Thomas Bow and his Two Sons – Andrew Brownbill, 2001

In the early 1850’s, Thomas Bow, already in his seventies, along with his wife Janet and two sons left Calbernum (or Kilbirnie) in Ayreshire Scotland to eventually settle on a farm in Mara township, Ontario. On the north east side our Lake Simcoe, our version of the Bow family planted their Canadian roots. If one looks at a regular road map, I estimate that their farm is likely 4 miles due north of a small town called Brechin. It is likely on highway 169.

The family sailed to Boston in 1851. I believe that the family consisted of the two parents, 3 sons (Robert died in the American civil war) and likely at least 3 daughters. This account is the story of the two sons, James and George, and their descendants.

Thomas was a school teacher and the elder son James learned the skill of a wood carver back in Scotland. Records regarding the age of George Bow show a discrepancy, but I estimate that he was born in 1838. This would make him 13 in 1851. Also, George was supposed to be deaf as a post but we do not know if this was a deteriorating condition or if he was born this way. We can imagine that his father’s skill as a teacher would be invaluable.

The family stayed for one year in Boston and another year in New York. In 1853 records show that James Bow leased a farm (concession 7, lot 11) in Mara township from a person named Robert Anderson. In the meantime he was homesteading lot 11 in concession 8. At this time Thomas Bow taught school for three years. Sometime between 1853 and 1861 James worked in Toronto at the factory of Jackson and Hay. When the factory burned down James was severely scorched while escaping. I have to make the assumption that other members of his family lived on his farm while he worked in Toronto. The name Robert Anderson is interesting in that George Bow’s fourth son was named Robert Anderson Bow.

The census of April 1861 shows Thomas (age 82), his wife Janet (age 63), James (age 28) and George at age 23 living in Mara Township. I am guessing that the parents died within the next 10 years and their graves are near Brechin. These same census show the Tennants in Luther township near Grand Valley, Ontario. Janet Tennant (she is my great grandmother) was not born yet. At the same time Andrew McKee who would be 3 or 4 and his older sister Margaret would likely be on route from Ardara, Ireland to Pittsburgh Penn. When this happened I do not know, but it is safe to assume that it was before 1870. Both McKees are my great grandparents and George is my fourth great grandparent.

In the 1850’s two families of Dudenhoffers moved to Mara township. George Dudenhoffer was a farmer and his brother Andrew was a merchant. Both families had girls called Catharine but it would be George’s daughter (born October 23, 1849 in Germany) that would marry James Bow. Today there is a Dudenhoffer in Orillia and also in Barrie. I am assuming that they are descendants.

Not much information is available for the brothers for 1860’s. I am assuming that after their parents died, the boys moved to Oshawa. There George did carpentry work, and James worked at his profession as a wood carver. However their Orillia connections were not severed. On the 26 January 1865 James Bow had some sort of transaction in Mara township. For over 90 years James Bow and his family would have property in the Orillia area, but for now James continued to live in Oshawa with his brother George. I have not seen any evidence that George Bow had transactions in the Orillia area other than being a witness.

I am guessing that sometime in late 1869 or early 1870, George, as well as other young men his age, decided to seek his fortune in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. After all, he had an aunt there. In the summer of 1869 James was making the second of his many transactions and George was there to sign as a witness. Since George’s name did not appear in the census of 1871 I am assuming that George had settled in Pittsburgh and was about to marry an Irish lady by the name of Margaret McKee. Andrew would now be about 13.

The census of 1871 shows James Bow living in Oshawa, but as mentioned before, without his brother. I did not find Kate Dudenhoffer’s name but I assume that she was living near Baltimore. The Tennants had moved to Nicol township, somewhere between Elora and Fergus, Ontario. An interesting entry in these same census shows a George Tough (age 23) and Henry Tough (age 19) living in Fergus Ontario. It certainly takes little imagination to deduce that Henry Tough and Agnes Tennant had their start on the shores of the Grand River. Of course they are responsible for starting the Tough family in South River. Their grandson Alan teaches school in Sundridge and is an avid cross country skier. I do know that George Tough was a tailor in Fergus but I have no idea if he ever had any family. I believe that there was/is a George Tough in South River but not the same one.

Back in Canada, James was courting a young German girl named Kate Dudenhoffer. James and Catherine were married in Baltimore (Ontario version) on October 20, 1871 by Rev. J.L. Sanders. James was still living in Oshawa in the spring of 1871 and continued to do so after his marriage. In fact his oldest son was born in Oshawa.

Both brothers seem to have a contest to see who would produce children the quickest. George started first with Frances, Samuel, Thomas, Alexander (my grandfather) Robert Anderson and finally Janet Ellen (born November 5, 1880). James started with Thomas George (named after his two grandfathers), James Alexander, Charles Saunders, William B, Frank, Jessie (born April 2, 1883) and Herbert. Frank lived for only 20 months and he died on August 4, 1882. As a point of interest there was George Saunders in the Orillia area and I believe that he was a good friend of James.

After Charles was born, the family moved to their farm in Mara Township. In 1882 they would acquire their property at 60 Coldwater street in Orillia, and this was to be their family home until Thomas George died in 1946. There were many land transactions recorded for James Bow in the townships of Orillia and Mara plus the town of Orillia. I believe that these land investments would fund the parents in their retirement. James’ descendants can have fun haunting the Simcoe registry office trying to piece this puzzle together.

In 1877 George returned to Orillia area along with Irish wife and young family. The older brother James likely helped in settling the American transplants. It is my theory that they both converge on Mara township at the same time, say 1877. Robert Anderson Bow’s first recollection of life was going to Machar township. He remembers getting off the train at Gravenhurst – the last stop along the railway line in 1880. Of course George brought along the young brother-in-law Andrew. His strong back and fierce determination would be needed to help clear land and construct buildings. His son David would years later give a superb essay on early life in Machar township in his Memoirs of David McKee.

After re-reading David McKee’s account it is most likely that his father joined George Bow about 1880. The account states they went from Oro township to Machar township. I do know that Alexander Bow was born in Mara township on April 11, 1878. I also know that Andrew McKee was not an original homesteader. I think that we can assume that he helped his sister’s family with their farm . He would have to meet his wife in Machar township. He must have really liked this girl for he would have to ride horseback for 10 miles or row a boat for 2 miles just to see her. He likely did not take much convincing to go to church.

Also making the trip north to Eagle Lake were Dave and Rachel Tennant. 25 years previous, they had immigrated from Scotland to Upper Canada to Luther township. My feeling is that they were land tenants near Elora Ontario. Obviously the move to Machar township was an opportunity for a family of eight to acquire land cheaply. By 1880 the oldest daughter Agnes was married to Henry Tough of Fergus and they had started their family.

It is possible that Andrew McKee may have come to the conclusion that pioneering might have its advantages because there was a 17 year Janet Tennant making the same trip north. Ten years later they would be married.

For a quick update on the 1881 census, they show James Bow in Orillia. Their son Frank would be born in late 1880 but would only survive until August, 1882. Two other children Jessie and Herbert would be born later. In Machar township George Bow and his family would be settled on their new farm. Janet Tennant was still living with her family and Andrew McKee is a solitary entry in this census.

The Bow homestead as we know it is lots 24 and 25, 6th concession. By 1890 as mentioned Andrew McKee and Janet Tennant were married. They would occupy her parents farm across the lake from the Bows. They were to have 6 children – Ellen (my grandmother), David, Alexander, William, Rachel and Elizabeth, now known as Bess Minor or aunt Bess. Aunt Bess is still living on the same farm that she and her husband bought 65 years ago. She is very independent and self-sufficient. Three of her children still live in the area. In fact, Laurie Minor has established that he is related to Jack Minor, the famous naturalist. Also as a point of interest, I was named after Andrew McKee. In the census of 1891, George Bow is in Machar township and James Bow (spelled Bowes) is in Orillia. By now the James Bow family were in their home at 60 Coldwater Street, Orillia. Andrew and Janet McKee were also an entry, but no family – however Ellen was to be born later that year. The Toughs were still going strong, in fact the lumberman Bill Tough just made it as an entry of the 1891 census.

By 1891 Samuel Bow was listed as a 16 year old wage earner. All the children were living at home. The first tragedy would occur on March 4 1895, when Frances Bow would die from consumption or tuberculosis. This disease would eventually claim 3 more female Bows. A fifth, Beatrice, would beat this disease some 50 years later.

Samuel Bow left home to work as a teamster. This occupation was not related to labour unions but a teamster drove horses. A good teamster would have to keep their wagons well maintained and know what grease to use on axles, etc. Ball bearing were not invented in those days. On October 30 1904, Samuel Bow was killed in a railway accident at Pomford Station (now part of Sudbury). The details are non existent and this I find strange. There were no newspaper accounts or coroner’s reports.

At the age of 70, James Bow would die at home on February 18, 1902. His wife Catherine would continue to live at 60 Coldwater Street. George Bow died on January 23 1905. His wife Margaret would continue to live on the farm until she died. Alexander would eventually become the owner and would live there until 1950. Mrs. Catherine Bow would live until 1926.

I will complete this essay with some notes on the third generation or the children of James and George Bow. At this writing the research is still incomplete.

Naturally in my view the most important member of this group was my grandfather Alexander Bow. He was born on April 11, 1878 in the township of Mara in Ontario. He would eventually own the family homestead at Eagle Lake. He married Ellen McKee, his first cousin the daughter of Andrew McKee. They would be the parents of 9 children – Wilmer Vernon, Janet Ellen or Aunt Jean, George Graydon, Arthur, Gladys, David Alexander, Margaret, Beatrice May, and Robert. Some 30 years ago I went for a hair cut in South River and the barber thought that I was Bob Bow. Gladys is my natural mother but Beatrice took over the job when I was 9 – lucky woman. (Letters from Alex Bow to his cousin Emma (Bow) in Australia from 1913-25 can be seen in a separate page – Letters from Alex Bow) My grandmother Ellen or Nell died of tuberculosis in 1928. My grandfather died on December 31, 1950. To this day I have some very fond memories of him and some day I will expand them. As mentioned before, the two older children Frances and Samuel died extremely young and are buried in the Bow cemetery at Eagle Lake.

Robert Bow was married but had no children. He lived in Saskatchewan for a while but eventually retired to South River. He lived to about 95 for he passed away on November 24 1974. Thomas Bow had a farm on the other side of the lake to my grandfather. He had two children – George and Elizabeth. His wife or Aunt Annie was the mid-wife at my birth. Their descendants seem to be concentrated in the Brockville area.

The youngest child named Janet Ellen would marry a CNR engineer and would live in Winnipeg. One of her sons, Tyson Birkett became a member of the RCMP. He is now retired and living in Toronto. He has fond memories of his visits to the homestead at Eagle Lake. A daughter Janet is living in Manitoba. Just so that the reader will not be confused there were 2 Janet Ellen Bows. I have counted 7 Ellens in our family from Ellen McClintock (Andrew and Margaret McKee’s mother to Michelle Ellen Laroche (my niece).

Three of James Bow’s children, Thomas George, William and Jessie, simply did not get married. Charles Saunders Bow would have three children, two of them are still living. Lyman Bow is now retired to his farm in Oxford Station. He has children living in Chatham, Toronto and Brockville. Chances are that the two sets of third cousins in Brockville do not know that the other exist. His sister Marjorie Fehler and her family live in London.

I believe that James Alexander Bow had a family in Cleveland Ohio. He was an engineer that helped construct roads in South America. I want to mention that I have a son named James Alexander. We selected James because we liked the name. Alexander is a name on both sides of our family. Herbert moved to Winnipeg and from there the trail is cold.

Jessie Bow passed away on February 15, 1935 at the age of 53. October of 1938 would be very tragic for the Bow family. William B Bow died in St. Josephs Hospital in Toronto on October 7, 1938. While they were conducting the funeral service in Orillia for William, Charles S Bow  passed away on October 10, 1938 at his residence in Toronto at 39 Winchester Street

On January 19 1946, Thomas George Bow passed away at his residence in Orillia at 60 Coldwater Drive, at the age of 74. Thomas worked for Massey Harris in Toronto for a short period. But the majority of his life would be in Orillia. His occupation was moulder or mechanic. Both William and Charles were writers or reporters. They co-published a periodical called HOTEL and TRAVEL. Charles also was an advertising manager. William lived in Cleveland but ended back in Toronto.

I do know that my grandfather was in contact with his cousins Bill, Charles, and Thomas. It is very feasible they made trip to the homestead at Eagle Lake. I believe that the 3 brothers were avid fishermen so it is credible to me they fished for perch and bass with my grandfather at Eagle Lake.

This closes the first instalment of the Bow family history. Why I am doing this I am not really sure. This all started when my mother requested that I find out when her grandmother Bow (Margaret McKee) was born and when she died. I still do not know either, but I have not given up. Actually I am convinced that she is like Elvis and still living. The Ontario government is not convinced that she is dead. Well, I wish that they send her home – she is about to celebrate her 150 birthday. I suspect that her date of death is about xxxx.

I found it extremely interesting to trace James Bow and his family. I have talked to Elizabeth and James Winston Bow, grandchildren of Charles Saunders and I have also talked to their father Lyman Bow. Their brother Charles provided me with an obituary of James Bow Sr. that tied up all the loose ends.

There are other Bows in Canada. William Bow settled in Winchester township near Cornwall. He came from Scotland in 1840. His father was also Thomas and for a while I thought that he was a brother to George and James but this is not so. His descendents are likely in the Ottawa area, as one of his sons settled in Osgoode township.

There was a clan of Bows that lived in west end Toronto. They are buried in Prospect cemetery. I found this family interesting but I still do not know who is related to whom. I found many Alexanders, several Williams, two Andrews and yes one Ellen. Since we are not related to them I have given up trying to piece them together.

Buried at St. Andrews Cemetery in Orillia are James and Catherine Bow and children Thomas, William, Frank and Jessie. George and Maria (Weiman) Duddenhoffer are also buried there. Charles S Bow and his wife Florence and son Charles F are buried in Mount Pleasant cemetery in Toronto. The Bow cemetery is a plot of land on the original homestead donated to the church. George and Margaret Bow and 3 of their children – Frances, Samuel and Alexander are buried there. Also buried there are my grandmother Ellen (McKee), my uncles, Wilmer and Graydon, and Aunt Jean. My Aunt Jean or Janet Ellen Bow died in 1939. Adding to the list of people buried there are Andrew and Janet McKee, David and Rachel Tennant and Henry and Agnes Tough. Robert Anderson Bow and his wife are buried in the South River cemetery. I am still searching for the final resting spot of Thomas and Janet Bow (my great great grandparents).