> Does anyone know who the blacksmith was that patented the oat sowing >device? My great grandfather, John Edward Bowden, was a blacksmith in this >region at the time. Linda, I don't know the answer to your question, but did see a Richard BOWDEN in an article at the Wisconsin Historial Society Digital Library & Archives. The Dodgeville Sun article, dated January 13, 1906, states: "Richard Bowden of Galena, who is 83 years old, has been in the [lead and zinc mining] business for 60 years." =============== Always use real butter. =============== Mary Thiele Fobian Writer/Editor Pacific Grove, CA