born near columbiana, ohio, bowersock moved to iowa city, iowa, in 1860 and engaged in mercantile pursuits and grain shipping. he moved to lawrence, kansas, in 1877 and engaged in banking and in the manufacture of flour, paper, and barbed wire. he served as mayor of lawrence 1881-1885. bowersock was elected to the kansas house of representatives in 1887. he served as a member of the kansas state senate in 1895.