Book keeping memories of North Shore's Jim Bowler alive

(Editor’s note: Daily Union news editor Randall Dullum had the privilege of sitting down with Jim Bowler at his home this summer to interview him about his book “Koshkonong Story: Life on the North Shore with the Bowlers.” Following the interview, the two took a leisurely drive along the north shore of Lake Koshkonong with Bowler pointing out things that had changed over the years and those things which have remained essentially the same. Bowler died just shortly thereafter; it was no doubt the last interview he gave about the place he had come to know and love so well for so long. We are pleased to share his memories with readers today.)

KOSHKONONG — A man who lived nearly all of his life along the north shore of Lake Koshkonong, and chronicled his recollections there in a book, is being remembered for his love of the Great Outdoors.


Jim Bowler died Aug. 11 at age 91 following a battle with lung cancer. Before he passed away, however, he became a published author last March at the age of 90 with his book, “Koshkonong Story: Life on the North Shore with the Bowlers.”

Growing up, Bowler, an avid outdoorsman, spent his days along the north shore of that expansive lake hunting, fishing, working hard, weathering the hardships of the Great Depression, and later getting married and raising a family. These experiences are recounted in his book with both candor and good humor.


The book, which had a first run of 200 copies, was written by Fort Atkinson author John R. Mansavage based upon his many conversations with Bowler. The book’s introduction was penned by retired Fort Atkinson High School biology teacher Richard Wanie, an ardent and knowledgeable bird enthusiast and writer of the “Outdoors Calling” column, which appears periodically in the Daily Jefferson County Union.


LIFE ON THE SHORE — Before he passed away Aug. 11 at age 91, Jim Bowler became a published author last March at age 90 with his book, “Koshkonong Story: Life on the North Shore with the Bowlers.” Bowler is pictured above in June standing by a willow tree on the north shore of Lake Koshkonong. — Daily Union photo by Randall Dullum


Bowler’s softcover book — with “thanks to friends and neighbors, past, present and future” — is illustrated with extensive photos of Jim and his family and friends through the years. Copies sell for $20 each and are available at the Fort Atkinson Area Senior Citizens Center.

“I ain’t worried about selling it,” Bowler said of his book this past June. “The idea is getting the message out about the history of the whole (North Shore) area down there.”


And what an adventurous and storied history it is. (The full story appears in the Sept. 28 Daily Union)