Nevada Genealogy Trails Mineral County P. M. Bowler Biography

HON. P. M. BOWLER, or "Palsy." as he is familiarly known, who has attained distinction as one of the ablest members of the Nevada bar is now living in Hawthorne, though he has offices at Tonopah, and his practice extends throughout this state and California. In his profession probably more than any other success depends upon individual merit, upon a thorough understanding of the principles of jurisprudence, a power of keen analysis and the ability to present clearly, concisely and forcibly the strong points in a cause. Possessing these necessary qualifications, Mr. Bowler is accorded a foremost place in the ranks of the profession in Nevada.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Bellefontaine. Logan county, on the 8th of January. 1855, and is of Irish descent, his father, Patrick Michael Bowler, having been born in county Kerry, Ireland. In 1840 he came to the United States and settled in Ohio, where he married Miss Ellen Shine. For several years he engaged in farming in that state, but is now living on Reese river in Nye county, Nevada, where he owns a nice ranch. In his family were ten children, of whom three daughters and two sons are now living, namely: J. F., who is conducting a stock ranch on Reese river; Mrs. Kate Philips, a resident of Ione, Nye county; Mrs. E. E. Saylor, of Tonopah, Nye county; Mrs. George Keough, residing on Reese river;"and P. M. Bowler. The family are all active members of the Roman Catholic church and are people of the highest respectability.

Patrick Michael Bowler, Jr., was educated in the public and Catholic schools of New Orleans. He took up the study of law in the office of Judgt Benjamin Curler, whose son, B. F. Curler, afterward studied under the direction of Mr. Bowler and is now serving as district judge. Mr. Bowler was admitted to the bar in April, 1880, and began the practice of his chosen profession at Belmont, Nye county, Nevada, rapidly gaining a large and remunerative patronage, which extends all over this state and into California. He does a general law practice, but makes mines, mining laws and water rights his specialty, and has gained a very enviable reputation as a thoroughly informed and able attorney in that branch of the profession.

On the 14th of August, 1881, Mr. Bowler was united in marriage to Miss Inez Adelaide Curler, a native of Nevada and a daughter of Judge Benjamin Curler. They had a daughter, Emma Inez, who is now a student in the Nevada State University. The wife and mother departed this life September 26, 1887. and in October, 1889. Mr. Bowler was again married, his second union being with Miss Louella Titus, who was born in Cloverdale, California, and is a daughter of T. J. Titus of that state. This union has been blessed with six children, all born in Hawthorne, namely: Elsie Ellen, Walter Herbert, Harold Maurice, Vera Titus, Alice Hanorah and Catherine Laura. They are rearing their children in the Catholic faith, the parents being members of that church.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Bowler has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party and its principles, taking an active part in its conventions and aiding in its success by his voice and counsel. For two terms he acceptably filled the office of district attorney of Esmeralda county, and in 1902 was the candidate of his party for supreme judge, running against Judge Talbot. He made a very able and creditable campaign, canvassing a number of counties, but that year the Republican ticket was defeated in this state and Judge Talbot, who is a very popular man, was elected by a small majority.

Mr. Bowler has various mining interests of value, and has met with success in his business ventures as well as in his law practice. Holding marked precedence among the members of the bar in Nevada and retaining a clientele of so representative a character as to alone stand in evidence of his professional ability and personal popularity, Mr. Bowler must assuredly be accorded a prominent place in this volume, whose province is the portrayal of the lives of the leading men of the state.

Source:
A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People
By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company
Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904