The Boehler family in 1905 lived at 537 S. Christian Street in Lancaster. From left, standing, are Marie Louise Boehler Bowman, Ernest F. Boehler Jr., Anna Boehler Dorwart, Adolph Boehler, Frederick R. Bowman. Sitting, left to right are Ernest F. Boehler, Helen Boehler Owens, Anna Marie Renk Boehler. Children standing are Marie Louise Bowman Marion (left) and Alva Boehler Kahl (right).
Datestone of carved sandstone from mill of Wendell (Vantil) and Anne Bowman. Thick slab of sandstone with tombstone shape. Face is carved in bas-relief. Within a molded edge is a double-headed eagle perched atop a floral/scrolling motif ending in two double-leafed tulips. Below is an incised text in English: "Built by vantil/ & anne boman/ 1797."
According to Our Present Past, Bowman's Mill was on Penn Grant Rd., south side, east of Pequea Creek. It was a three story, three bay by five bay stone mill, with keystone lintels. At the time of the 1985 survey, the mill was abandoned and deteriorating quickly with no roof. After Bowman, the mill was sold to the Brackbill family in 1805 and then to Henry Neff in 1874. The Ellis & Evans account differs in dates and names (p. 1066).
There was a Wendel Bowman (1670-1735) who was among the first party of about ten Swiss Mennonite families who settled in Lancaster Co. in 1710. He immigrated to Germantown in 1707 before coming to Lancaster (Ellis & Evans, p. 685). He had a son Christian, who had a son Christian II (1724-1790), who had a 3rd son WENDELL (1758-1842) who married ANNE and built the mill. Thus, he was great grandson of the immigrant ancestor. Ellis & Evans note that Wendell Bowman operated a tavern in what is now Strasburg Twp. (p. 23) as well as the mill (p. 1066).
Provenance
Since the mill was in a state of disrepair, the owner hired Benuel King, an Amish demolition contractor, to raze the building, apparently sometime within the past year (2000). The datestone subsequently turned up at the Conestoga sale with no explanation as to origin.
Overall good condition but heavily pitted. Multiple losses, esp. around outside corners. Small fissures/scars, especially from "B" of Built extending to "e" of Anne, as well as a smaller one at top of arch. Significant portions of the right claw of eagle are missing. Remnants of mortar still attached to sides.
Object ID
P.01.17.1
Notes
Copyright photos provided by Frank Heatwole Dec. 2004
Charles Bauman (descendant) of Michigan visited July 2010 and purchased photo of datestone.
Ellis & Evans History of Lancaster County
Our Present Past
The unusally ornate design depicts the mix of cultures prevalent in Lancaster County. The double-headed eagle, the emblem of the Holy Roman Emperor, is not what one would expect from a Mennonite whose family had fled these very lands to escape the sufferings and deprivations of war and religious persecution. The design unexpectedly includes tulips to accompany the eagle. Finally, the Bowmans wanted their datestone written in English instead of their native German, likely an attempt to connect with their English-speaking neighbors whom they hoped would become customers. (Wendell Zercher)
Place of Origin
Strasburg Twp.
Usage
Bowman's Mill
Credit
Gift of John J. Snyder, Jr., in honor of the Krote cousins, Heri
Lemon Street School, Lancaster, 1894 - 1895 class, A. R. Stamy, teacher. Identified, starting with the back row, from left to right: G. B. Weaver, Howerd F. Brimmer, james B. Stauffer, Samuel R. Fraim, Ralph Zook, Newton Buch. Next row, left to right: William Edwards, "Skinny" Vondersmith, John Haas, Jay Reist, Walter Fraim, Elmer Zercher, William Hoefel, Paul Evans, Martin Wolf. Next row, left to right: Robert Zahm, Ed Illyus, "Joker" Strauss, J. Piersol Conn, Paul Owens, Charles Ezra Bowman, John S. Cochran. Next row, left to right: Robert Reist, Sam Keller, George H. Dodge, John J. Bowman. Front row, from left: Albert Raub, Arthur Hammel, Luther Heisey, Eddie Glass, Thomas Jeffries, Harry Mowery, Walter Dunlap, Dave Culp, James P. Martin, James Best, Daniel Agnew.
Faculty of Bowman Technical School. Identified are: John Hinkel, Edward Ganse, Bill McKnight, Ralph Harry, George S. Miller, J. Elliott Steinert, Walter Haesler, Helen Haesler, John J. Bowman, Charles Bowman, Eugene Biggs, and Harry Hart.
The Bowman Technical School was founded by watchmaker Ezra F. Bowman in 1887 to teach the trade of watchmaking and engraving. During World War I, the Bowman Technical School trained soldiers to repair delicate aviation and naval instruments.
The Bowman Technical School was founded by watchmaker Ezra F. Bowman in 1887 to teach the trade of watchmaking and engraving. During World War I, the Bowman Technical School trained soldiers to repair delicate aviation and naval instruments.
The Bowman Technical School was founded by watchmaker Ezra F. Bowman in 1887 to teach the trade of watchmaking and engraving. During World War I, the Bowman Technical School trained soldiers to repair delicate aviation and naval instruments.
The Bowman Technical School was founded by watchmaker Ezra F. Bowman in 1887 to teach the trade of watchmaking and engraving. During World War I, the Bowman Technical School trained soldiers to repair delicate aviation and naval instruments.
The Bowman Technical School was founded by watchmaker Ezra F. Bowman in 1887 to teach the trade of watchmaking and engraving. During World War I, the Bowman Technical School trained soldiers to repair delicate aviation and naval instruments.
