Calvin Albertus Bowlby, Teacher and Merchant
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This is an undated and somewhat enigmatic cover to Calvin Albertus Bowlby from an unknown sender in British Guyana. C. A. Bowlby was in his mid-twenties and a schoolteacher in Lower Ohio, Yarmouth County when he received this letter.
He was the only son of Thomas and Mary Bowlby and was born at Tremont, Kings County, N.S on March 20, 1848. His mother died when he was 7-years old and he was cared for by his grandparents Calvin and Charlotte Tupper Baker. At the age of 18, he was baptized in the Baptist Church by his great uncle the Rev. Charles Tupper, D.D. After his education, possibly at Horton Academy, he taught school for a while in Kings County. Then, in 1869, he moved to Port Medway with his uncle N.T. Baker, where he taught elementary school students while Mr. Baker taught the older pupils. He also taught in Petite Riviere.
In Port Medway, or possibly at Horton Academy, he met Lysander B. Cohoon. The two men travelled together in the United States. It's possible the letter is from Cohoon who travelled widely.
Bowlby returned to Nova Scotia and taught school in South Ohio for several years. On July 21, 1875, in Liverpool, Nova Scotia he married Bertha Christiana Meniac, the second daughter of Capt. and Mrs. John Meniac of Port Medway. Their first child, Maxwell Albertus Bowlby was born on April 14, 1876 in South Ohio, NS, but they had returned to Port Medway later that year.
Liverpool Advance - Wednesday, 31 May 1933 - Page 4 -
C.A. Bowlby
Calvin Albertus Bowlby died at his home in Port Medway on May 26th after an illness of eight months. He was the only son of Thomas and Mary Bowlby and was born at Tremont, N.S on March 20, 1848. His mother died when he was very young and he was taken to the home and tenderly cared for by his grandparents Calvin and Charlotte Tupper Baker. After his education he taught school in Kings County and went to Port Medway in 1869 with his uncle N.T. Baker, taking charge of the primary room with Mr. Baker in the advanced department. He next taught in Petite Riviere. In company of Lysander B. Cohoon he went to the U.S.A. for a time. He returned to Nova Scotia and taught in South Ohio for several years. On July 21, 1875, he married Bertha second daughter of Capt. and Mrs. John Meniac. He has made his home in Port Medway for over fifty years, conducting a general store business for most of the time until his retirement ten years ago. Mr. Bowlby always took an active interest in the religious, social and civil life of the community. He stood for the right and lived for the highest and best. Many have been the tributes given him by his former pupils. His home had ever a welcome and his life was a benediction to his family and friends. In politics he was a Conservative, was councillor, also warden for the County, He was a gifted speaker and had the ability to speak at ease on his chosen subject, He entered the Masonic order on St. John's Day at Middleton in 1869. He was a Baptist in religion and was baptized by his great uncle the Rev. Charles Tupper, D.D. at the age of 18. Ever since his life has been one of service as Sabbath School teacher, deacon and church clerk as health permitted. He was benevolent and sympathetic and his kindly ways will never be forgotten. His was indeed a worthy life. In 1925 Mr. and Mrs. Bowlby celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and it was a glad day when friends gathered with so many affectionate greetings. Besides his wife who was for years his faithful nurse, Mr. Bowlby is survived by his son Max A, and a daughter Bertie, Mrs. R.P. Schurman, who were at home for some time. A little son Lee was drowned at the age of eight years which was ever the parents' great sorrow. A half sister Mrs. Florence Whitman resides in Washington, D.C. Services were held at the home on Saturday morning conducted by the pastor The Rev. F.B. Seelye. Interment was at Tremont in the afternoon when words of comfort and consolation were spoken by the Rev. Dr. Sidey. In the quiet cemetery near the old church he loved, he rests, but beautiful is the memory of his favorite hymn sung at the grave.
"Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But, O, the joy when I shall wake,
Within the palace of the King."
Golden Wedding
Mr. and Mrs. C. A. BOWLBY, of Port Medway, celebrated their fifty years of married life on Tuesday, July 21st. They were married at Port Medway, July 21st, 1875, in the Free Baptist Church, the officiating clergy being Rev. T. F. Smith, assisted by Rev. Mr. Tuttle. The anniversary was held at their home; among those present were Mrs. U. F. Acker, (sister of the bride) who was bridesmaid at the wedding fifty years ago, as was also Mrs. Pricilla Blandford, of Bridgewater who played the wedding march on that occasion. There were also present their two children, Mr. M. A. Bowlby, of Boston and Mrs. R. P. Schurman, of Edmonton.
The bride looked charming in a mauve tinted brocaded satin which enhanced her stately bearing and the beauty of her snowy hair. She carried a bouquet of white carnations and wore the satin slippers in which she was married.
The groom looked happy and smiling in the suit worn at his wedding fifty long years ago.
There were many golden testimonials from friends far and near and letters of congratulations from those who could not be present.
At the evening reception there were upwards of fifty guests recorded in a book of remembrance.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowlby have always resided in Port Medway and have always taken an active interest in the civic, social and religious life in the community.
Mr. Bowlby has always taken an active part in municipal and potical affairs since coming to the country. For a number of years he represented his district in the Municipal Council, serving as Councillor and Warden. I 1890, with the late L. S. Ford, he was nominated and unsuccessfully contested the county as a Conservative candidate. For some thirty years he was the leading merchant in Port Medway, during which he conducted an extensive and successful business, retiring some two years ago.
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