Born near Dayton, Ohio, on the 31st day of January, 1832. His youth was divided between attending school and assisting in the management of the farm. He followed farming until twenty-two years of age and then emigrated to Iowa and stopped for a short time at Oskaloosa, and thence to Pella. After working for a short time at the carpenter trade he entered the mercantile business. For some time he was a member of the leading firm of Munting & Bowen, also of Bowen & Aikens, and for several years conducted a store under the name of Banner G. Bowen. He was elected to represent his district in the state legislature in 1868, and was a diligent and faithful representative. He was a member of the Baptist Church and one of its most active workers and a liberal contributor. The older citizens of Pella remember him as a worthy and public-spirited citizen who enjoyed the full confidence of the community. He married Miss Alice J. Lindsey in 1857. She was born in Pennsylvania.