History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, ed. by William Henry Perrin, O. L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882. p. 807. [Bourbon County] [Ruddel's Mills Precinct] GEORGE W. BOWEN, farmer and distiller, P. O. Shawhan; was born Oct. 18, 1828, near Ruddel's Mills, Bourbon County; he is the son of Benjamin and Mary (Current) Bowen, both natives of Bourbon County; two sons and three daughters were born to them, of whom George W. was the oldest son. He received a fair education at the district schools near Ruddel's Mills, and remained with his father until he had grown to man's estate. From 1852 to 1856 he was engaged in the mercantile business in Ruddel's Mills and then fitted up and run the old Spear's Cotton and Woolen Factory as a flouring mill, which he run about one year, and then converted the same into a distillery, and has since been operating it successfully. He entered the Confederate Army in 1862, and was First Lieutenant of Company C., of H. Smith's Regiment, and Buford's Brigade. On the Ohio raid in July 1863, he was taken prisoner; he was first taken to Johnson Island, where he was held about four weeks, and then sent to Allegheny City, Pa., and there placed with 115 others in the State Penitentiary, remaining in confinement about eight months; orders were then received for all officers ranking from lieutenant and higher to be removed to Camp Chase, Ohio; there he was also confined for eight months, and was then released through the influence of friends. Mr. Bowen now has 670 acres of fine land, well improved, and for the past five years he has devoted much time and study to the breeding of thoroughbred horses, of which he now owns about eighty head. Notable among sales made by him, may be mentioned: Runymede, two years old, bred upon his farm, and sold in 1881 for $10,000; Wallestein, sold for $9,000; Quito and Elias Lawrence, the two for $5,000. Mr. Bowen now has on hand ten or twelve fine two-year olds, and thirty-seven brood mares. His progress and judgment in breeding have brought him rapidly to the front in this industry. About 1875 he engaged in the hardware trade in Paris, Ky., under the firm name of Ford & Bowen. In addition to the above, Mr. Bowen owns one-twentieth of a tract of 500,000 acres of mountain land, rich in timber, coal and iron ore. In the legitimate acquirement of the property mentioned, Mr. Bowen has been entirely dependent upon his own resources; his career only shows that can be attained by well directed diligence, good judgment and economy. His beautiful residence, a view of which appears in this history, was designed by himself, and built according to his plans. He was married March 23, 1852, near his home, to Miss Lucy J. Wyatt, a native of the same place, and born Feb. 19, 1832, her parents being Fleming R. and Martha (Rogers) Wyatt. They have one son and three daughters living: Warren W. and Callie, now wife of Alexander Keller; G. Ida, now wife of Dr. Arthur Keller, and Miss Belle M. Their eldest son, John T. was killed by the cars in 1880. Bowen Current Wyatt Rogers Keller = OH http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/bourbon/bowen.gw.txt