Hon. Thomas BOWMAN, Congressman-elect from the Ninth Congressional District of Iowa, was born in Wiscasset, in the State of Maine, May 25, 1848, and derives his descent from Nathaniel BOWMAN, who came from England in 1630 in the fleet with WINTHROP. During his boy-hood he made his home at that place, and was educated at Oak Grove Seminary at Vassalboro, Maine. In 1868 he decided to follow the course of empire, and he bid adieu to home and friends in the old Pine Tree State and started for the West. That same year he landed in Council Bluffs, and being impressed with its surroundings, though at that time much in the crude, he decided to cast his lot there. He has been a continued resident in Council Bluffs ever since. During the intervening period, from 1868 to the present time, he has held several important offices of trust, among them being Treasurer of Pottawattamie County, Mayor of the city of Council Bluffs, and Postmaster of Council Bluffs under President CLEVELAND's administration. He was one of the organizers of the volunteer fire department in 1868, and was an active member of the department until 1883, when the paid system was inaugurated. He has been connected with the Council Bluffs Globe for twelve years, and for the past seven years he has been general manager for The Globe Publishing Company. Mr. BOWMAN is a man who will make friends wherever he goes. He is a man of sterling qualities, and his loyalty to friends and principle has been a potent factor in his advancement in life.

Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight