Obituaries Australia

Thomas Kendall Bowden, late of Newlands, Parramatta, was the eldest son of the late Thomas Wheaton Bowden, an old and respected colonist, and for many years engaged in business in this city. His maternal grandfather, after whom he was named, was the Rev. Thomas Kendall, one of the early missionaries to New Zealand. Mr. Bowden, the subject of this sketch, was born at Ryde, on May 15, 1830, and was consequently at the time of his death in his 50th year. He was educated in part at the Sydney College under Mr. Cape, and afterwards he had the advantage of some years instruction under the Rev. Dr. Woolls. During the latter part of his school course he was of studious habits, and exhibited talents which were more fully developed in his subsequent career. He was articled to his uncle, the late Hon. George Allen, in the year 1848, and was admitted to practice as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the colony in the latter end of the year 1853. Shortly afterwards he became a partner with Mr. (now Sir) George Wigram Allen, with whom and a brother of the latter he continued to carry on successfully a professional business of considerable magnitude. His civility and honourable conduct ensured the respect and esteem of all with whom he was brought into contact, and his urbane and amiable disposition endeared him to all with whom he was associated during his professional career of nearly 30 years. He was for some years a magistrate of the territory, in which capacity he occasionally did good service, and as far as his arduous business engagements allowed he took part in many matters of a social and public character. In 1861 he was married to the daughter of the late Mr. Isaac Shepherd, an old and respected resident of Ryde, and for some time a member of the legislature. This lady, who now survives him, and eight children have to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate parent. The eldest son intends following the profession which his father so honourably and successfully practised for a long term of years. He died at his residence near Parramatta on October 31, and was buried on the following day at Ryde, near the place of his birth. His remains were followed to their last resting place by a large concourse of relations and friends.