Asbury, John Cornelius, 1862-1941

David B. Bowser (1820-1900) was the son of Elizabeth and Jeremiah Bowser. He was a noted emblem designer and Painter, A friend of President Lincoln, Bowser painted many portraits of Lincoln, including one which the President sat for. He painted flags for many of the Black troops who participated in the Civil War. Photographs of some of these flags can be found in Series M. Bowser was an active abolitionist. He perhaps was most active as a member of the United Order of Odd Fellows. He held numerous positions in that organization.

John C. Asbury was the husband of Ida E. Bowser Asbury. He was a prominent Philadelphia lawyer, a business man, an elected official and a supporter of charitable work in Philadelphia's Black community Asbury, was also a noted lecturer who often spoke on the subject of racial uplift and equality. He was an assistant prosecutor and an early patron of the noted singer Marian Anderson.