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BOWES, JOHN, OBITUARY, 1894

OTTAWA FREE PRESS, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10 1894 5:00 PM DEATH OF MR. JOHN BOWES A Resident of Ottawa for 25 years to the Grave

Through the death of Mr. John Bowes on Saturday, Ottawa loses one of its oldest and most respected citizens. The deceased was a native of Ireland, been born in the county Kilkenny seventy-four years ago. At a very  age he came to Canada and settled in Kingston city. Thence he removed to Ottawa where he has resided for more than thirty-five years. Being an excellent draughtsman, he adopted the architect's profession, and was called upon many times, to superintend the building of many of Canada's public institutions. Amongst others that might be mentioned are the Parliament Library, St. Mary's Cathedral (sic) and the Custom house at Kingston. In addition, he had charge of the construction of one of the first Methodist churches in Montreal. By his first wife, who was a Miss Delaney, of Kingston, he has several children living, amongst them being Mrs. O'Gara, wife of our esteemed Police Magistrate, Denis and Patrick, who are residents of Chicago, Alex, a dentist of Chatham, and Edward, who is engaged in the medical profession in the Western States.

As an evidence of the great architectural skill of the deceased, it may be mentioned that when plans for the parliamentary library arrived in Ottawa it was found that they were unworkable and impossible of construction. After the government had failed to obtain any assistance from numbers of architects, Mr. Bowes was the only man who could point out the way to erect the buildings. He was the watchdog of the government in the erection of the parliament buildings and fought the contractors throughout constantly preventing much that would have been a loss to the country. One of his prized documents was a certificate of is excellent work in these matters. The late Hon. C.F. Fraser greatly desired him to accept a similar position under the Ontario legislature, but he remained true to his position under Sir John Macdonald.

THE FUNERAL Took place this morning from his late residence, 235 Wilbrod Street, to St. Joseph's church. A grand child, Rev. Father John O'Gara, sang High mass, assisted by brothers Charlebois and Henault as deacon and subdeacon. The absolute was pronounced by Father Constantineau. The pallbearers were Messrs. P. Harty, Horsey; Grist, J Brophy, J.J. McGee, of Ottawa and James Devlin, of Kingston. Among the prominent citizens present were Hon. R.W. Scott, Martin O'Gara, H. Robillard, M.P., P. Baskerville, ex-M.P.P., Wm. Kehoe, Martin Battle, J.L. Dowlin and Geo Stockand. Mr. Bowes had a brother in the Northwest, a member of the Oblate order. He also is an excellent architect, and has been often called upon to prepare plans for some of the most beautiful churches in that far-off country.

The funeral was in charge of Messrs. Brady and Harris. A handsome cross adorned the casket, being the gift of Mrs. Bowes, while the family of Magistrate O'Gara contributed a wreath. A daughter of Mrs. Dr. O'Rourke, from Detroit, was among the mourners.