Hyrum Webster Bowman

Hyrum Webster Bowman was born Aug 15, 1814 in Christiana, Delaware to John and Sarah Thompson Bowman. Hyrum is a Pioneer of Richmond. Hyrum is a veteran of the Indian Wars.

History

Early accounts of Hyrum suggest that he ran away from home at a young age, moving west to Iowa with a man named John Nebeker.1 Hyrum married Mary Bateman in Burlington, Iowa on May 13, 1843. Unfortunately, Mary died during childbirth in 1844, and the child did not make it either. A year later, Hyrum married a widow, Hannah Wilson, the sister-in-law of Mary.

It is unclear when the Bowman family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but some records suggest 1841. The family lived among many Saints in Iowa and later in Nauvoo, Illinois. The Bowman family joined an unknown company and moved to Utah in 1854, settling in West Jordan. Exactly 10 years later, the Bowman family moved to Richmond.

After the construction of the Richmond Fort in 1860 and other forts in Cache Valley, the Territory of Utah created the Cache Military District on Oct 15, 1861 with Church Apostle Ezra T. Benson as Colonel. Richmond was organized as the 5th Battalion Infantry, with Thomas L. Whittle as Major, David P. Rainy as Adjutant, and Robert M. Kerr and Dana Walton as Captains. On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. Hyrum was appointed Private in both instances.

While in Richmond, the Bowman family had a molasses mill in Cherry Creek for the settlers to use.2 Hyrum entered into the practice of polygamy, beginning on May 25, 1867 with Maren Katherine Eskildsen. Hyrum also married Karen Marie Eskildsen, Nov 13, 1871. After his marriage to the Eskildsen sisters, Hanna filed for divorce; however, it is unclear if she won.3

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