Bowles, Minnie, 1868-1958

The Bowles family was deeply involved with Quaker missionary and relief work during the 20th century. Gilbert Bowles was born on October 16, 1869 to Iowa Quaker farmers, Ephraim and Elizabeth Epperson Bowles, and educated at the Jewell County School for teacher training and Northbranch Friends Academy. He taught at various schools before returning to college and earning his BA and MA from William Penn College, Iowa, and his PhD from the University of Chicago, Illinois. Minnie Macy Pickett was born in 1868, the daughter of Evan and Huldah Macy Pickett, and married Gilbert Bowles on December 31, 1898 after teaching for five years at the Tokyo Friends School. They had four children.

Following the birth of their son, Herbert, on October 12, 1900, the Bowles moved to Japan “to share in the Friends work in Tokyo,” (Sketch of Gilbert Bowles’ Life). “Between 1901 and 1941, the Bowles and their growing family served six terms in Japan under the auspices of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (Orthodox) … [and they] managed the Friends School and established the Tokyo Friends Center.” (Historical Dictionary of Friends, p. 30)

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