Isaac Erb Bowman

Isaac Erb Bowman was one of the most prominent and competent politicians and businessmen in Waterloo County’s history. Born on a St. Jacobs’s farm, he was educated at the local public school and Rockwood Academy and taught school for ten years. He lived in St. Jacobs for most of his life. In his early years he was a municipal clerk, treasurer of Woolwich Township and St. Jacobs postmaster.

In 1864 he was elected as a Liberal to the last parliament of old Canada, and represented with distinction the north riding of Waterloo from 1864 to1878 and from 1887 to1896.

Bowman was senior member of the firm of Bowman and Zinkan that operated tanneries in St. Jacobs, Port Elgin and Southampton. He was one of the founders of the Ontario Mutual Life Assurance Company (now the Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada) and was president from 1870 to 1897. He was also president of the Mercantile Fire Insurance Company.