Francis Bowsher

Francis Jacob Bowsher, farmer and cattleman, was born September 28th, 1935. The only child of Francis Marion and Oleda Congrove Bowsher, he grew up in Adelphi and attended the Adelphi School where he was sometimes called upon to fire the furnace or run errands for Miss Mary Cryder to retrieve books or papers she had forgotten to bring to school that day. As the Adelphi School began to consolidate, he completed his senior year at Laurelville High School and graduated in 1953. He began farming and raising cattle while in high school and worked part time in Schooley’s Grocery. After graduation he was a member of the Adelphi Volunteer Fire Department and the Air National Guard. He was called to active Air Force duty and served in France during the Berlin Crisis. In 1967, he married Suzanne D. Karshner of Hallsville and they had one daughter, Dixie Francis. A cattleman all his life, he was a life member of the American Angus Association and maintained a herd of Angus and crossbred cows along with running a beef feedlot, selling quality cattle that could top local markets. In addition, he crop farmed on the original Bowsher homestead, located west of Adelphi since 1807. Although two of his first tractors had green paint, purchased from the Lesher and Son John Deere dealership in Adelphi, he was an avid fan and restorer of Farmall and International tractors and enjoyed attending IH Red Power RoundUp events and farm equipment shows and festivals. He lived his life just as he wanted and passed away November 9, 2025 at the age of 90 years and 43 days. He will be missed. Cremation has been observed.

Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.