Ohio Bowlby Ghost Still Visiting His Former Home

Recently, while conducting the research which eventually established that David Eugene Bowlby of Cape Coral, FL is a Samuel (8) descendant, telephone contact was made with Mrs. Lucille Bowlby of Galion, Crawford County, Ohio, the widow of David Eugene’s paternal uncle, Donald Eugene Bowlby.  Lucille Bowlby shared the following experience in a very matter of fact and convincing manner.  She has been living in the house which once belonged to her late husband's grandfather, Salamis Bowlby, since 1940.  She couldn’t remember exactly when Salamis died, but she indicated it was over 50 years ago.  (Salamis was born on 23AUG1844 in Stark County, Ohio.)  In any event, on numerous occasions she was awakened in the middle of the night to see Salamis’ ghost looking at her.  After a few moments, his ghost left the upstairs bedroom and went down the stairs and through a stairwell wall.  On other occasions she has heard the light switch near the work bench in the basement go on and after a while go off again.  (In life Salamis was known for his ingenuity in mechanics!)  David Eugene Bowlby reports that he, too, has experienced the presence of his paternal great-grandfather’s ghost while staying in an upstairs bedroom in his Aunt Lucille’s home overnight.  It has been said that, when the ghost of a departed person lingers in this world, there is some reason why he or she has difficulty letting go of his or her mortal life and going to eternal rest.  What could be Salamis Bowlby’s reason for continuing to visit his former home in Galion, Ohio?  He served with the 49th Ohio Infantry in the American Civil War and participated in several major battles.  He was severely wounded on 31DEC1862 and taken captive and held in a prison at Atlanta, Georgia by the Confederate forces for 69 days.  After the war, he bought land and began truck farming, supplying towns around Galion with garden produce.  He served on the local school board, was a member of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows and the Methodist Church, and was an uncompromising Republican, though independent in local elections.  Perhaps he found his life here on earth so interesting, he still isn’t ready to leave completely!

Wayne Bowlby

The Bowlby Family News

Fall 2003