Bowlin, James B.

Born: 1804-01-16 Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Died: 1874-07-19 Saint Louis, Missouri

Bowlin received a classical education and moved to Lewisburg, Virginia in 1825. He studied law, earned admittance to the bar in 1826, and started a practice in Greenbrier County, Virginia. Bowlin moved to Saint Louis, Missouri in 1833 and continued the practice of law, and also established the Farmers and Mechanics' Advocate. He earned appointment as chief clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives in 1836. Bowlin won election to the State House of Representatives, serving from 1836-37, when he was appointed district attorney of Saint Louis. He won election in 1839 as judge of the criminal court, a position he held until 1842. In 1843, Bowlin won election, as a Democrat, to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving until 1851. In 1854, he was appointment by President Franklin Pierce as minister resident to New Granada, serving until 1857. In 1858, Bowlin was appointed by President James Buchanan as commissioner to Paraguay, serving until 1859, when he returned to Saint Louis and resumed practicing law.

Biographical Directory of the American Congress 1774-1996 (Alexandria, VA: CQ Staff Directories, 1997), 692; Gravestone, Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis, MO.