BIOGRAPHY

Bowman was born in Preston, Ontario, Canada, on 31 March 1875, to parents William Roesgen (1824–1888) and Annie Hess (1833–1919). She had at least at least 12 or 13 siblings. Both of her parents were born in Germany. She was forced to leave school to help her mother following the death of her father.

On 26 December 1907, she married Edwin Bowman (1882–1944). The couple had one daughter, Helen (married Stevens; 1917–2015).

On her 100th birthday, she had one living brother, Edgar, who was 98 at the time (he passed away a few months later). At the time, her eyesight was failing, but she was in good health. Until a few months prior, she was still able to knit bandages that were sent to leprosy missions. At the age of 101, she broke her hip. She was a member of St. Paul’s United Church. When asked about the secret of her longevity on her 104th birthday, she responded that she always worked hard and never allowed worries to burden her.

Bowman passed away at Cambridge Country Manor in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, on 6 May 1985. She was survived by her daughter, one grandson, and two great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

At the time of death, she was the second-oldest (known) living person in Canada, behind Emma Bingham.

ATTRIBUTION

* Ida Jane Roesgen Bowman – Find A Grave

* “Ida Jane Roesgen” – Waterloo Region Generations

* “Cambridge woman is 100 years old” – Waterloo Region Record, 31 March 1975

* “Hard work’s the secret of 104-year-old” – Waterloo Region Record, 30 March 1979

* “Bowman, Ida Jane” – Waterloo Region Record, 7 May 1985

GALLERY