. William was very interested in new farming tools. He used and helped improve a machine called the Ridley reaper. This machine made harvesting crops much easier and faster.

William even went to the goldfields in Victoria for a while! When he returned, he started his own farm and animal-raising property. He called it "View Bank." This property was located near the Finniss River and Middleton. He later sold "View Bank" to W. S. Rogers around 1878.

Running a Flour Mill

William Bowman also owned the Middleton flour mills. He worked with Arthur Richman Addison for many years. They bought wheat and sold chaff, which is dried hay used for animal feed.

Over time, it became harder to transport goods by river, and his business faced difficulties. In 1886, he had to sell the mill. After this, he retired and moved to Mount Barker.

Community Involvement

William was a Justice of the Peace, which meant he helped with legal matters in the community. He also supported the Mount Barker Show Society. He often helped judge at the Mount Barker Agricultural Show. He was also a member of the board for the Mount Barker Presbyterian Church. William Bowman passed away after a short illness. His old property, "View Bank," was later taken over by Charles Henry Dunn.

William Bowman's Family

William Bowman was married and had nine children:

• His oldest daughter, Helen, married Charles William Colman in 1867. They lived in Port Elliot.
• His second daughter, Annie Murdoch, married George Septimus Read in 1878. They lived in Victor Harbor.
• His third daughter, Elizabeth, married Arthur Richman Addison in 1870.
• His fourth daughter, Jessie, married William George Percy Joyner in 1877.
• His fifth daughter, Agnes Bowman, married Louis von Doussa in 1874.
• His oldest son was Archibald.
• His sixth daughter, Belle, married William Hogarth in 1881. William was the son of Thomas Hogarth.
• His son, James, was also known as "Jim." He married Agnes Love Johnston in 1887. Agnes was the daughter of Andrew Galbraith Johnston.
• His seventh daughter was Jane Smart Bowman.

William's brother, Alexander Bowman, was also a Justice of the Peace. Alexander married Hellen Smart in 1857. After she passed away, he married Margaret Knight in 1865. Alexander was also a partner in the Middleton mill before he retired to "Cawder" in Port Elliot.

Both William and Alexander Bowman were buried in the Port Elliot cemetery.