Jesse Gray Bowen Jr. was born on this day in 1913, in Forsyth County, to Jesse G. and Mabel Douglas Bowen.
His father owned Jesse G. Bowen and Company, which he founded in 1918. However, his father’s roots in the piano and organ business can be traced to his earlier business association with his brother beginning in 1902.
When his father established Jesse G. Bowen Music Company in 1939, he took his son, Jesse G. Bowen Jr., as his partner. The business was located at 217 W. Fifth Street at this time.
Jesse Jr. was married to Marian Davis. He was a member of First Christian Church, the Elks Lodge, and the National Association of Music Merchants.
When he passed away in 1976, he was the owner of the Jesse G. Bowen Music Company.
The photo above is a view of West Fifth Street in 1961, looking east. Jesse Bowen Music Company is one of the businesses at the left, beside Advance Hardware.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
