1145 Leslie 

920 Mill 

Chester Clyde Bowen was born on 17 Mar 1883 in Marion County, Oregon to Owen Bowen, a native of Ireland, and Martha Ellen “Nellie” Crooks Bowen, the daughter of John T. Crooks, a significant figure in Oregon’s early history. Chester grew up in Salem with his siblings, Charles and Lillian, where he began working as a day laborer at the age of 17 to support his family. 

In 1909, Chester was employed as a common laborer for the Oregon Nursery Company while living with his family near the mill stream along Ferry St. By 1910, he started work as a dyer at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill and resided at 823 S. 12th St. By 1913, he moved to 1145 Leslie St. with his mother and sister.  

By 1917, Chester lived at 920 Mill St. with his sister Lillian, who was reportedly unable to work due to health issues. That same year, at age 35, he enlisted in the Oregon Militia, serving in Company F for two years but was never called to federal service. Following their father Owen’s death in 1917, Chester’s mother relocated to Portland to live with his brother Charles.   

Chester continued working at TKWM until he contracted influenza during the worldwide epidemic. He passed away on 27 Jan 1919, in Salem and was buried at the Salem Pioneer Cemetery. Chester Bowen never married.  

Chester Bowen. Age 12. Born in Oregon, Height: 4’5”. Weight: 109 lbs. Light complexion. Student. Household members: Owen Bowen, age 48, born in Ireland, RR worker, Protestant, voter; Nellie Bowen, age 43, born in Oregon, housekeeper; Charles Bowen, age 18, born in Oregon; Lillian Bowen, age 14, born in Oregon; Chester Bowen, age 12, born in Oregon, student.   

1900  Chester C. Bowen. Age: 17. Birth: Mar 1883 in Oregon. Single son of HOH. Residence: Ward 4, Salem, Marion, Oregon. Father born in Ireland. Mother born in Oregon. Occupation: Day Laborer. 4 months not employed. Household members: Owen Bowen, age 52, HOH, railroad section foreman; Ellen C. Bowen, age 48, wife; Chas. E. Bowen, age 23, son, stenographer; Lillian E. Bowen, age 19, daughter; Chester C. Bowen, age 17, son.   

1910  Chester C. Bowan [sic] Age: 27. Birth: 1883 in Oregon. Single son of HOH. Residence: Ward 4, Salem, Marion, Oregon. Father born in Ireland. Mother born in Oregon. Occupation: Dyer, Woolen Mill. Household members: Owen Bowan, age 65, HOH, railroad gate tender; Ellen Bowan, age 58, wife; Charles E. Bowan, age 33, son, sash, and door factory; Lillian E. Bowan, age 28, daughter; Chester C. Bowan, age 27, son; Vera H. Bowan, age 23, daughter-in-law.  

1911  Chester C Bowen, dyer, TKWM bds 823 S 12th 

1913  Chester C Bowen, dyer, TKWM bds 1145 Leslie 

1915  Chester C Bowen, dyer, TKWM rms 920 Mill 

1917  Chester C Bowen, dyer, TKWM rms 920 Mill 

Oregon Statesman 5 Oct 1915 p. 5 – Suit heard in circuit court in an action by Lebold and Co. against Mrs. M. C. Bowen and Lillian E. Bowen to collect $133.60 alleged due for groceries and meat.  Both sides represented by lawyers.  Verdict for the amount asked against Lillian E. Bowen.    

Oregon Statesman 23 Jan 1919 p. 3 – Chester Bowen obit. Died on 22 Jan 1919 at his mother’s home. Survivors; mother Mrs. Owen Bowen, and sister Lillian. Remains at Rigdon’s undertaking parlors.  

-Owen Bowen. B 30 Dec 1847 in Ireland. Married 13 Oct 1875 in Linn Co, Oregon.  D 17 Dec 1917 in Marion Co, OR.   

-Martha Ellen Crooks.  B 20 Oct 1851 in Oregon.  Married 13 Oct 1875 in Linn Co, OR. D 17 Jan 1932 in Portland, OR. Father John Turley Crooks. Mother Demercy Everman. 

-Charles Elmer Bowen.  B 14 Aug 1876 in Marion Co, OR. D 17 May 1940 in Scappoose, OR. 

-Chester Clyde Bowen.  B 17 Mar 1883 in Marion Co, OR.  D 27 Jan 1919 in Salem, OR.   

-Lillian E Bowen.  B 1882 in Oregon.  D 2 May 1950 in Multnomah Co, OR.    

1919 Oregon Death Certificate. Chester C Bowen 35 single. b 17 Mar 1883 in Marion County, OR. d 22 Jan 1919 of influenza. Res 920 Mill St, Salem, OR. Employer TKWM, dyer. Father Owen Bowen b in Ireland. Mother Millie Brooks b in Albany, OR. Informant Lillian Bowen of 920 Mill St.   

Oregon State Military Records. Chester C Bowen. Military age 35. Textile worker. B 19 Mar 1883 in Marion County, OR.  Enlistment date 25 Jul 1918 for the period of two years unless otherwise discharged.  Company F, Oregon Militia. Mother N C Bowen.