Lewis Bowen
The visitation of Death casts its
shadow over all of us, even while its dread presence hovers o’er the soul it
claims, just as it does while bearing off to higher spheres the spirit of the
dead. When the icy hand of
the Reaper diffuses its chill around an infant couch we watch with sadness the
coming touch that shall still forever the throbbing heart. And yet, we take consolation in the
thought that it is better so, that the short probation here was such as most of
us would have better had, for the trials and tribulations through which we have
had to, and still must, pass would have been foregone, because unnecessary from
conditions shaping our ends in pre-existent lives. But when the taps are sounded at the
going down of the earth-run sun, and the shadows blend in the golden glow of a
glorious setting the end seems fitting as all things go in life’s eternal
round. With the declining
rays that vanish in the shadows of night in the dark Valley
of Death, there bursts upon the other shore,
over the silvery tops of the Delectable
Mountains, a morn of
immortality, beautified the more because of the blackness of the night. And so it is with our departed
brother, Lewis Bowen. Revered
by and cherished in the love of his fellow-men, and ripe with the golden fruit
of years well spent, he descended the pleasant slopes with peaceful, happy
tread, while watchful angels reached down their arms from the vapory clouds,
beckoning him on to eternal joys. And unregretfully he went, his arms uplifted and soul communing
with the spirit guides. So,
when the final summons came, he opened his eyes a moment, glanced a last farewell and closed them on
earthly scenes forever. Instead
of bitter grief and lamentation there was a spirit of quietude and hope around
his bed, a peace that comes with knowledge of suffering past and hope that in
the bright beyond all would meet again.
He has gone to his reward, and among
the spirits of the just he will walk with God. May his tomb be glorified with loving
memories, as his soul must be in the light of a life well spent. Farewell!
Biographical
Lewis Bowen was born at Blaenavon,
Monmouthshire, Wales, May 24, 1815. His parents’ names were David Bowen
and Margaret Richards. He
joined the Church of Latter-day Saints at Abersychan,
Wales
on September 18, 1852, this being in the Herefordshire Conference.
He was a prominent man in the land of
his nativity and was president of four branches of the church there. His home was always open for the
elders, many of whom, throughout the Territory, even now, can testify to the
warm hospitality dispensed by him. In
this, as in everything else, he labored faithfully for the up-building of the
Latter-day work in that country.
In October 1863, he immigrated with his family to Zion and located in the First Ward, Salt
Lake City. In
January 1866, he came to Tooele, and immediately became actively identified
with the interests of the community. He
took charge of the choir and was its leader for eighteen years. He also
taught school here for several years, and in every position he held he labored
faithfully to serve the people. For
some time he was the leader of the brass band and a member of the first band
organized here.
His last sickness began on May 11,
1894 and he lingered until July 20 – just ten weeks – when he died. The principal cause of his demise was Bright’s disease and general debility. When taken sick he fell into a stupor,
and was semi-unconscious most of the time. He could occasionally recognize some
of his family, but had difficulty in conversing coherently.
All through his sickness he was
perfectly helpless, and had to be handled like a child. He suffered little pain until just
about two days before his death, when he seemed to be in agony. At 6 o’clock in the morning of the 30th he opened his eyes, seemed to
recognize one of his sons, and then his spirit took its flight.
The funeral services were held on
Sunday at the Meeting House. The
remains were carried from the residence and the pall bearers were Moroni England, W. H. Cassity,
J. K. Orem, Thomas Martin, Frank Hanson, and Arthur Bryan, they being under the
direction of H. B. Haynes and Henry Dahling. A procession was formed, which was
headed by the brass band, and following were the relatives, the high priests
quorum, of which deceased was an honored member, and other friends and the
march was begun to the Meeting
House the _____ and occasion being duly oppressive with the ______ and _______
music played.
