From the May 30, 1918 California Democrat:
Earl Bowlin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bowlin of Centertown has a position at the J. B. Garnett and Son Furnishing and Undertaking establishment. Mr. Bowlin and wife moved into the Dave Reidy property near the Fair Grounds.
Part of Capital News article reprinted in the April 3, 1919 Moniteau County Herald:
BAILEY LANSDOWN WILL RETIRE FROM ACTIVE BUSINESS
The Lansdown Mercantile Company is one of the largest concerns in Cole County outside of Jefferson City. For the past several years this company has been composed of C. A. Hedges of Kansas City and Jack Bowlin and B. W. Landsdown of Centertown. . . The furniture, undertaking, carpets, rugs, etc., have been sold to Mr. Bowlin who will continue in business at Centertown. . .
From the Russellville Leader and reprinted in the June 26, 1919 California Democrat:
Furniture Store Opened
Jack Bowlin, one of Centertown’s enterprising business men, has received a part of his big line of furniture and undertaking goods and the Jack Bowlin Furniture and Undertaking Company was formally opened for business this week. His announcement will be found elsewhere in this paper.
Mr. Bowlin is one of the best known business men throughout that section and his many friends bespeak success for him in his new establishment.
From the January 5, 1922 California Democrat:
Remodeling Store Room
The three story building west of the courthouse, belonging to Mrs. Lizzie Swillum and the Wieneke building just south of it are being remodelled this week for the new furniture store, The Bowlin-Morrow Furniture and Undertaking Co. who are going to open up about the 10th of this month, having purchased the remains of the Edw. C. Nischwitz stock and will also move the Bowlin stock here from Centertown. Earl Bowlin and Virgil Morrow, who will have active charge of the business will need no introduction to the Moniteau County public both of them having been with J. B. Garnett and Son for some time past and both of them splendid fellows. That they will make a success of their new venture is conceded by all.
From the January 19, 1922 Moniteau County Herald:
Will Move From Centertown
Jack Bowlin who is one of the partners of the new Bowlin-Morrow Furniture Company will move his family from Centertown shortly, and become a resident and give his attention to the big business firm will have. Jack is at home in Calfiornia as he lived here and in the county until he went to Centertown about ten years ago. The large part of the furniture has been moved from Centertown but the undertaking business will be left there in charge of a competent man. The new firm have things arranged and have a good supply of furniture on hand but will increase the stock as the season advances.
From the August 10, 1922 California Democrat:
Bought Buick Sedan
Jack Bowlin of the Bowlin and Morrow Furniture and Undertaking Co. traded his Buick roadster for a seven passenger Buick Sedan for use in their funeral business.
Part of article from the October 5, 1922 California Democrat:
PROPERTY CHANGES HANDS IN BUSINESS SECTION
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Bowlin-Morrow Purchases Barnhill Building. to Build on North For Furniture Store
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Several big real estate deals occurred during the past week involving quite a bit of moving and changing of locations among the business men in the north part of the city.
Jack Bowlin purchased the Barnhill building, now occupied by the Tieman Jewelry store for $5000.00. The building was owned by Mrs. F. B. Owens of Oklahoma City. Mr. Bowlin states that he will use the building he purchased for an undertaking room and will use the basement for a morgue. Messrs. Bowlin and Morrow will erect a new brick building 50 by 100 feet on the lot immediately north for their large furniture stock. The work on the new building will begin as soon as possible and they will move their furniture and undertaking establishment from the Swillum building to their new location, which will give them sufficient room for both departments.
Besides the present building which is 80 by 105 with basement under entire building there is a lot west 105 feet square, which in time they may build a residence. Bowlin and Morrow have been in business here since the first of the year having bought the business from E. C. Nischwitz. They have had a large volume of business during the past nine months and thier purchasing the building new show that they have confidence in the future for their success in business.
From the December 14, 1922 California Democrat:
New Funeral Home Opened
Jack Bowlin and son Earl Bowlin have this week completed the furnishing of their new Funeral Home on High and Madison streets. Messrs. Bowlin recently purchased the Barnhill building and have rearranged and decorated the interior. The waiting room is comfortably fitted with homelike fixtures and makes a neat and attractive room. the show room is finished in mahogany and a nice display room is accessible. In the basement they have their store room and morgue with one of the latest improved tables.
The elder member of the firm has been in the undertaking business for the past 19 years at Centertown which place is still run in connection with their business in this city. Earl Bowlin has been in the same business in this city for the past five years and is a licensed embalmer. He worked at St. Louis and Jefferson City prior to coming to this city. Earl and wife will move into the rooms on the second floor just as soon as Mr. and Mrs. Buschman return and find a place.
From the September 17, 1926 Cole County Weekly Rustler:
Mrs. Dollie Walser has purchased an interest in the Bowlin Undertaking Establishment and will be connected with that firm in the future.
From the September 15, 1927 California Democrat:
Mrs. Dollie Walser of Olean came Saturday to visit her daughter, Mrs. Ned Cole, and attend the Concord Baptist association. She is in charge of an undertaking establishment that the Bowlin-Walser company has at Olean.
From the May 5, 1927 Moniteau County Herald:
Has new Combination Ambulance
Bowlin & Walser received a new combination hearse and Ambulance with the Sedan body the first of the week. It is the Kenny make and a very attractive car costing $3,100.
From the November 17, 1927 California Democrat:
Bowlin-Walser Business sold
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Bunceton Man Becomes Proprietor of Undertaking Establishment Here At California
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J. W. Wilson, mayor of Bunceton, and his sons have purchased from J. Bowlin, may of California, Earl Bowlin and Mrs. Dolly Walser the Bowlin-Walser Undertaking establishment of this city and took possession today. Included in the transaction are branches at Olean, Centertown and Elston.
Mr. Wilson was in the furniture and undertaking business at Bunceton for a number of years. About a year ago he sold out there and west west for a time for his health.
The Bowlins have been in the undertaking business here for about 7 years and Mrs. Walser has been associated with them since she purchased an interest in the establishment a year or more ago. J. Bowlin is mayor of California and president of the Chamber of Commerce.
The transaction included only the stock and goodwill. The Bowlins will rent the first floor and basement of the brick building in which the business is located to Mr. Wilson.
The Bowlins will continue to make Calfiornia their home much to the satisfaction of their many friends and will devote their time to their glove factory which was established a few months ago. Mrs. Walser, who is living in Olean, will continue to make her home there or may return to California to live.
Mr. Wilson’s wife is dead and his family consists of his two sons, Leroy and Everett, both of whom are grown and a married daughter, Mrs. B. W. Smith of Memphis, Tenn., who spends the summers at the home of her father. Mr. Wilson and sons have located here. For the present they are at the New Commercial Hotel.
Both Mr. Wilson and Everett are licensed embalmers and graduates of embalming schools. The father has been in the business since 1903 and the son practically grew up in it. He has been licensed for the last 7 years, having worked at various places, including Kansas City and Tulso, Okla.
Mr. Bowlin wishes to recommend Mr. Wilson and son highly to the people of this community.
From the January 12, 1928 California Democrat:
Bowlin With Wilsons
Earl Bowlin has become a member of the force of J. W. Wilson & Sons undertakers, and his services may be secured at any time by calling the undertaking parlors, is is announced by Wilson & Sons in an advertisement in this issue.
From the September 12, 1929 California Democrat:
TO MANAGE NEW STORE
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Earl Bowlin Goes To Jefferson City Concern
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Earl Bowlin of this city will manage a furniture exchange and undertaking company that will be opened September 16 in the Nentwig building at 409 West McCarty street in Jefferson City. This building stands near where the new concrete slab on Highway 50 from the west enters McCarty street.
The business will be operated under the name of the Crevelt-Heinrich Furniture and Undertaking company. Mr. Crevelt operate a furniture store on High street in Jefferson City and Mr. Heinrich is associated with him in the undertaking business.
Mr. Bowlin was connected with the furniture and undertaking business here for a number of years, was well liked by the trade and has a good understanding of these enterprises. Many friends here wish him success in his new connection.
From the August 24, 1933 California Democrat:
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bowlin who had lived in Jefferson City for several years recently moved to Calfiornia and Earl is assisting his father, Jack Bowlin, in operation of the Shell Service station on highway 50. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bowlin occupy the Jennison property on highway 50.
From the November 25, 1937 California Democrat:
JACK BOWLIN OPENS NEW FUNERAL HOME HERE
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Jack Bowlin held the formal opening Saturday and Sunday of his new funeral home, located in the Dr. W. W. Bourn property at 100 South Oak street.
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Mr. Bowlin has furnished the first floor parlors in an exquisite way to provide a chapel and also has his preparation and stock room on that floor. He and Mrs. Bowlin use the second floor for their living quarters.
Mr. Bowlin was in the undertaking business here a number of years, selling out a decade ago and locating in Jefferson City where he and Mrs. Bowlin resided until recently.
From the 1980 History of Moniteau County:
The Bowlin family started in the Undertaking Business in California in 1922. Jack Bowlin, Sr., along with Virgil Morrow, purchased the furniture and undertaking business of Mr. E. C. Nischwitz after his building and business burned. Mr. Morrow later acquired the furniture business and Jack Bowlin, Sr., along with his son Earl, kept the Undertaking. From 1922 to 1927 the Undertaking Establishment was in the building at 301 North High in California’s Downtown Business District. In 1938 Jack Bowlin, Sr. purchased Dr. Bourn’s home, built in the early 1920’s by Mike Kiely and reopened the Funeral Home.
Since 1938 the business has grown at its present location and in 1959 the chapel was added. Jack Bowlin, Sr. died in 1946 so Earl Bowlin, along with his wife Clara, took over the management. In 1958 the business was incorporated with Earl, Clara, Jack and John Bowlin as the officers. In 1976 Earl Bowlin died but the rest of the family are still active [in 1980], along with Carole Beth Bowlin, Janet Bowlin and Randy Howard. Apparently the great-grandchildren of Jack Bowlin, Sr. will pass by the opportunity to be a part of the family enterprise, but there are already six great-great grandchildren so the future still has possibilities.
From the July 17, 1991 California Democrat:
Cantriel’s Purchase Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services
Douglas and Jo Ann Cantriel are pleased to announce that they have purchased the Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Home in California, Mo. on July 1, 1991. Douglas and Jo Ann moved to California in 1984 and live in the funeral home. In July 1985 they purchased one-third of the business and were the first people outside of the Bowlin family to own any of the business for over three generations. In 1988, they purchased additional stock and the name was changed to Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, as it appears today. In 1990, additional stock was purchased with the completed purchase projected for 1991.
The business will continue to operate at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services with the same traditional values as it has operated for over 50 years. Douglas and Jo Ann are pleased to announce that Jack Bowlin will remain with the firm.
Douglas is the son of Alice Dittman and the late George Dittman formerly of Bland. He graduated from Bland High School and the Indiana College of Mortuary Science, and is licensed as a Funeral Director/Embalmer. Jo Ann is the daughter of J. L. and Hilda Maness of Bland, and a graduate of Belle High School. Mrs. Cantriel received her Funeral Directors license in 1981. They have a son, Douglas J. Cantriel, Jr. and a daughter, Kelly.
