BOWEN, John Cole (1872-1952)

MR. ST. JOHN COLE BOWEN, hails from the country of the Shamrock, having been born at Bowen's Court, in the County of Cork, in the year 1872. He obtained a thorough classical training at St. Columba College and the Dublin University, where he graduated in the year 1895.

It was his first intention to go into the army, but in the year 1897 he decided to come to South Africa, where, on landing he joined the Zululand Police, afterwards called the Natal Police, serving as a trooper at the time of the outbreak of the Boer War. Previous to coming to South Africa he held a commission in the K.R.R., which regiment he rejoined after leaving the Natal Police, and with which he served during the late campaign, eventually resigning his commission with the rank of Captain.

In the year 1900 he received the appointment of Magistrate at Senekal, Orange River Colony, and on the, evacuation of the town he was appointed Superintendent in charge of Norvals Pont, and a year later Chief Inspector of Refuge Camps in the Orange River Colony.

In 1902 he was appointed Magistrate at Winburg, and in July 1904 Resident Magistrate for the Fauresmith District, which position he fills today. Always taking an interest in sports, he is the Vice president of the cricket and football clubs and chairman of the district school committee. He was a member of the Reception Committee on the occasion of the first official visit of the High Commissioner and Lady Selborne to Fauresmith.

In the year 1903 he married Winifred, eldest daughter of Mr. Rosslieu, of Winburg, and has issue two sons.

Source: Men of the Times, published by The Transvaal Publishing Company, Johannesburg, Cape Town & London, printed by Eyre and Spottiswood, His Majesty’s Printers, 1906