Isarel Bowersock
Born: June 9th, 1819
Died: March 4th, 1906
Obituary
Isarel Bowersock, the veteran auctioneer, who lived in this community for half a century, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. WB McChesney, No. 811 Garden Street at 3:00 yesterday morning. Mr. Bowersock was born June 9, 1819, in Adams County, Pa. He came to Burlington, October 7, 1851, and has made this town his home almost continuously ever since.
He was actively identified with the history of the city and until fifteen when he was compelled by ill health to retire from active work, was one of the best-known auctioneers in this part of the country. In partnership with Steve Gillette, Mr. Bowersock kept several auction rooms in this city.
Auction rooms are a thing of the past now but in the “palmy” days of the town they were regarded as indispensable institutions. Mr. Bowersock’s abilities as a crier of sales was recognized far and near. He was especially adept at farm sales and has officiated at hundreds of auctions in the rural districts. As far as that was concerned he was equally at home auctioning any kind of merchandise.
He was a man of kindly and jovial disposition and, although he had more than his share of hard lunch, he always had a pleasant smile and a cheerful word for everybody. His places of business were burned on three different occasions, and one time when he was proprietor of a livery stable located on the banks of the Hawkeye Creek a freshet came, undermined the stable, and drowned eight horses.
Mr. Bowersock is survived by two sons and three daughters. They are Hon. JD Bowersock of Lawrence, Kan., representative in Congress from the Third congressional district; Wilbur of this city, and Mrs. WB McChesney of this city, Mrs. HW Snyder of Rankin, Pa., and Jessie Bowersock.
The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 from the McChesney home. There will be services at the house, to which friends are invited. Interment will be in Aspen Grove and will be private.
A telegram was received today from Lawrence, Kan., stating that Mr. JD Bowersock would be unable to attend his father’s funeral owing to a fall he experienced Saturday. The injury is not serious but prevents him from traveling.