Jacob Bowman (Sr.)
Jacob Bowman, son of Abraham (Jr.), appears to have been closely connected to his father. Born in Pennsylvania, there is some early census records of we believe his father (including him only as a household count, but no names) in Pennsylvania.
Early Years
Census records from 1850 mention him being born in Pennsylvania which is the only primary source record found to date on Jacob's birth location. Jacob was being raised in the early 1800's perhaps on his grandfather's land. This is during the time of the war of 1812 but no records have been found of incursions directly in his area (current Palmyra, Pennsylvania). Only assumptions can be made that he worked on the family farm either as a farmer or working on the quarrying which may have been a part of the early Bowman homestead.
On his own
Again, there is little found on Jacob and the assumption is that he moved with his father to Stark County, Ohio in the late 1820's (per description of his half brother found here on bottom of first and top of 2nd page). Many Bowman's settled in this area at this time so differentiating them all has been somewhat difficult.
Family
Jacob married Mary Zent on or around 1825. No official on-line records have yet been found to collaborate this but it is a common belief of Bowman researchers such as Mel Bowman, Sara (Sally) Roberts, and Howard Abraham Guernsey. This appears to be before their arrival in Ohio so may very well have occurred in Pennsylvania. Although this is recorded in Mennonite Vital record cards, because this is secondary source we are still pursuing some primary sources.
We do have primary census records of Jacob in 1850 as a farmer along with his wife and children in Baughman, Wayne County, Ohio. We also have an index record of his death on 9/21/1852 as found here. This was within 6 months prior to the death of his father. He appears to be buried at St. Michaels Cemetery, Marshallsville, Wayne County, Ohio.
One final source we have under investigation. It appears like, with Abraham and Jacob passing very close together, there was a 13 year old daughter Mary, who may have gone through guardianship proceedings. Mary's older sister, Suzannah had married a Jacob Stamen. We have almost 50 pages of guardianship papers documenting where a John Stamen, guardian of Mary Bowman, daughter of deceased Jacob Bowman, is selling off land for the good of said Mary. This has land township, range and section information which could be very helpful in identifying land which was Jacob's before his passing in 1852. The document is very big but is available here (might want to right-click and save).
Origin
Demographics: