Isaac Erb Bowman
As a politician, Isaac Erb Bowman embraced the values of the common
good when he voted in favour of Confederation in 1867. Just one year
later, as a businessman, he embraced these same values when he helped
found the Ontario Mutual Life Assurance Company, the first of its kind
in Canada.
Bowman voted for a federal union, in part because he felt it would protect the British
colonies from any threats from the south. “Our proximity to the United States makes it
necessary that the union should be maintained at any cost,” said the Liberal member for
North Waterloo.
His push for a life insurance company that embraced the principles of mutual benefit and
strength in community, exemplified the reigning beliefs among Waterloo leaders of the
day.
Not surprisingly, Bowman’s reputation in both business and political circles reflected one
another:
“In Parliament he was noted for his sound opinion, his courtesy toward opponents, and
his dignified bearing.”
Bowman served as the president of the insurance company, now Sun Life, until his death
in 1897. A 1906 newspaper account described him as “a man of sterling and
unimpeachable character . . . he was a man of shrewd, sound business and good financial
judgment, combined with a wide practical business experience and extensive personal
connection throughout the country.”
Bowman was born on a farm in St. Jacobs in 1832, the eldest of ten children born to John
Baumann and Lydia Erb. He attended public school and became a teacher after
graduating from Rockwood Academy in 1850. He also served as the treasurer, clerk and
postmaster for Woolwich Township while living in St. Jacobs.
His political aspirations grew and in 1864 he was elected as a Liberal member of the last
Parliament before Confederation. He represented the north riding of Waterloo from 1864
to 1878, and again from 1887 until 1896.
While he was well-known for his leadership of the Ontario Mutual Life Assurance
Company, he began his business career as a senior member of the firm of Bowman and
Zinkan, which operated tanneries in St. Jacobs, Port Elgin and Southampton. He also
served as the president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which was established in
1863, and was involved in the beginnings of the Dominion Life Assurance Company in
1888.
In being named to the Waterloo County Hall of Fame, Bowman was called “one of the
most prominent and competent politicians and businessmen in Waterloo County’s
history.”
Photo courtesy of the Waterloo Public Library
Isaac Erb Bowman (Waterloo 150 Profile)
Description
- Creator
- Gallagher, Beth, Author
- Media Type
- Text
- Image
- Description
- To celebrate Waterloo's 150th anniversary, the Waterloo Public Library published a book called "Profiles from the Past, Faces of the Future." This book featured 150 profiles of people who helped make Waterloo what it is today. This is the digitized profile for Isaac Erb Bowman.
- Notes
- Please visit the Waterloo Public Library to enquire about physical copies of "Profiles from the Past, Faces of the Future."
The Waterloo 150 project was funded by a grant from the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation. Beth Gallagher wrote the profiles with the assistance of many research volunteers. Information for the profiles was gathered from a variety of sources from the community and the Ellis Little Local History Room. Notable sources include the Ellis Little Papers, newspaper clippings, local magazines and books. - Place of Publication
- Waterloo, Ontario
- Date of Publication
- 2007
- Subject(s)
- Personal Name(s)
- Bowman, Isaac Erb
- Language of Item
- English
- Geographic Coverage
-
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Ontario, Canada
Latitude: 43.4668 Longitude: -80.51639
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- Copyright Statement
- Uses other than research or private study require the permission of the rightsholder(s). Responsibility for obtaining permissions and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
- Contact
- Waterloo Public LibraryEmail:askus@wpl.ca
Website:
Agency street/mail address:35 Albert Street, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 5E2
- Full Text
