William P. Bowen has been a resident of Independence, Kan., since 1882, in which year he and his father, George W. Bowen, came to this city and here established the Eagle Roller Mills, with which his father was connected up to about 1903, when he retired from active business life, now (1911) being eighty years of age. George W. Bowen was born in Ohio, from which state he went to Iowa, in 1851. He established, at Ottumwa, Iowa, one of the first mills of that place. He married Ellen Hackworth, a native of Ohio, daughter of George W. Hackworth, who was also a native of the Buckeye State. Mr. Hackworth moved to Iowa at a very early date, aided in surveying government land, and later, in 1870, came to Kansas as a government surveyor of lands. While George W. and Ellen (Hackworth) Bowen were living at Ottumwa, Iowa, William P. Bowen was born unto them, Aug. 31, 1855. The son was first sent to the public schools and then to the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Ill., where he remained one year and then returned to the parental home, at Ottumwa, Iowa. He later became a resident of Labette county, Kansas, and in that county cast first presidential vote, in 1876, for the Republican candidate. He afterward returned to Ottumwa, Iowa, and there was married, Jan. 17, 1878, to Hester Amelia, daughter of William J. Purnell, who had moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, from Illinois, in which latter state his daughter was born. As already stated, Mr. Bowen came to Independence, in 1882, and in association with his father established the Eagle Roller Mills, of which he is now the proprietor. He is also the owner and builder of a flour mill at Elk City, Kan., and has other business interests. He has achieved success in the business world and has materially contributed to the upbuilding of Independence, in which city he served three terms as mayor, two terms as councilman and three terms as a member of the city school board. In politics Mr. Bowen has affiliated with the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a Knight Templar Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. In church faith he is a Methodist. Unto Mr. Bowen and wife the following children were born: Louis H., who attended the University of Kansas and is now associated with his father in the milling business; Mary A., who is the wife of Robert M. Snyder, Jr., of Kansas City, Mo.; Charles E., of Independence, and Bertha H., at home.