Alice Hannah (Pfohl) Bowker 1878-1935

While the Pfohl Family was living in the Daggaboers Nek- and the Kommadagga Areas the following children were born:-

Alice Hannah Pfohl, who was born on the 6th June, 1878. On the 23rd December, 1912, at the Farm "Daylesford", near Thebus (Steynsburg District), she married William Henry Bowker, the son of William Henry and Helena Whiliamina (nee Snyman) Bowker and a grandson of the Honourable Robert Mitford and Agnes (nee Bowen) Bowker, M.L.A. (Cape).

Two daughters - Phoebe, born on the 11th November, 1916 and died on the 3rd September, 1961 in Johannesburg and Enid Erica, born on the 1st January, 1920 in Middelburg, Cape - were born of the marriage.

The Bowkers farmed in the neighbourhood of Piet Retief, Transvaal - mainly wattle cultivation and sheep. Alice, who was interested in native folklore, used to persuade the elder farm servants to speak of their heritage and, from the notes she made, she composed interesting tales, many of which, I understand, were published in a Johannesburg newspaper or the "Outspan" of Bloemfontein.

At some time in her life - probably as a teenager - Alice had a pet meercat, which, one day, bit her on the lower portion of one of her legs and, as the wound would not heal, it was necessary for the limb to be amputated below the knee.

The operation was performed by Dr. Atherstone in Grahamstown.

By Edna Clare Sparkman – 10 September 1983

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