Among the distinguished men who have been born upon Union
County soil is James H. Bowden, who is one of the Judges of the Superior Court.
He is the son of John and and Lova A. (Farquier) Bowden. He was born March 15,
1833, and has reached his present position without much educational advantage.
His common school education consisted in about four years' training
altogether. The teachers he remembers are Myrom W. Safford, of Morganfield;
John C. Duke, of Washington County; and Joseph Pillsbury, at Bowling Green. He
began reading for the bar quite young, and was admitted to practice in October,
1855.
He married Nannie Morton at Russellville, Ky., on March 14,
1857. She is the daughter of Marmaduke B. and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Morton. He
has six children: Kate, married Henry M. Caldwell, of Russellville, and is the
mother of one child. The children at home are Marmaduke, Fannie Morton, Lizzie
Farquier, Mary Lova, and Henry William. Our subject has held the office of
Commissioner of Common Schools. He was also elected to the Superior Judgeship.
He has traveled extensively in the United States, Canada and Europe. He has
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South since 1852. He is also a
member of Russellville Lodge and Chapter of F. A. M. Judge Bowden is a man who
has advanced to responsible and trying positions from humble beginnings, and
who enjoys the esteem and confidence of the people in his region of country to
an unusual degree. His popularity, in Union County especially, has always been
great, and he cannot be easily ousted from the place he occupies in the
affections of the people.
