Harry Bowser Explained

Harry E. Bowser
State House:Pennsylvania
District:4th
Term Start:January 2, 1979
Term End:November 30, 1988
Predecessor:Forest Hopkins
Successor:Tom Scrimenti
Birth Date:13 September 1931
Birth Place:Brookville, Pennsylvania[1]
Death Place:North East Township, Pennsylvania
Party:Republican
Occupation:Politician, barber
Spouse:Carol Lee
Children:3

Harry Eugene Bowser (September 13, 1931 – February 22, 2024) was a barber, grape farmer, and Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1979 to 1988, serving Erie County.[2] He was a Korean War veteran.

Biography

Bowser was born on September 13, 1931 in Brookville, Pennsylvania. He attended Brookville High School and later barber school. From 1949 to 1952, Bowser served in the United States Marine Corps in the Korean War.[3]

Upon his return to the United States, Bowser worked as a barber until 1972, when he and his wife Carol bought a 65-acre grape farm.[4]

Bowser's first foray into politics was as a councilor for North East Township in 1969 and in 1978 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, ultimately serving for four consecutive terms. As a representative, Bowser served as the state house Republican caucus administrator and in the Special Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Food and Cheese Distribution in 1984. He lost reelection in 1988.

Personal life

Bowser married Carol Lee MacTarnaghan in 1955. They had three sons; Timothy, Dennis, and Andrew.

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Pennsylvania Manual. Pennsylvania. Dept. of General Services. Pennsylvania. Bureau of Publications. Pennsylvania. Dept. of Property and Supplies. 1987. 108. Department of General Services. 2015-02-27.
  2. Web site: Cox . Harold . House Members B . Wilkes University . Wilkes University Election Statistics Project.
  3. Web site: Harry E. Bowser . April 28, 2024 . PA House of Representatives Archives.
  4. Web site: Harry Bowser Obituary . April 28, 2024 . Erie Times-News . en.