1870 U.S. Federal Census (image 2, sheet 2) Hancock County, Tennessee, District 4, War Gap P.O. age born occupation Jason Bowen 35 VA farmer Ruth Ann 39 NC keeping house Enoch 14 TN work on farm Phoebe 12 TN at home William 10 VA at home Sarah 7 TN Alfred 5 TN
1880 U.S. Federal Census (image 27, page 2)
Hancock County, Tennessee, District 12
age born parents occupation
E.D. Bowen 24 TN VA/NC farmer
Mary E. wife 23 TN TN/VA keeping house
George H. son 3 TN TN
Ollie J. dau 1 TN TN
1900 U.S. Federal Census (image 3, sheet 2) Hancock County, Tennessee, District 12 age born parents occupation birthdate married Enoch Bowen 44 TN VA/NC farmer Jan 1856 24 years Mary E. wife 43 TN TN/VA Oct 1856 24 years George H. son 23 TN TN farm labor Sep 1876 Joseph H.M. son 19 TN TN farm labor Nov 1880 William T. son 17 TN TN farm labor Jan 1883 Addie M. dau 15 TN TN Mar 1885 Alonzo J. son 13 TN TN farm labor Feb 1887 Isaac G. son 7 TN TN May 1893 (owns farm, Mary = 8 children born, 7 still alive)
1910 U.S. Federal Census (image 8, sheet 4) Hancock County, Tennessee, Civil District 4 Rogersville and Jonesville Pike Road age born parents occupation married Enoch D. Bowen 54 TN VA preaching 34 years Mary E. wife 53 TN TN none 34 years Alonzo J. son 23 TN TN farmer single Grady son 16 TN TN farm laborer Ethel gdau 7 TN TN Stella Johnson serv 16 TN TN servant
Enoch Daniel Bowen was pastor of a number of Churches in Virginia and Tennessee. He served as pastor of the Thompson Settlement Church in Lee County, Virginia for a number of years.
Tennessee's Pioneer Baptist Preachers by J.J. Burnett
E. D. Bowen was born in Scott County, Virginia, January 30, 1856. He was the son of Jason and a grandson of Jesse Bowen, who was of German descent. The family moved to Tennessee when E. D. was a small boy. His mother's maiden name was Ruth Lee, a daughter of Arch Lee, who was a near relative of the famous "Light Horse Harry" and Robert E. Lee, of Virginia. He was converted at the age of 17, and became a preacher of the Primitive or Old-school Baptist faith. He married Miss Mary E. Baker, a daughter of Joseph Baker of Hancock County, Tennessee, and to this union were born eight children, six sons and two daughters. One of his sons, I.G. Bowen, is a ministerial student in Carson and Newman College.
Becoming dissatisfied with the non-progressiveness of his brethren of the Primitive order, E. D. Bowen renounced his allegiance to the church of his first love, becoming a "missionary" Baptist, but still holding the strong Calvinistic doctrines of the Old-school Baptists. Brother Bowen was a strong man intellectually, and a very fine preacher. He was moderator of the Mulberry Gap Association, and was one of the ablest preachers belonging to that body. One of the most delightful sermons the writer ever heard at an association was delivered by E. D. Bowen at the Mulberry Gap Association, some years ago. It was strongly, but not unduly Calvinistic, emphasizing the doctrines of grace and good-naturedly touching up the theology of some of his "softer" brethren in the ministry. He was a master of his subject, and a charming speaker; the discourse left a good taste in the writer's mouth.
Elder Bowen was pastor of a number of churches, tilled the soil to supplement his salary, and was called upon to fill "offices of public trust in his county." He died February 16, 1915, and was buried in the Testerman graveyard, near Blackwater Church - a church of which he had been pastor for "nearly twenty years." By "resolutions," this church memorialized him as a "brother beloved," a "noble Christian," a "faithful pastor and bold soldier of the cross," a great "power in the church," taking "great delight always in cheering, uplifting and helping" his fellowmen - his life being and "example" for the church and community to follow. Signed by the committee.