William Bismarck Bowling

William Bismarck Bowling served as a Representative from Alabama in the United States Congress from 1919 to 1929. A member of the Democratic Party, William Bismarck Bowling contributed to the legislative process during 5 terms in office.

William Bismarck Bowling’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, William Bismarck Bowling participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

William Bismarck Bowling (September 24, 1870 – December 27, 1946) was a U.S. Representative from Alabama. Born in Iron City, Calhoun County, Alabama to William and Sarah Elston Bowling, William Bismarck Bowling attended the common schools, and graduated from the State normal school, Jacksonville, Alabama, in 1892. He taught in the public schools of Montgomery, Alabama from 1893 to 1895 and of Columbus, Georgia from 1896 to 1899. He then moved to LaFayette, Alabama, where he studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1900 and commenced practice in LaFayette. In 1902, he moved to Dadeville, Alabama and practiced there for twelve years. He served as solicitor of the fifth judicial circuit of Alabama 1905-1920, and as member of the board of trustees of Alabama Polytechnic Institute at Auburn. Bowling was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-sixth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of J. Thomas Heflin. He was reelected to the Sixty-seventh and to the three succeeding Congresses and served from December 14, 1920, until his resignation effective August 16, 1928, having been appointed judge for the fifth judicial circuit of Alabama, in which capacity he served until his death. He was married to the former Frances (Fannie) Steele Collins of Lafayette, Alabama. They had four children: George Randolph Bowling, Marion Elston Bowling Jenkins, Sarah Frances Bowling Frazer, and Elizabeth Jane Bowling; four grandchildren: George Randolph Bowling Jr., Susan Bowling Dudney, Jane Bowling Frazer McCurry, and William Bismarck Bowling II. Bowling died in LaFayette, Alabama, on December 27, 1946. He was interred in LaFayette Cemetery.